In this article, we look at how to identify a muscle strain and how to treat it at home. A bruised muscle, or muscle contusion, is an injury to your muscle fibers and connective tissues. Heat Therapy. The groin is the area of the body where the stomach meets the legs. Grade 3 is a severe tear of the muscle, causing bruising and a lot of pain. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. Reviewed by a Cleveland Clinic medical professional. However, your skin doesnt break from the blow. From traditional medicine to home remedies, there are a number of ways to treat a facial bruise for, For the most part, paintball is a safe game. Illinois Bone & Joint Institute, LLC complies with applicable Federal civil rights laws and does not discriminate on the basis of race, color, national origin, age, disability, or sex. Your healthcare provider will tell you how long you should not put weight on your bone. Raise your leg up higher than your heart. Bruises happen when small blood vessels in the skin are damaged. Avoiding NSAIDs may also be necessary when bruising occurs after surgery or with extensive bruises, as these drugs risk worsening the bleeding. Do not apply ice directly to the skin as it may cause ice burns. 2005-2023 Healthline Media a Red Ventures Company. Strengthening exercises for thigh muscles. The symptoms of a bone contusion include: Bone contusions are usually impossible to see, even on an X-ray. Place an elastic bandage over the bruised region and apply elevation. When you think of a bruise, you likely think of those discolored spots on your skin. The most common symptoms from a bruised muscle is pain. ;Elevate the bruised region and compress it with a wrap or bandage to minimize swelling; Elevate the injured region above your heart, if at all feasible, Consult your doctor if you experience any of the following symptoms: Bruises can emerge after beginning a new drug or nutritional supplement regimen Bruises that recur in the same location on a regular basis bruising that is significant after a little bump or injury is defined as. Heres our process. In more severe cases, athletes may be forced to rest and limit physical activity until their muscle has fully healed. Transitions Rehabilitation - Wellness Across The Lifespan 2023 The reason why a bruise may itch as it heals is unclear, but there are a few theories. Dementia: Does being socially isolated increase risk? Bone injuries can take longer to heal if you smoke. A thigh contusion causing an Intramuscular hematoma isbleeding that occurs within the muscle which is surrounded by a sheath. The content is not intended to replace diagnosis, treatment or medical advice from your treating healthcare professional. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. A contusion can result from falling or jamming the body against a hard surface. Know the symptoms and what to do if you experience them. A bruise happens when small blood vessels tear but skin does not. The use of the information is at the readers own risk. For some injuries, your doctor may also need to check for nerve injury. They will usually ask some questions to find out more about symptoms and how the injury was caused. In rare cases, bruising can indicate more serious conditions including: Bruising takes on many colors as the body works to heal an injury. A groin strain is usually a muscle tear from an awkward or sudden movement. Groin strain should be treated quickly, ideally in the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. A similar injury occurs if there is a direct blow to the muscle. As a general rule, grade one thigh strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks, and grade two thigh strains for about 4 to 6 weeks. Staying still and trying not to walk or exercise may help to stop the injury getting worse. Apply the PRICE principle (protection, rest, ice, compression & elevation) as soon as possible after injury. All rights reserved. Readers with musculoskeletal conditions should seek the advice of their healthcare professionals without delay for any condition they have. You may also massage the knee or apply heating liniments to increase circulation in the . It is normal for a bruise to change color over time. It could be coming from your latissimus dorsi. While a sprain is more serious than a simple strain, most dogs make a full recovery from a sprained leg. or if this is not possible work on the upper body strength. Contusions are a type of hematoma any collection of blood outside a blood vessel. This will help prevent additional injury. If you have a grade 1 thigh contusion your thigh muscle will feel tight. What Are Schmorls Nodes, and Should I Be Concerned About Them? Over-the-counter painkillers can be taken to help relieve any discomfort. With a grade 2, you are unlikely to be able to walk properly. Over time, a bruise changes color as the blood under the skin breaks down, and as the bruise heals. However, you are unlikely to have significant edema. Some of the at-home methods to speed up healing that we list in this article are available online: Last medically reviewed on January 4, 2020, A bruise usually results from a blow to the body. You have new trouble moving the injured area. In about 510 days, it turns a yellow or green color. Vigorous stretching exercises may make the condition worse. 