A contusion can result from falling or jamming the body against a hard surface. Contusions cause swelling and pain, and limit joint range of motion near the injury. Torn blood vessels may cause bluish discoloration. The injured muscle may feel weak and stiff.
Is a contusion serious?
Most contusions are minor and heal quickly, without taking the athlete away from the game. Severe contusions, however, can cause deep tissue damage and lead to complications that may prevent an athlete from being able to play sports for months.
How long does it take for a contusion to heal?
Most contusions simply need time to heal. Soft tissue contusions can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to heal. Bone contusions may take longer — usually a couple of months — depending on how severe the injury is.
How do you fix a contusion?
How are Contusions or Bruises Treated? Initial treatment for contusion should include rest, icing the affected area for 20 minutes, and applying a compression wrap to help minimize swelling. If there is an accompanying open wound, keep the area clean and bandaged.
What are the 3 types of contusions?
The three types of contusions are intramuscular contusions, intermuscular contusions, and bone bruises. With an intramuscular contusion, the muscle is torn within the sheath that surrounds it.
Do contusions get worse over time?
Follow-up care. Sometimes a bruise gets worse instead of better. It may become larger and more swollen. This can occur when your body walls off a small pool of blood under the skin (hematoma).
What is the fastest way to heal a bone contusion?
How is a bone bruise treated?Resting the bone or joint.Applying ice to the area several times a day.Raising the injury above the level of your heart to reduce swelling.Taking medicine to reduce pain and swelling.Wearing a brace or other device to limit movement, if needed.
Should I see a doctor for a contusion?
Deep-tissue contusions may cause pain and swelling. But if there is no serious damage, they will often get better in a few weeks with home treatment. The doctor has checked you carefully, but problems can develop later. If you notice any problems or new symptoms, get medical treatment right away.
When should I be concerned about a contusion?
Pain that lasts longer than 2-3 days. Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks. Potential broken bone. Trauma in the head or neck.
Do contusions heal themselves?
With rest, most contusions will heal within a few days. Very large contusions, however, may take several weeks to heal.
What is the difference between a bruise and a contusion?
A bruise, also known as a contusion, typically appears on the skin after trauma such as a blow to the body. It occurs when the small veins and capillaries under the skin break. A hematoma is a collection (or pooling) of blood outside the blood vessel.
How do you diagnose a contusion?
Symptoms can include pain, swelling, muscle soreness and bluish discoloration of the skin that will usually start to decrease after a couple of days. Diagnosis is usually based on a physical examination of the bruised part of the body. Imaging tests may be needed to rule out other causes.
Is contusion a soft or hard tissue injury?
A contusion (bruise) is an injury to the soft tissue often produced by a blunt force, such as a kick, fall, or blow. The result will be pain, swelling, and discoloration because of bleeding into the tissue. Treatment for contusions includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.).
How long does a contusion bruise last?
It can take months for a bruise to fade, but most last about two weeks. They start off a reddish color, and then turn bluish-purple and greenish-yellow before returning to normal. To reduce bruising, ice the injured area and elevate it above your heart.
When should I be concerned about a contusion?
Pain that lasts longer than 2-3 days. Persistent bruising for more than 2 weeks. Potential broken bone. Trauma in the head or neck.
What is the fastest way to heal a muscle contusion?
Your doctor may also recommend the RICE method:Rest. Protect your injury from further damage by stopping unnecessary physical activity.Ice. Apply ice to your injury to reduce pain, swelling, and bleeding. ... Compression. Wrap your injury with a bandage to provide additional support. ... Elevation.
What is the difference between a bruise and a contusion?
A bruise, also known as a contusion, typically appears on the skin after trauma such as a blow to the body. It occurs when the small veins and capillaries under the skin break. A hematoma is a collection (or pooling) of blood outside the blood vessel.
What is a contusion?
Contusions can occur in any muscle, with the hamstrings and calf muscles being common locations. A hard impact causes local muscular damage and bleeding as the muscle is crushed against the underlying bone. The muscle then bleeds creating a hematoma.
What causes contusions in the body?
Contusion symptoms. A contusion will be caused by a direct trauma to the muscle. Depending on the severity of the injury, the patient may have continued to play, or they may be unable to move or walk. Contracting the injured muscle will be painful. Swelling may appear over the area initially and bruising may or may not develop later depending on ...
What is the term for tearing of the muscle and part of the sheath surrounding it?
Intermuscular hematoma is a tearing of the muscle and part of the sheath surrounding it.
How long does it take for swelling to go down after a contusion?
If after two to three days the swelling has not gone, then it is probably an intramuscular injury (bleeding contained within the muscle). However, if the bleeding has spread and caused bruising away from the site of the injury then it is probably an intermuscular injury. Intermuscular contusions often result in the patient having greater movement and ability to contract the muscle.
Why does intramuscular hematoma stop bleeding?
This means that the initial bleeding may stop early within hours because of increased pressure within the muscle , however, the fluid is unable to escape as the muscle sheath prevents it.
What is a contusion in sports?
Contusions are common in contact sports during tackles and also in events where a hard object (such as a ball) moves at high pace. Contusions should not be confused with a muscle strain, which tends to occur as a result of a sudden movement or burst of speed, and should be treated slightly differently to strains.
How long does it take to get out of competition with a grade 3 contusion?
Contracting the muscle may produce a visible bulge or gap in the muscle. Expect to be out of competition for 3 to 12 weeks.
What is a muscle contusion?
Description. Muscle contusions, or bruises, are second only to strains as a leading cause of sports injuries. Most contusions are minor and heal quickly, without requiring the athlete to be removed from the game.
What happens when you hit a body part?
When a part of the body is struck by enough force to crush underlying muscle fibers and connective tissue without breaking the skin , a contusion may occur. A fall, jamming the body against a hard surface, a direct blow, or repeated blows from a blunt object are among the many common causes of contusions.
What does it mean when you have a lump on your hematoma?
A lump that forms over the injury (hematoma) indicates that a pool of blood has collected within the damage tissue. In severe cases, swelling and bleeding beneath the skin may cause shock. Extensive tissue damage may also occur along with a fractured bone, dislocated joint, sprain, torn muscle, or other injuries.
Can contusions cause deep tissue damage?
However, severe contusions can cause deep tissue damage, which may lead to complications and/or keep the athlete out of sports for months.
Can you massage a contusion?
Most athletes with contusions get better quickly without surgery. Your doctor may give you nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medications for pain relief. Do not massage the injured area.
Can contusion cause swelling?
Compartment syndrome —In certain cases, rapid bleeding may cause extremely painful swelling within the muscle group of your arm, leg, foot, or buttock. Build-up of pressure from fluids several hours after a contusion injury can disrupt blood flow and prevent nourishment from reaching the muscle group. Surgery may be required to drain these excess fluids and relieve pressure. Compartment syndrome is an emergency and must be addressed quickly to prevent permanent damge to the affected limb.
What happens if you have a contusion?
You might face these serious complications if you have a severe contusion and it is left untreated: 1 Avascular necrosis: This condition can happen if you have a very large bone bruise and your body has trouble returning blood circulation to the bone. This causes a portion of the bone tissue to die. 2 Compartment syndrome: Compartment syndrome happens when your injury causes the pressure in your muscles to reach dangerously high levels. It decreases blood flow, which can prevent blood and nutrients from reaching your muscles. 3 Myositis ossificans: This condition can cause you to develop bones inside of muscle tissue. This is often the result of repeated deep bone bruises to the same tissue.
What is contusion in sports?
Normally referred to as bruises, contusions are common injuries. You can get one if you slip and fall, get injured from sports, or even from moving furniture.
How to heal a contusion?
Some steps you can take to speed the healing process are medication such as ibuprofen and home care following the RICE method of rest, ice, compress and elevate.
How long does it take for a contusion to heal?
The swelling on your contusion doesn’t reduce or show any signs of healing after 1 to 2 days. It’s a particularly large bruise. The trauma you sustained was to your head. The bruise limits your range of motion in a joint, like the knee or elbow. Your doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history.
How long does it take for a bruise to subside?
The pain in a bruise should subside within the first week.
How to help a bruised leg heal?
If the bruise affects your joints or ligaments, the doctor may prescribe crutches or a supportive sling to use while the injury heals. Ice: Icing the bruised area will help any swelling go down. Apply an ice pack for 10 to 20 minute intervals, three or more times a day to reduce swelling.
What happens when you bruise?
When you bruise, the force that hit you was not powerful enough to break your skin. Instead, it was powerful enough to break the tiny blood vessels beneath your skin and cause them to bleed. Contusions can range in severity. They can be small and harmless. They can also be larger and lead to serious complications.
What is a bruised contusion?
A contusion is the medical term for bruise. It’s the result of a damaged blood vessel or capillary leaking blood into the area surrounding an injury.
How do you know if you have a bone contusion in your knee?
If you have a bone contusion to your knee, you may experience any of the following symptoms: pain in your k nee when extending your leg. swelling, stiffness, or tenderness. pain that’s more severe than a normal bruise and lasting longer. If swelling doesn’t reduce or worsens, it may be a sign of a more severe bone bruise.
How long does it take for a knee contusion to heal?
Recovery time depends on the extent of the injury. A minor knee contusion can heal in as little as a few days. A bone bruise may take several weeks or months to heal before you can return to normal activities.
What is a bruised knee?
A bone contusion, or bone bruise, to your knee is more severe, but it features many of the same symptoms as a soft tissue contusion. A bone bruise occurs as a result of an injury to the surface of the bone beneath the soft tissue.
How to stop swelling in knees?
Ice. A cold compress can reduce the swelling. Your doctor may recommend icing your knee for 15 to 20 minutes several times per day. To prevent ice burn or frostbite, wrap the cold compress in a towel or cloth to prevent your skin from coming into direct contact with the ice. Compress.
What is the best medicine for a bruised knee?
For minor knee contusions, your doctor may recommend anti-inflammatory drugs, such as ibuprofen (Motrin, Advil). If you have a severe bone bruise on your knee, your doctor may recommend wearing a brace to keep the affected area still during healing.
What is the most common treatment for knee contusions?
Knee contusions are treated differently based on how severe they are. The most common treatment method for knee contusions is the RICE protocol. It stands for:
What is a subcutaneous contusion?
Subcutaneous contusion. A subcutaneous contusion is the bruise that most people are familiar with. A subcutaneous contusion is a bruise just beneath the skin. It is the type of bruise that most people are familiar with. Almost everyone experiences a subcutaneous contusion at some point.
What is the most common cause of subcutaneous contusion?
Just as a cut bleeds from tiny blood vessels, injuries to tiny blood vessels under the skin cause most subcutaneous contusions. Areas that a person may land on or use to support themselves during a fall, such as the hands and knees, are particularly vulnerable. Very rarely.
What happens when a bone separates from the rest of the bone?
Damage to the hard, calcium-rich bone structure causes tiny breaks in the bone. Bone contusions can cause a number of complications, including a condition called osteochondritis dissecans. This happens when a small piece of bone separates from the rest of the bone.
How long does it take for a contusion to heal?
Contusions can be very painful, even when they are not serious. Pain is a message from the body that urges rest and care. With rest, most contusions will heal within a few days. Very large contusions, however, may take several weeks to heal.
What is a bruise in medical terms?
Treatment. Takeaway. The medical term for a bruise is a contusion. Injuries to bones, muscles, and the tissue just under the skin can cause bruises. The eyes and mouth, as well as internal organs such as the lungs, can also bruise. Bruises are a type of bleeding under the skin.
Why are organ contusions dangerous?
These injuries are dangerous, and they can be life-threatening. This is because they may interfere with the functioning of the organ. People with organ contusions may require hospitalization. For example, a person with a pulmonary contusion, or a bruise on the lungs, may need to use an artificial ventilator.
What does it mean when you get a bruise under your skin?
Bruises are a type of bleeding under the skin. A sharp blow, such as from falling or colliding with a large object, can break tiny blood vessels called capillaries. This causes bleeding in the area of the injury. Because the bleeding is under the skin, the area may swell and look red or blue.
What is a bruised contusion?
Severe contusions are treated with physical therapy, physical assistance and surgery. A contusion is more commonly known as a bruise. When your body is injured, blood vessels can break under your skin. This causes the blood to pool under the skin, leaving a mark.
How to treat a contusion?
