Advocacy & Safety - Blunt Trauma on Shins?

Hey all,

lurk around here sometimes but havent really posted / joined.

I was recently bicycling (yesterday) when i tried getting into a driveway at a plaza to eat lunch. Unfortunately, I was unable to clear the driveway (it was approx 2 inches high) and i toppled over onto my side.

I got up and checked for any injuries / pains and i felt that i had no broken bones or anything.

My pants at the knee were torn on my right and i have a small scab (and bruising)

However, on my left, something has hit the shin (pedal probably) enough to create a small groove that goes across horizontally.

Is it possible that this is a bone fracture?
http://img194.imageshack.us/img194/4097/21347790.png

quick paint job to illustrate the area

It has no signs of bleeding or visible bruising, but the area is a bit swollen and when i poke at the area, it definitely feels that the pedal has left a grove along the bone. This wasn't apparent to me when i fell and had my lunch because i thought it was just bruising and i was able to walk fine.

(Any similar stories / words of advice??)
I know this isn't medical advice, but im just wondering if this is worth going to the doctors office.

Bikes are great fun, no?


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I did that a few years ago and got sick enough to need to go to the croaker. It eventually cleared up thanks to drugs and health care, keep an eye on things and hopefully you won't have to do the same.

(Any similar stories / words of advice??)
I know this isn't medical advice, but im just wondering if this is worth going to the doctors office.

Keep a close eye on things and your health... any signs of a fever, go to doc immediately.

I had a similar injury years ago and ended up with a staph infection in the leg where I was bruised. Bad scene. No break in skin, but the shin doesn't get good circulation there in the front and the area managed to become infected. Eventually with a drain (yuk) and strong antibiotics, it was all cleared up.

If it was a bone fracture, you'd feel it.

Relax, its just bruised.

If it was a bone fracture, you'd feel it.

Relax, its just bruised.Do you mean the OP would feel the pain, or do you mean the OP would feel the break?

OP, if you really want to know what it is, you need to see a doctor. Could be anything from a bruised bone, to a fracture (hairilne, even), to a crushing injury. No way to tell without a doctor examining it, but if it feels like it's only a minor injury, probably not necessary to go to a doctor.

Do you mean the OP would feel the pain

This

The easiest way to check is to grab your leg on either side of the suspected fracture point and see if you can bend it. Make sure not to bend to far, you don't want it to snap off.