pain that’s usually worse when pressure is applied to the area While both muscle and skin tissue contusions cause pain, muscle tissue contusions are usually more painful, especially if they affect a muscle that you can’t avoid using. Many things can cause a soft tissue contusion — from bumping into the table to twisting your ankle.
Full Answer
What is the difference between a sprain and a contusion?
What's worse a contusion or sprain? With the right treatment, most heal with no lasting problems. A strain is damage to a muscle or tendon. A sprain is damage to a ligament. A contusion (bruise) is caused by damage to blood vessels in and under the skin. Click to see full answer. Correspondingly, is a contusion the same as a sprain?
What is a contusion in sports injury?
Jul 23, 2021 · pain that’s usually worse when pressure is applied to the area While both muscle and skin tissue contusions cause pain, muscle tissue contusions are usually more painful, especially if they affect...
What happens when you get a contusion?
Don't strain: A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon or both. A sprain is injury to a ligament. Either can be bad. It just depends on the type of injury sustained... Read More. 2.9k views Reviewed >2 years ago. Thank. Dr. Alan Ali and another doctor agree. 2 doctors agree.
What is the difference between muscle and skin contusion?
Mar 07, 2022 · Contusion symptoms. A contusion will be caused by 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 worse than a contusion?
A concussion refers to more widespread brain trauma from a blow to the head or swift shaking. Many assume that a concussion is just a more severe form of a contusion, but that is not the case. These two injuries are different in many ways.Oct 15, 2019
Is a contusion serious?
A contusion can be minor or severe, and may result in heavy swelling or significant swelling. Generally, contusion is considered a more serious injury compared to a concussion, because it involves structural damage to the brain's blood vessels.Sep 19, 2016
How long do contusions take 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.
Which is worse strain or sprain?
With a sprain, you may feel a tear or pop in the joint as it happens. The joint may then feel either stiff or unstable. With a strain, you may have spasms or cramping in the affected muscle. The worse the sprain or strain, the harder it is to use the affected area.Oct 30, 2021
When should I be concerned about a contusion?
When to Seek Medical Care Call the doctor if the bruise is painful and under a toenail or fingernail. Call the doctor if a bruise does not improve within two weeks or fails to completely clear after three or four weeks. Go to an emergency room if you think you have a broken bone along with the bruise.Nov 15, 2021
What is the best treatment for a contusion?
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.
How is a sprain different from a strain?
The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.Sep 25, 2020
How painful is a bone bruise?
Essentially, the bone particles are compressed but not enough to cause a fracture. While bone bruises are less severe than bone fractures, they can make the bone more vulnerable to fracture. In some cases, a bone bruise can be excruciatingly painful, severely limit movements, and take several months to heal.Nov 30, 2021
What does a muscle contusion feel like?
A Muscle Contusion causes swelling and pain, and limits joint range of motion near the injury. … 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 the skin may cause shock.
What are the three 3 types of sprains?
Sprains are graded based on the severity of the sprain by degrees.A first-degree sprain is the mildest form of sprain, resulting in minimal tissue damage and quick recovery time. ... A second-degree sprain happens when one or more ligaments has been damaged. ... A third-degree sprain occurs when the ligament has torn.
Are sprains serious?
Sprains of the Ankle, Knee and Wrist. Sprains are injuries where a ligament is stretched or torn within a joint. Common places you might have a sprain can include your ankle, knee and wrist. In severe sprains, the ligaments can be partially or completely torn – sometimes leading to surgery.Jul 28, 2020
In what aspect does a contusion differ from a strain?
With the right treatment, most heal with no lasting problems. A strain is damage to a muscle or tendon. A sprain is damage to a ligament. A contusion (bruise) is caused by damage to blood vessels in and under the skin.
How to tell if you have a bone contusion?
trouble bending or using the affected area. pain that lasts longer than the symptoms of a typical bruise would. Bone contusions are usually impossible to see, even on an X-ray.
What are the symptoms of a bone contusion?
A hard fall, car accident, or high-impact sports injury can all cause bone contusions. The symptoms of a bone contusion include: stiffness or swelling. tenderness.
What is contusion in medical terms?
A contusion happens when an injured capillary or blood vessel leaks blood into the surrounding area. Contusions are a type of hematoma, which refers to any collection of blood outside of a blood vessel. While the term contusion might sound serious, it’s just a medical term for the common bruise.
What is a bruise on your bones?
Contusions on your bones | Bone contusions. When you think of a bruise, you likely think of discolored spots on your skin. However, you can also develop a bruise on a bone, which is referred to as a bone contusion. Just like the rest of your body, your bones are made of tissue and blood vessels. Any injury to this tissue can cause one ...
What is soft tissue contusion?
Soft tissue contusions refer to injuries to your muscle or skin tissue. This is also what most people are referring to when they talk about a basic bruise. Soft tissue contusions are must easier to diagnose than bone contusions because they have distinct characteristics, including: discolored skin that looks red, green, purple, blue, or black.
How long does it take for a bruise to heal?
In most cases, both soft tissue and bone contusions heal on their own within a week or two, though bone contusions might take longer. Last medically reviewed on April 12, 2018.
How long does it take for a bruised bone to clear up?
They may also use an MRI scan, which will provide a better image of any bone contusions. On their own, bone bruises take anywhere from a few days to several months to clear up, depending on how severe the injury is.
What is a sprain in sports medicine?
24 years experience Sports Medicine. Different structures: A sprain is an injury to a ligament. A strain is an injury to tendon or muscle generally. Ligaments need time to heal so they may need bracing and r ... Read More.
Is a strain a sprain?
Don't strain: A strain is injury to a muscle or tendon or both. A sprain is injury to a ligament. Either can be bad. It just depends on the type of injury sustained ... Read More
How to treat a contusion?
Treatment for contusions. Immediate treatment of a contusion should involve rest and cold therapy application. The injury should also be elevated and a compression bandage or support applied, to help minimise bleeding and swelling. This protocol should be continued until all bleeding has stopped.
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 ...
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.
Where are the most common sites for a contusion?
The most common sites for a contusions are in the thigh, lower leg, shoulder and arm.
Is a contusion intramuscular or intermuscular?
Contusions are either intramuscular or intermuscular depending on whether the bleeding is contained within the muscle sheath, or whether the sheath is also damaged and the muscle bleeds outside the muscle sheath.
What is a contusion in medical terms?
The word “ contusion ” is basically another word for a bruise—a collection of blood not in a blood vessel. Contusions can also be referred to as hematomas (based on the Greek words for “blood” and “mass”). Contusions can occur in any part of the body subjected to trauma that ruptures blood vessels.
What is a concussion?
A concussion is an injury resulting specifically from brain trauma. These injuries can have both temporary and lasting effects, which will be explained below. Download our Simplified Guide to Understanding a Brain Injury. for more details on the anatomy of injuries to the brain.
What are two terms that are closely associated with head/brain injuries?
For example, two terms that are closely associated with head/brain injuries are contusion and concussion. These terms are often used semi-interchangeably by non-experts, but doctors often have a set definition in mind when they use either term. “What is a contusion? What is a concussion?
How long does it take to recover from a concussion?
Meanwhile, a severe concussion can take years to recover from—if a full recovery is even possible in the first place.
What is a moderate concussion?
Moderate concussions are caused by more severe impacts to the brain— such as those caused in vehicular accidents or by acts of violence. These concussions are often accompanied by internal bleeding in or near the brain (i.e. contusions), and may more severe and long-lasting effects than mild concussions.
When should you do a concussion test?
Testing before a Head Injury Happens. Concussion testing is often done for athletes (such as football players and boxers) well before any head injuries can occur. This is done to establish a baseline for the athlete’s brain function so there is something to compare post-injury test results to.
Does a concussion mean a contusion?
Likewise, a concussion does not necessarily indicate a contusion, since shaking and other brain injuries can produce brain damage without visible bruising. The difference between the two ultimately comes down to a simple distinction: A contusion is any injury that causes blood to collect under the skin.
What are some things that can cause a sprain?
These include: athletic activities or exercise, including running or jogging. accidents, such as falling or slipping. lifting heavy objects.
How to prevent a sprain from a sprain?
Working out or playing sports on cold muscles isn’t good for your joints. Warm up, stretch, and give your joints time to prepare for physical activity. Exercise regularly.
What is the term for the overstretching of ligaments?
A joint sprain is the overstretching or tearing of ligaments. Ligaments are the bands of tissue that connect two bones together in a joint. The most common location for a sprain is the ankle joint. A joint strain is the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons. Tendons are the dense fibrous cords of tissue that connect bones to muscles.
How do you know if you have a sprain or strain?
It’s no wonder the two conditions are frequently confused. Common symptoms of sprains. Common symptoms of strains. • bruising.
How long does it take for a sprain to heal?
For mild strains or sprains, most people can return to limited activities in two to three days. If it’s a moderate injury, you may need a week. Even when you feel up to activities again, take extra precaution to protect the joint. You might want to tape the joint or support it with a brace for a bit until the tissue has had time to heal.
How to reduce swelling in a swollen knee?
Compression: Compression will help reduce the swelling. Wrap the affected joint in a bandage or trainer’s tape. Do not wrap too tightly, however, or you can reduce the blood supply. Elevation: Try to keep the affected joint elevated above the level of your heart.
How long after a knee injury can you go to bed?
If your knee or ankle is affected, that may mean you need to stay in bed or on the couch for up to two days after your injury. If you can’t keep it as high as your heart, parallel to the ground is also OK. For the first 24 to 48 hours after your injury, RICE may make you more comfortable and reduce signs and symptoms.
Why do athletes hope that their injuries are not torn?
Why? Because most breaks heal the bone stronger than it was before (depending on age and the bone) and in a shorter time than most soft tissue injuries, whereas most soft tissue strains will take significantly longer to heal and will heal much less than perfect.
How long should you let your soft tissue heal after an injury?
For most soft tissues, you can’t simply put them back in place, slap a cast on it and let it heal for 8-12 weeks and expect it to be shiny and brand new again.
Is a heart attack a soft tissue injury?
And let’s point out that a heart attack and stroke are both soft tissue injuries.
How Are Strains, Sprains, and Contusions Diagnosed?
How Are Strains, Sprains, and Contusions Treated?
- Strains and sprains can take up to months to heal. If not treated and allowed to heal, a strain or sprain can lead to long-term problems. These include lasting pain and stiffness. So it is importan...
- The pain of a contusion often resolves within the first week. But the swelling and discoloration may take weeks to go away.
What Are The Long-Term Concerns?
- If allowed to heal, most strains, sprains, and contusions cause no further problems. Strains or sprains that are not treated and don’t heal properly can lead to pain or stiffness that doesn’t go away. Be sure to follow your athlete’s treatment plan. Your athlete’s doctor can tell you more about the expected outcome based on your child’s injury.
Preventing Strains, Sprains, and Contusions
- If playing sports or doing other athletic activity, be sure your child: 1. Has proper training. 2. Wears protective gear. 3. Warms up before activity and cools down afterward. 4. Uses proper equipment. 5. Doesn’t play hurt (with an injury).