What can I do to fix the dent in my right thigh? (Photo)

Question

In September of last year (2013), roughly nine months ago, I fell onto the ridge of a low dressing table. I fell HARD with a heavy shelf on top of me from behind, & this resulted in a very severe subdermal hematoma on my thigh. The bruising didn't go away for over a month. Eventually the bruise disappeared, but I was left with a dent in my thigh. Is massaging the area effective treatment or do I need fat injected? It's unsightly, about an inch in diameter and a more than a few centimeters deep.

Larry S. Nichter, MD, MS, FACS · Answer

This is a common case of post traumatic fat loss. It can be improved with fat transfer. Sometimes more than one session may be required. For smaller areas like yours this can be performed as an office procedure.

Kenneth Hughes, MD · Answer

Fat grafting is a very powerful tool in cases of traumatic tissue loss like this.Kenneth Hughes, MDLos Angeles, CA

Michele A. Shermak, MD · Answer

You have provided adequate time for the trauma to resolve. If you still have a contour deformity, fat grafting is worthy of consideration. Medical evaluation is warranted as well to see if your asymmetry requires further diagnostic testing. Good luck!

Trevor M. Born, MD · Answer

Dear blvnycThank you for your question and photo!  OUCH!  Micro Fat Grafting is a good procedure to correct the indent.  It may take more than one procedure- a couple of months apart to get the contour corrected.With Warm Regards,Trevor M Born MD

Kim Taylor, FRACS · Answer

Hi.  At 9 months any further massaging is unlikely to change the dent.  It is most likely that the injury has caused some of your fat to "split" & it has healed this way.  The best option for you is fat grafting.  This would be a relatively minor procedure for you to go through and is very likely to provide you with excellent results.  But be aware that there is a possibility of requiring more than 1 treatment.  All the best.  Regards Kim

Steven Wallach, MD · Answer

Fat transfer may be a possibility and release of the scar.  Best to be seen in person to be properly evaluated. Good luck. It may take more than one treatment with fat.

Alyson Wells, MD, FACS · Answer

So sorry to hear you had an injury which is still negatively impacting you.  Your dent is the result of localized trauma and death of the fat cells.  The best intervention to restore contour would be micro fat grafting, which involves liposuction of donor fat from one area and transferring it in a very controlled and precise way into the concave area to restore height of the area.  Because of the scar tissue which has has replaced the lost fat, you also would likely benefit from a bit of cannula undermining (liposuction without the suction and fat removal) in the depressed area to break up the scar and allow the transferred fat to plump the area as much as possible.  Best wishes!

Samir Shureih, MD · Answer

Traumatic thigh dent is difficult to correct. There is scarring loss of fat causing the dent. Fat grafting and three dimensional release of the scar with fat grafting is your best alternative.

Timothy Connall, MD, FACS · Answer

Such problems can sometimes be improved with fat grafting- Sometimes requiring more than one surgery.  Please see a board certified plastic surgeon to explore this in a consultation.Best wishes.

What can I do to fix the dent in my right thigh? (Photo)

Answers (9)

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