Divot on quad after crushing-type injury

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GWestphal

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Jul 22, 2009
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About 6 months ago I ran into the 90 degree corner of a metal railing by a subway entrance whilst walking and talking. We're talking didn't see it at all, so it was a full body weight in motion hit, (200 lbs @ 3mph into 0.1 sq in) dead on perpendicular to the the bone/muscle. I had a 6 in diameter swollen bruise for about 4 weeks.

Flash foward 6 months, I notice in my quad muscle that there is now a good half inch divot in the muscle in that area compared to the surrounding muscle.

It doesn't hurt or anything, but should I be concerned about increased potential of tearing if I'm working out or what not? How to build that divot back up to normal size? Or is it just gone for good?
 
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Mar 22, 2002
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If you hit it sufficiently hard to cause local muscle damage, it may actually be fibrosis/scarring. If there is a lot of damage to the area, you will essentially re-absorb the damaged muscle tissue and repair it with scar tissue. With that, you lose the muscle bulk and slow down a flat layer of scar tissue. Scar tissue usually has a max of 80% of the tensile strength that healthy muscle tissue does so technically yes you will be at a slight increased risk of injury.

To be honest though, if you're strength training at the appropriate intensity, it shouldn't be too much of a problem. Just make sure you're not over doing the volume.
 

Cerpin Taxt

Lifer
Feb 23, 2005
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I got heel-cleated on the outside of my thigh during a rugby game a few years ago. Left the same kinda marks you describe, and to this day I can run my hand down the side of my leg and feel the two indentations.

Hasn't seemed to affect my strength or disposition in any significant way, though, after it healed.
 
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