How long does it take a hematoma to heal?

Question

Does this condition have any effect on the mucles surrounding it-
arm,hand and elbow. What are the symptoms if there is an infection?
This has been caused by a blood draw at the elbow for a routine blood check up 4 weeks ago.Still have pain which increases when the hand is exerted. Has burning sensation sometimes and muscle tenderness on the outerside of the arm and slight swelling/stiffeness on the innerside of the forearm and the elbow
Been to 2 pcp's said it will go away and been to a vascular surgeon who didn't say any different and never checked what the symptoms were and did not give me any satisfactory answers which I expected from an expert!). Hence with no answers I am troubled more than ever. This situation is interfering with my daily activities and with people around me.
Please give me serious advice to help with my concerns with your experiences or checking with your doctor friends.
This would mean a lot to me and I will have peace of mind.
Thanks for your time

Answer 1

It sounds like you have a soft tissue hematoma in the antecubital fossa from where they stuck a vein. Sometimes after blood draws, the vessel will continue bleeding under the skin. This eventually stops.

Signs of infection would be redness over the area that blanches to white when you press it, warmth to the touch, and perhaps drainage of purulent (pus-like) yellow fluid.

If it's a simple swelling without signs of infection, I would agree with the PCP's and the vascular surgeon. It's just a matter of time for your body to reabsorb the blood. A vascular surgery consult was probably not necessary as those guys mostly do work on the arteries and there is nothing really surgical to do for what you've got. The burning sensation is likely due to inflammation around that area.

To help improve clot lysis (breakdown of the hematoma) you can put warm compresses over it. This may contribute a little bit to more inflammation and pain, but it will resolve more quickly. If the hematoma is infected, it needs to be surgically drained.

Hope this helps.

Answer 2

Awww poor puff eared puppy... Sorry, but your best bet is the operation. If you drain it yourself it may just come back right away. If you leave it, your dog will be very uncomfortable. The vet told me it would take probably a year or more for it to go away on it's own and my dog would have a cauliflower ear. He drained the hematoma and it came back the next day. I didn't want my dog to suffer... So I got the surgery too. Today my dog is healthy and happy... And that's priceless. Good Luck:)