how long does a thigh contusion take to heal

Stretching. 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. In an emergency situation, there are some important steps to remember when giving first aid. Sources of calcium include dairy products, broccoli, and kale. Gentle movement should be done after 48 hours. What causes left side groin pain in females? However, you are unlikely to have much swelling. However, you may need more recovery time after. We avoid using tertiary references. Place an elastic bandage over the bruised region and apply elevation. Most muscle strains can be treated with the RICE protocol. Those images can potentially show if the injury is greater than a bone bruise. Learn more. Policy, Get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information. Porter, D. (2018, April 24). If you begin to experience worsening symptoms or if your injury shows no signs of improvement, seek medical attention. All strengthening sessions should start with a gentle warm-up and stretch and finish with a good stretch. Our experts continually monitor the health and wellness space, and we update our articles when new information becomes available. It is often related to more significant trauma. This can reduce the overall size of the bruise, as it prevents blood from leaking further and reduces inflammation. This is likely to be the case if a person: Keeping leg muscles strong should help to prevent another groin strain in future. Treatment depends on the part of your body that is injured, and how serious your injury is. They will usually ask some questions to find out more about symptoms and how the injury was caused. If after two to three days the swelling has not gone, then your injury is probably intramuscular. We do not endorse non-Cleveland Clinic products or services. While a sprain is more serious than a simple strain, most dogs make a full recovery from a sprained leg. A person who does not exercise regularly, or who is starting to exercise for the first time, should go slowly. Make sure its not too tight. But does it work and what are, Healthline has strict sourcing guidelines and relies on peer-reviewed studies, academic research institutions, and medical associations. As a result, the initial bleeding stops early, within hours because of increased pressure within the muscle. The muscle can take 3 to 4 months to repair completely. Grade 3 strains happen when most or all of the muscle is torn. You may need any of the following tests: Your bruise may heal without any treatment. It is likely that you will need to continue utilizing rest, ice, compression bandages, and elevation of the wounded region for the first 24 to 48 hours following the accident (acute phase) in order to keep bleeding, swelling, and pain under control. Contusions can cause swelling within the muscles and tendons surrounding the hip. Muscle strains (muscle pull or tear) usually happen when a muscle is stretched beyond its limit, and the muscle tissue becomes torn during an activity such as sprinting or kicking a ball. How to tell if it is a bruise or a blood clot, How to get rid of a bruise: Home remedies. You could also have a fracture or a break. Groin strain should be treated quickly, ideally in the first 24 to 48 hours after the injury. This will help stop any internal bleeding and reduce pain and swelling. Minor contusions take considerably less time. If they suspect you have a bone injury, an X-ray can help determine if you have a bone fracture or break, but it cant help your doctor detect a bone bruise. The more severe ones can take several months to heal. Apply the PRICE principle (protection, rest, ice, compression & elevation) as soon as possible after injury. Last updated on Jan 5, 2023. nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/B9780323079099001379, orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/diseases--conditions/muscle-contusion-bruise/. A muscle strain, or pulled muscle, occurs when your muscle is overstretched or torn. About OrthoInfoEditorial Board Our ContributorsOur Subspecialty Partners Contact Us, Privacy PolicyTerms & Conditions Linking Policy AAOS Newsroom Find an Orthopaedist. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Required fields are marked *. Use a hot water bottle, heat pack, or hot bath. Center. To establish that the product manufacturers addressed safety and efficacy standards, we: We do the research so you can find trusted products for your health and wellness. Will a dog's sprained [] Daniel Bubnis, M.S., NASM-CPT, NASE Level II-CSS, worsened pain in days following the injury. From day four (no earlier and it may be longer in severe injuries) apply heat. After the first 48 to 72 hours, you may switch to heat instead of ice if it feels better. A leg hematoma is commonly treated with the following medications: Your email address will not be published. Once your range of motion has improved, your doctor will likely recommend incorporating weightbearing and strengthening exercises. This should help to limit bleeding and swelling in the tissues. All rights reserved. You take part in an activity