Point Sports Therapy Clinic
digital
INJURY DATA
CONTUSION
A contusion - also known as a bruise - is a region of injured tissue or skin caused by trauma to the area. This is commonly seen in the head, back, chest, elbow, lower leg and heel in athletes.
Average recovery time -
2 to 3 weeks
Likelihood of reoccurrence -
High
Digital illustration of a quadricep contusion/ dead leg generated by EVE.
A contusion is the medical name for a bruise, which is a painful, usually discoloured area on your body. You can get a contusion on the surface of your skin, on your bones or muscles, or even your internal organs. A contusion is the second most common injury in sports, the first being sprains.
When a capillary (tiny blood vessel) is damaged due to trauma or blunt force it leaks blood into the surrounding area and this leads to a contusion.
Contusions are usually minor and heal quickly, however some may be more severe, or some could be as a result of a more serious injury.
There are three different types of contusion:
Subcutaneous
This is the most common and most visible as it occurs directly under the surface of the skin.
Intramuscular
Also known as a muscle contusion, this type occurs when there is a direct blow to muscle tissue. Such a trauma may cause a visible subcutaneous contusion, but the deep tissue damage associated with this kind of injury causes blood vessels within the muscle fibres to rupture and bleed without breaking the skin. This bleeding can cause the affected muscle to swell and reduce mobility, and it may also create a tightening of the fibres that leads to a muscle knot.
Periosteal
This type of contusion refers to the periosteum, a membrane that covers the outer surface of all bones. In some trauma—such as a hard hit to the shin—the actual bone itself can become bruised. Blood vessels in the periosteum rupture, and the blood seeps into surrounding soft tissue; in this case, however, the blood can pool under the periosteum, or even into the bone itself if the trauma has also led to a broken bone.
Muscle contusions are more painful than skin contusions; especially if it is a muscle you cannot avoid using. Bone contusions are hard to diagnose, they are usually diagnosed by process of elimination or through an MRI scan.
Common contusion sites in sports are....
Calf
Scrotal
Glutes
Ulna nerve - elbow
Hip
Quadriceps - dead leg
Calcaneus - Policeman's heel
Upper back
Head
Sternum - Chest
Coccyx
Signs & SYMPTOMs
A throbbing or aching pain in the affected area
Bruising and discolouration - blue, purple, green or yellow areas on the skin
Tenderness
Raised skin
Weakness
Stiffness
Swelling
Reduced range of motion
Ulnar nerve - Tingling, numbness or burning in part of the hand or fingers
Policeman's heel - Flattening of fatty pad in heel
If you believe you have symptoms of a severe contusion please seek guidance from a medical professional! - EVE
Additional illustrations.
Above shows an expected VAS (pain) score for this injury as calculated by EVE.
sports
This injury is commonly seen in sports such as...
- Football
- Dance
- Tennis
- Hockey (field and ice)
- Cricket
- Handball
- Skating (ice, roller, board, figure)
- Boxing
- Volleyball
- Cheerleading
- Rugby
- Baseball
- Horse riding
- Badminton
- Lacrosse
- Gymnastics
- Formula 1 racing
- Netball
- Snowboarding
- Softball
- Karate
- Wresting
- American football
- Skiing
- Mixed martial arts
- Rock climbing
- Cross fit
- Cycling
treatment & prevention
Follow these steps to treat this injury....
Extra Information
Ice is most effective within the first 72 hours of injury; however, it may slow down initial healing.
Consult a pharmacist regarding the use of anti-inflammatories.
If you have a bone contusion you can wear a brace.
Never try to drain the blood from a contusion yourself, it won’t make it heal any faster and may cause infection.
Organ contusions require immediate medical attention!
Reach the starting point of your recovery by purchasing the complete injury rehabilitation package at the Self-Help Shop!
Follow these steps to prevent this injury....
DOs
Regularly check your protective equipment before participating in sports
Make sure you’re taking in enough water to ensure your muscles are hydrated and remain supple
Perform sport-specific training to increase your readiness to participate in sport and avoid unnecessary contact
Use proper technique while engaging in sports - consider having someone observe you to remind you
Use sports equipment properly and in accordance with its intended purpose
Visit EVE's Top Tips to prevent injury page!
(link below)
DON'Ts
Do not take anti-inflammatories for the first 48 hours to avoid disrupting the healing process
Avoid playing sports if you are already fatigued
Do not ignore your pain/symptoms! Address them promptly for a better recovery
Visit EVE's Top Tips to prevent injury page!
(link below)
The information provided is not intended to be a substitute for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment.