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Muscle dent from contact with a tree root after falling

Posted by b048048 @b048048, Jul 1, 2021

Last summer the front wheel of my mountain bike bounced off the side of a large tree root and I was thrown on the ground with my thigh against the root and the bike on top of me. I iced the area but was left with a dent in my thigh muscle that has not gone away. Am wondering if this is something permanent. Have no pain from it and exercise as normal with no issues. Is purely cosmetic.

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Mentor
Lori, Volunteer Mentor | @loribmt | Jul 2, 2021

Hi @b048048 and welcome to Mayo Clinic Connect. We’re an online community forum where members come together to use our experiences and valuable insights gathered along our life journies to help each other. We’re not medical professionals so we can’t diagnose but we can offer suggestions and help find answers.

Searching our forum, I’ve found other members who have dents in their muscles, however they all seem to stem from a medical issue. You have an actual cause and effect so that’s not a concern.
On a personal note, when I was 14 our toboggan careened into a tree…not going into detail as the 14 year old driving (me) was an idiot at the time! LOL.
Anyway, the impact left a permanent dent in my shinbone and inside muscle parallel to the shin. I’m now 67 and the dent is still there…I wear it as a badge of honor or shame…you choose. 😀

There’s been absolutely no issue with walking, biking, hiking, etc. So maybe check with a physician, or physical therapist sometime to see if there are any specific exercises which might restore some semblance of normalcy to your muscle. If not, you’ll be able to show your grandkids someday and prove it with the scar! The epic battle with the root vs tire!

Stay safe out there! Another old lady telling you to make good choices!! 😂 Lori

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Mentor
Sue, Volunteer Mentor | @sueinmn | Jul 2, 2021

As @loribmt says, we try more things in life, we gain not only experience, but souvenirs. I would call this one of those - or a battle scar - you did battle with a tree root & it was a draw - no permanent damage, but the root left its mark.
If you are at all concerned about it, snap a pic with your cell phone and check again next year to see if it has changed.
Sue

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b048048 | @b048048 | Jul 2, 2021

Thanks Lori and Sue. I've been running and road cycling many years and have many scars from contact with the ground, just no thigh dents! May try massaging it to see if the "sides" level out over time. I rode 6,300 miles last year and swim 8,000 yards a week so I don't think there are any exercises that will help since I'm using my thigh muscle quite a bit 🙂

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Moderator
Colleen Young, Connect Director | @colleenyoung | Jul 3, 2021
In reply to @b048048 "Thanks Lori and Sue. I've been running and road cycling many years and have many scars..." + (show)
@b048048

Thanks Lori and Sue. I've been running and road cycling many years and have many scars from contact with the ground, just no thigh dents! May try massaging it to see if the "sides" level out over time. I rode 6,300 miles last year and swim 8,000 yards a week so I don't think there are any exercises that will help since I'm using my thigh muscle quite a bit 🙂

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You might also be interested in this related discussion:
- "Dents" in leg muscles: https://connect.mayoclinic.org/discussion/dents-in-leg-muscles/

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