thats physically demanding. Heat can be used to stimulate circulation and improve blood flow. The most common symptoms from a bruised muscle is pain. Hydrocolloid bandages are used to treat open, superficial wounds and open pimples. How long do muscle contusions take to heal? If you have back pain after running beyond the expected level of discomfort, it may be a symptom of an underlying condition. (2012, August 17). Most causes are benign, but some can be serious and require treatment. Here are 10 easy treatments to lessen the pain and reduce the visibility. Arnica lotion, Aloe vera gel, and Vitamin C are all good options. A bruised muscle, or muscle contusion, is an injury to your muscle fibers and connective tissues. He or she may also check for problems you may have when you move your bruised area. The time to return to activity and sports depends on the grade/severity of the injury and one's progress with stretching and strengthening exercises. These types can also go away on their own. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. Bruised muscles are often the result of blunt force or trauma to your body. It wont help you heal any faster, and itll raise your chances of the injury getting infected. Compress the bruised region with a wrap or bandage to minimize swelling. What Are Schmorls Nodes, and Should I Be Concerned About Them? A person may need medical attention to find out if the hematoma requires further treatment. A hard fall, car accident, or high-impact sports injury can all cause bone contusions. They may also do an MRI scan, which will provide a better image of any bone contusions. Mild muscular contusion injuries can be treated with gentle, progressive, painless stretching of the muscle. Depending on the extent of your injury, a physical therapist may be able to show you how to move your injured joint so that you dont cause more damage. A contusion is just the medical term for a bruise. *The blog is for general information and educational purposes only regarding musculoskeletal conditions. Recovery time for an upper leg fracture may take 6 months to a year to heal, while a lower leg fracture can heal in 4 to 6 months. With a grade two thigh strain there is immediate pain which is more severe than the pain of a grade one injury and produces pain on walking. Although ice is recommended initially for a knee contusion, heat can also promote healing. Always consult your healthcare provider to ensure the information displayed on this page applies to your personal circumstances. Use crutches for second and third degree contusions. You have questions or concerns about your condition or care. 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. Once you have strained a muscle, it may be prone to reinjury. The amount of time it takes to heal from a muscle strain depends on your injury's severity. Any cookies that may not be particularly necessary for the website to function and is used specifically to collect user personal data via analytics, ads, other embedded contents are termed as non-necessary cookies. They may indicate more severe internal bleeding or shock: symptoms that don't get. Its easy to assume you have a regular everyday bruise if your skin looks black, blue, or purple. Practicing sport specific activities helps tune coordination and prepare mentally for competition. Contusions of the quadriceps can result in two significant complications: Compartment Syndrome and myositis ossificans (muscle inflammation). When a hematoma occurs, the body cannot heal the bruise as easily. A muscle strain usually results when it is overly stretched, and the muscle fibers tear. Most of the time, there are no lasting problems. Learn more about these serious fractures, how theyre treated, and what to expect. Sometimes, a bone bruise is only one part of the injury. Your doctor may give you nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, or other medications for pain relief. Bruises can occur on your skin, muscles, and bones. Know the symptoms and what to do if you experience them. Many people use arnica, quercetin, vitamin B-3, or vitamin K creams to help speed up bruise healing times. Pain on the right side of the groin can occur for various reasons, and some are more serious than others. A thigh sleeve or "donut pad" are often helpful on return to play. We include products we think are useful for our readers. Does Fascia Blasting Work and Is It Safe? But, in some cases, a person may want to seek medical attention for their bruising. Here's a simple guideline to help you determine the severity of the injury: Most dogs will not walk on a broken leg or dislocated joint. Learn about how to get. Options may include a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, or removal of skin lesions. Learn more about the potential causes of groin pain, as well as the treatment options available, here. You also have the option to opt-out of these cookies. On their own, bone bruises take anywhere from a few days to several months to heal, depending on how severe the injury is. Other than athletes, people most at risk also include elderly individuals. This trauma crushes the muscle fibers, but doesnt break the skin tissue. We also discuss when to see a. Heres our process. Maintaining good muscle strength and flexibility may help prevent muscle strains. Abnormal bone formation can also reduce your flexibility. If you have a grade 1 thigh contusion your thigh muscle will feel tight. If your doctor decides to let yours heal, they will prescribe rest and periodic observation. Heat. The return to a full range of movements should be done gradually. 