3. A person can expect about four phases of colors to a bruise before it fades away. Last updated on Jan 5, 2023. A doctor can help determine if there is a more severe condition or cause of the bruising that the person does not know about themselves. If you put too much stress on the injured area before it is healed, excessive scar tissue may develop. Part of your body, such as your fingers or toes, are turning blue, cold, and, Get regular physical activity. This is known as compression and should be done by a trained first responder if possible. If the bone dies, the damage that occurs is irreversible. A contusion is just the medical term for a bruise. Injury to a joint may require a brace to keep the joint still while it heals. Massage ONLY once the acute phase has definitely passed. A hematoma is a large collection of blood that becomes trapped within tissues. For second and third degree contusions, crutches should be used. Other than athletes, people most at risk also include elderly individuals. Last medically reviewed on July 23, 2021. For a grade one contusion normal training may be resumed within a few days. When a hematoma occurs, the body cannot heal the bruise as easily or quickly as a minor injury. Core strength exercises using a Swiss Ball and Resistance Bands are ideal for a quick return to functional activity. You dont wear proper protective equipment. If tissue damage is extensive, you may also have a broken bone, dislocated joint, sprain, torn muscle, or other injuries. (2013, May 16). You may walk with a limp. Dont apply heat to the contusion unless absolutely necessary. Wrap thigh with a wet bandage to insulate skin (ace bandage). Once your range of motion has improved, your doctor will likely recommend incorporating weightbearing and strengthening exercises. Although theres a great variation in recovery time, it usually takes a few months to heal. Apply an ice pack wrapped in a towel to the bruise to reduce swelling. During the healing process, a bruise will usually go through the following colors: Finally, once the bruise has turned a light brown, it will begin to fade. This article looks at the symptoms and. (Perfect answer). Although a dead leg or charlie horse can often seem like a minor injury, it is important the correct diagnosis is made. The easiest way to lookup drug information, identify pills, check interactions and set up your own personal medication records. Its possible to bruise any bone, but its more likely to happen to bones that are close to your skins surface. Contusions can cause swelling within the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip. 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. Condition your muscles with a regular program of exercises. If you notice no signs of improvement, seek medical attention. Arnica lotion, Aloe vera gel, and Vitamin C are all good options. This category only includes cookies that ensures basic functionalities and security features of the website. The hamstring and quadriceps muscle groups are particularly at risk for muscle strains because they cross both the hip and knee joints. Gentle movement should be done after 48 hours. Bone injuries can take longer to heal if you smoke . They will also ask an individual if they: The appointment will usually include a physical examination. Grade 1 strains will take 1 to 2 weeks of rest before a person can return to exercise. Muscles that move a part of the body, such as a leg or arm, are known as adductor muscles. A thigh contusion is caused by a direct impact or trauma to the muscle which crushes it against the bone underneath, causing internal bleeding in the muscle. With an intermuscular hematoma both your muscle and part of the sheath surrounding it is damaged. Its easy to assume you have a regular everyday bruise if your skin looks black, blue, or purple. (n.d.). Or use a commercially available cold therapy wrap. The canine hock joint, located on a dog's back leg below the stifle (knee), corresponds to the ankle joint of a human. It is natural for a bruise to change color during the healing process. Depending on how the injury happened, you might also have damage to nearby ligaments. Most bone bruises slowly heal over 2 to 4 months. Osteoarthritis. Returning to your regular activities too soon can make things worse. ApplyingIceto the affected area can help reduce inflammation and pain. Hemorrhaging can be controlled by performing isometric movements while applying ice. The quadriceps located at the front of the thigh is responsible for extending the knee and bending the leg. Blood leaks into nearby tissue, such as soft tissue or muscle. A person may also experience spasms in the inner thigh muscles. This means that the initial bleeding will take longer to stop, especially if you do not ice it. If you begin to experience worsening symptoms or if your injury shows no signs of improvement, seek medical attention. from the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. A muscle bruise doesnt usually cause damage to the affected muscle. Pelvic fractures are typically the result of high impact injuries. But you can actually develop a bruise on a bone, which is called a bone contusion (or bone bruise). Groin strain is not always preventable, but there are some things that can help a person to avoid this type of injury. It helps prevent the bruise from getting bigger. For a serious strain, physical therapy may be needed, and a person is often given exercises to do. Grade 3 strains happen when most or all of the muscle is torn. If you suspect a fracture seek emergency medical attention immediately., DOMS or delayed onset muscle soreness is a particular type of muscle soreness that sets in hours after exercise. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. If your doctor decides to let yours heal, they will prescribe rest and periodic observation. Apply a cold compress to the affected region to help minimize swelling. Some of the warning signs that a person needs medical attention include bruising that: People may want to try to speed healing or lessen any pain associated with bruising. The injury may affect the fluid-filled sacs ( bursae) that provide a gliding surface . (2012). Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Learn more. Bone bruises occur with an injury to the surface of the bone and can cause a bruise to appear on your skin. There is immediate burning or stabbing pain and the athlete is unable to walk without pain. Here are 10 easy treatments to lessen the pain and reduce the visibility. So 2 to 3 times per week is OK. With a grade two thigh contusion, it may be a week before you can begin strengthening. You most likely will have nearly a full range of motion. Many people use arnica, quercetin, vitamin B-3, or vitamin K creams to help speed up bruise healing times. Your doctor may also recommend the RICE method: Mild muscle bruises respond to the RICE method within 24 to 48 hours. These tools include x-rays, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scans, or computerized tomography (CT) scans. Healthline Media does not provide medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. 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