In the picture below you'll see some of the blocks from the big white oak we took down during our GTG last month. Needless to say, not only are some of these things big, they are a bit on the heavy side too. Well, the last time I was splitting some of these buggers one of the big ones fell (those corners are sharp) and my leg just happened to act as a brake for it. Yes, the block stopped but I did not stop dancing for a little bit. Now I was hoping that would heal quickly and mostly it has but is still extremely tender. It hit about halfway between the knee and the ankle. Needless to say, I got a huge knot from it and a bit of black and blue. At first all the black and blue was near the swelling but eventually it has gone clear down below the ankle. Also this thing is so tender that one day I tried to wear some high boots but could not because just the boot rubbing was more than I wanted. A few nights ago my feet were so cold during the night (a common problem with me) I put on some heavy wool socks. In the morning when I woke up that leg was so sore I really didn't even want to walk on it but it got better. This morning I put on my high shoes which are several inches below the swelling but they hurt on the front of the leg. My wife is worried that I perhaps cracked a leg bone. It is possible I think but as I asked her, "What if it is cracked? I don't think anything can be done for it so I'll just carry on." What think you?
Only time I broke a foot bone (several actually) no way could I walk on it. In fact, just standing the throbbing was far too much. Pretty much had to keep my foot level with or above the level of my heart to make the pain stop, for a week. A bruised bone, hematoma and contusions usually respond to ice packs when they first happen but after that you might want warmth rather than coolth to help it along. If I had a black and blue spot that was expanding I'd probably see my Doc or stop in the local med clinic, if for no other reason than to have a Pro's eyes eyeball it.
Fire Flake says “Settle Down Dennis!!!!” I say you’d benefit from some local MI FHC guys helping out, or just let it sit until your leg clears up... please do take it easy Dennis- you ain’t no spring chicken anymore.
Ouch! I'm so sorry. Seems like a good idea to see a doctor Dennis. Whether it is or is not broken, a fracture or even a deep tissue bruise or whatever it's the doc that will tell you what they can do about it. They have cool casts these days, super light velcro over air pillows and who knows what else to help you out while this heals. ETA Dennis, WWW recently bumped his foot, a simple bump and could hardly walk? Turns the bump swelled just a little bit but it was enough to inflame bone spurs he did know he had. Never would have known if he didn't see a doc....
See a Dr., and get an air cast leg boot. It makes stumping around a lot less painful. Also, you don't want to risk getting a blood clot in your leg. Take care of yourself.
Yeah, I’m no doc. Worries me that the black and blue traveled. Traveling is not good. People with diabetes for instance can get severe problems in their legs from trauma. My advice would be see a doc. Even one of those minute clinics in the pharmacy is better than nothing. And yes, I’m just learning that white oak stuff is heavy
Take care of yourself ! That oak can just sit and sit some more. How you gonna ride that fancy bike all banged up ? And a possible blood clot is nothing to play around with. School is letting out, why not rent a kid.
Yes, seeing a dr makes sense. Think of it as an investment in yourself so you can get back to wood cutting.
I'm with the members who think you should see the doctor, while you're there, get that leg checked out.
^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^ What he said, we can come bust those up sometime Dennis. Wow, thanks Screwloose , haven't been called a kid in years.
If it only black and blued you possibly just bruised the bone. Now if it turned all sort of rainbow colors you did more. I broke my shoulder and it turned all sorts of shades of purples and blues around my shoulder and down my sides. I'm always smacking my shins, I'll smack it two more times before the one is healed. As we get older it takes longer for crap to heal, it sucks I don't have time for that stuff! I've got people to see places to go and things to DO!
Dennis You need to see a Dr. I fell off a ladder a few years ago bruised my knee. It hurt but i was able to walk or actually limp around on it but it just would not stop hurting. After two weeks I finally went to the Dr. and had xrays taken and found out i had two hair line cracks in the large leg bone ( cant remember what it is called ). Ended up in cast for 9 or ten weeks.
I've taken blows to my shins, hips and even my face where a bruise didn't develop in full for a couple days and I'm a bit younger than you. Keep an eye on it and if it gets worse see a Dr. I guess.
I can't like our head mentor and friend getting hurt. Probably a bone bruise, but they can take longer to heal than a break. Go let the Doc check it out. That oak can wait a few weeks. You are probably on the 4yr plan by now...
Yes, get to an urgent care place this weekend, if it's something serious you can get an ambulance ride to a hospital. If you can't walk, Medicare pays for the ambulance ride. No sense in putting it off, if you're in pain.
Somehow I can just picture her standing there with her hands on her hips and reading me the riot act! Actually I probably should not even have posted this as it has been well over a week now and I am able to walk. Please don't worry. As for the guys coming to help out, I would not ask that as there really is no need. Besides, I like the splitting and stacking. Yes, I used to be able to do it for many hours at a time but now it is maybe 1-2 hours at most. So it just takes a bit longer but I don't mind. This is from Judy: Don't feel too sorry for him guys because he won't listen to me when I tell him to sit down nor will he put his leg up in the air. Okay Judy. Okay. Now go to your room.
