About 90 minutes ago I was raking leaves. As I was walking through a pile of leaves, pushing against them as I went, I heard my left leg pop. I dropped to the ground immediately.

At this point, I can walk stiff-legged and bend my knee. It is painful. The top of my left thigh is swollen and very hard. I have had ice packs on it at least half of the time since it happened. I also took 2 Tylenol.

What have I done? Do I need to seek treatment? What should I do at home?

Thank you.

I'd go to the ER. I rarely suggest that.
But you could have a femoral aneurysm, rather than something that went in your knee. They are rare, but because of the swelling of your thigh, I think you should go.

One of the major signs of a possible femoral aneurysm is the ability to easily find and feel the pulse at the back of the knee, called the popliteal pulse. If an aneurysm is present, the pulse may be easily found and felt as throbbing.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joypulv

I'd go to the ER. I rarely suggest that.
But you could have a femoral aneurysm, rather than something that went in your knee. They are rare, but because of the swelling of your thigh, I think you should go.

One of the major signs of a possible femoral aneurysm is the ability to easily find and feel the pulse at the back of the knee, called the popliteal pulse. If an aneurysm is present, the pulse may be easily found and felt as throbbing.

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Joy, how can you say this! You are not a nurse or a doctor. Even knowing as much as I do as an RNAPSW I can't, would not, diagnose like this.

I CLEARLY did not in any way shape or form diagnose.
I want this person to go to the ER rather than sit home with ice on his or her knee, because it COULD be serious.
Please tell me where I diagnosed. I have NEVER diagnosed.

Quote:

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Originally Posted by joypulv

I CLEARLY did not in any way shape or form diagnose.
I want this person to go to the ER rather than sit home with ice on his or her knee, because it COULD be serious.
Please tell me where I diagnosed. I have NEVER diagnosed.

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So what the heck is 'you could have a femoral aneurism', is not diagnosing ?

'Could' and 'possible' are obvious disclaimers.
Words many of us use here day in and day out.
If this site exists for the response 'go see a doctor' to all questions, then it should eliminate the category and just have a sticky saying so.
There is not one shred of harm in suggesting things that MIGHT be serious. It is the exact opposite of saying 'don't worry about it and keep putting ice on it.'
If you have a suggestion for the OP, make it.

I am not going to argue in front of an OP. The OP asked a nurses advice, and you are not one, but your reply certainly sounds like you are and that is not right.

Your leg popped. Was it your knee or your hip? I don't see that you mentioned that. From a nursing standpoint your description could be either.