At home, you can treat your contusions using the RICE method, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation: 1 Rest – You want your contusion to heal quickly, and rest is an important factor. Avoid putting pressure on the affected area. 2 Ice – rest a bag of ice on the contusion 3-4 times a day for 20 minutes each time. Place a towel between your skin and the bag of ice. If you don’t have ice, a bag of frozen vegetables works, too. 3 Compression – using an ace bandage, wrap the area affected by the contusion to reduce swelling. This is not advised for all injuries, so ask your doctor before using this method of treatment. 4 Elevation – Sit or lie down and prop up the area of your body that has a contusion. It should be above your heart to help reduce swelling.
Why do kids get bruises?
Young children are clumsier and more likely to get bruises. Since their skin is thinner, bruises are more obvious. Similarly, your blood vessels and skin are less resilient as you age, leading to easier bruising in old age.
Why do you call your doctor for a contusion?
Reasons to call your doctor for a contusion include: Your bruise is not improving two weeks after the impact occurred. You bruise easily and can’t remember how you got your bruises. Your bruise is swelling and painful. You can't move a joint or suspect a broken bone. Your bruise is near your eye.
How long does it take for a contusion to go away?
They cause minimal swelling and pain and typically disappear after a few days. Second degree – These bruises are darker with more pain, tenderness, and swelling around the bruise.
What degree of bruises are darker?
Second degree – These bruises are darker with more pain, tenderness, and swelling around the bruise. You won’t experience loss of movement unless the bruise is on a joint like your knees. Third degree – You experience major swelling and pain at the sight of the bruise.
What is the most common symptom of contusion?
The most common symptom of a contusion is discoloration of the skin, which can appear pink, red, purple, blue, or brown depending on the severity. For small, superficial bruises you may not have pain, but larger and deeper bruises are very painful, even limiting the movement of joints that are nearby.
What is a contusion in the hip?
A contusion is a bruise, and a hip contusion is a common injury to the tissues around the hip that can affect hip function. Hip contusions cause tiny blood vessels (capillaries) to break and cause the bleeding that characterizes the bruise.
What Are the Symptoms of Hip Contusions?
Hip contusions can affect any of the structures that compose the joint.
What is the ball in the socket joint?
The hip joint is a "ball-in-socket" joint that attaches the thigh to the torso of the body. This allows the lower extremity to move in the many directions needed for walking, jumping, sitting, and squatting. Small injuries in or around the hip can cause significant pain and loss of function. A contusion is a bruise, and a hip contusion is a common injury to the tissues around the hip that can affect hip function.
What happens when you have a force injury?
The force of the injury can also cause damage and inflammation within the joint and to the structures that surround it. Understanding the mechanism of injury may help predict what structure is hurt, what tests need to be done, how long it's going to hurt, and what can be done to make it better.
Can a bursa cause pain?
If the bursa becomes inflamed ( bursitis ), there can be local tenderness. The bone itself can become bruised and painful. Rarely, the contusion can cause swelling and bleeding within the joint. Increased amount of fluid within the joint leads to further decreased range of motion.
What is a contusion in medical terms?
However, a contusion is just a common form of hematoma where blood pools outside of the vessel, forming a discolored spot on the surface of the skin, muscle tissue or bone. In other words, a contusion is a fancy name for a bruise.
What is a brain contusion?
A brain, or cerebral, contusion is a mild-to-severe injury that occurs when a bruise develops on brain tissue. It is typically caused by a strong blow to the head, resulting in microhemorrhages, or blood vessel leaks, in the brain tissue.
What is a bruised ankle called?
Skin and Muscle Contusions. Skin and muscle contusions, sometimes referred to as soft tissue bruises, are the variety most people are familiar with. Even minor bumps or ankle twists are enough to damage the blood vessels in your soft tissue and cause bruising.
How long should I ice a bruise?
I ce the bruise with a wrapped ice pack for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.
How long does it take for a bruise to heal?
The prognosis depends on the severity of the bruise, but in general, it takes anywhere from several days to several months to fully heal. Bones are mostly made of collagen, which is a flexible, living tissue.
What causes bruising in the body?
When the blow is strong enough, it can puncture a blood vessel or capillary, causing blood to leak out and clot in the surrounding area. While trauma is the primary cause of bruising, other conditions can cause it as well, such as: Microscopic muscle strains or tears. Bleeding disorders . Thin skin due to old age.
Is a bruise serious?
While most bumps and bruises are not serious, some may indicate a larger issue that needs urgent medical attention, such as a fracture or sprained ligament. For residents of Texas and the Colorado Springs area, Complete Care offers emergency and urgent care facilities capable of quickly providing professional, compassionate health care for a number of medical issues.
What is the cause of contusion?
Contusions occur when a direct blow or repeated blows from a blunt object strike part of the body, crushing underlying muscle fibers and connective tissue without breaking the skin. A contusion can result from falling or jamming the body against a hard surface.
What are the symptoms of a contusion?
Symptoms. Contusions cause swelling and pain, and limit joint range of motion near the injury. Torn blood vessels may cause bluish discoloration. The injured muscle may feel weak and stiff. Sometimes a pool of blood collects within damaged tissue, forming a lump over the injury (hematoma). In severe cases, swelling and bleeding beneath ...
How to treat a contusion in the heart?
Your doctor may give you nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, or other medications for pain relief. Do not massage the injured area.
How to control pain and bleeding?
To control pain, bleeding, and inflammation, keep the muscle in a gentle stretch position and use the RICE formula:
How to treat a sprained muscle?
To control pain, bleeding, and inflammation, keep the muscle in a gentle stretch position and use the RICE formula: 1 Rest. Protect the injured area from further harm by stopping play. You may also use a protective device (i.e., crutches, sling). 2 Ice. Apply ice wrapped in a clean cloth. (Remove ice after 20 minutes.) 3 Compression. Lightly wrap the injured area in a soft bandage or ace wrap. 4 Elevation. Raise it to a level above the heart.
How long after a sprain can you massage?
Do not massage the injured area. During the first 24 to 48 hours after injury (acute phase), you will probably need to continue using rest, ice, compression bandages, and elevation of the injured area to control bleeding, swelling, and pain.
Can a muscle contusion cause shock?
Sometimes a pool of blood collects within damaged tissue, forming a lump over the injury (hematoma). In severe cases, swelling and bleeding beneath the skin may cause shock. Athletes in all contact sports have many opportunities to get a muscle contusion (bruise). Contusions are second only to strains as a leading cause of sports injuries.
Description
Symptoms
- Contusions cause swelling and pain, and limit joint range of motion near the injury. The injured muscle may feel weak and stiff, and torn blood vessels may cause bluish discoloration. A lump that forms over the injury (hematoma) indicates that a pool of blood has collected within the damage tissue. In severe cases, swelling and bleeding beneath the...
Causes
- When a part of the body is struck by enough force to crush underlying muscle fibers and connective tissue without breaking the skin, a contusion may occur. A fall, jamming the body against a hard surface, a direct blow, or repeated blows from a blunt object are among the many common causes of contusions.
Diagnosis
- A physical examination, and when needed, diagnostic imaging tools, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans, will allow your physician to determine the extent of your injury and check for related nerve damage.
Nonsurgical Treatment
- Most athletes with contusions get better quickly without surgery. Your doctor may give you nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medications for pain relief. Do not massage the injured area. During the first 24 to 48 hours after injury (acute phase), keep the muscle in a gentle stretch position and use the RICE formula (rest, ice, compression and elevatio…
Rehabilitation
- After a few days, inflammation should start to go down and the injury may feel a little better. At this time, the doctor may tell you to apply gentle heat to the injury and start the rehabilitation process. Remember to increase your activity level gradually. As the injury heals, exercising the uninjured parts of your body will help maintain your overall level of fitness. Depending upon the …
Recovery
- When you have returned to full strength, motion and endurance, you may be allowed to resume contact sports. Your physician may want you to wear a customized protective device to prevent further injury to the afflicted area. Depending on your sport, you may also need special padding to spread out the force of impact from any direct blows to the body.
Complications
- Prompt medical treatment and following your doctor's advice regarding rehabilitation can help you avoid serious medical complications, such as compartment syndrome and myositis ossificans, that occasionally result from deep muscle contusions. 1. Compartment syndrome—In certain cases, rapid bleeding may cause extremely painful swelling within the muscle group of your arm…