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. This is usually 48 hours post-injury but may be longer. 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. Frequently ice the injury for 10-30 minutes. Soft tissue contusions can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks to heal. Blood leaks into nearby tissue, such as soft tissue or muscle. Thats why its important to talk to your doctor and report symptoms that wont go away. Build-up of pressure from fluids several hours after a contusion can disrupt blood flow and prevent nourishment from reaching the muscle group. To control pain, bleeding, and inflammation, keep the muscle in a gentle stretch position and use the RICE protocol: Most athletes with contusions get better quickly with simple treatment measures. Most contusions are minor and heal quickly, without taking the athlete away from the game. We link primary sources including studies, scientific references, and statistics within each article and also list them in the resources section at the bottom of our articles. Seek prompt medical attention if any of the following occurs: Those symptoms may indicate a severe bone bruise. Getting an MRI scan is the only way to know for sure if you have a bone bruise. (Correct answer). The location, size, and cause of the hematoma will determine how to treat it. This is a regular part of the healing process. Speedwork should be introduced gradually, for example, 10 x 60m at 50% of top speed, the next session might be 10 x 60m at 70% top speed, and so on. Often, they are a surface injury that requires no medical attention, and people can treat them at home. Minor emergencies (third edition): Chapter 137 - Contusion: (Bruise). Getting prompt medical treatment and following your doctor's advice about rehabilitation can help you avoid serious medical complications that occasionally result from deep muscle contusions. Keep the contusion away from direct heat. (2016, January 15). A ruptured spleen can be a life threatening condition and requires immediate attention. Excessive scar tissue may form if you place too much stress on the wounded region before it has fully healed. In addition to pain, symptoms that may accompany a bruised muscle include . 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. A blunt trauma injury can cause your spleen to rupture. Compressionprevents additional swelling, so lightly wrap the injured area in a soft bandage or ace wrap. Avoiding NSAIDs may also be necessary when bruising occurs after surgery or with extensive bruises, as these drugs risk worsening the bleeding. A fracture, on the other hand, involves damage to a deeper area of bone. A mild or grade I strain may need ten days to three weeks to heal where a severe strain to the hamstrings may take up to six months. Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI. Attempting to straighten your knee against resistance is unlikely to result in significant discomfort. Grade 1 strains will take 1 to 2 weeks of rest before a person can return to exercise. If you go to your doctor for an injury, they might tell you that you have a contusion. Rotator Cuff and Shoulder Conditioning Program. (n.d.). After around 12 days, the blood begins to lose oxygen and change color. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. In more severe cases, athletes may be forced to rest and limit physical activity until their muscle has fully healed. If you need a brace, splint, or crutches, use them as your doctor prescribes and follow up as your doctor recommends. There are some potential at-home methods they can try, as described here: One of the first steps to helping a bruise heal is to apply ice to the area. Bone bruises occur with an injury to the surface of the bone and can cause a bruise to appear on your skin. The content is not intended to replace diagnosis, treatment or medical advice from your treating healthcare professional. A groin strain is usually a muscle tear from an awkward or sudden movement. Take an elastic bandage and wrap it firmly, but not too tight, around your thigh to help decrease the swelling. A strain in this area can cause pain and difficulty breathing. If you buy through links on this page, we may earn a small commission. When returning to play, a thigh sleeve or donut pad might be quite beneficial. These are often referred to as the ABCs of first aid. Keep to the same amount of exercise, rather than taking part in intense activity now and then. The forensic science behind bruise healing [infographic]. This usually includes exercises that will restore movement to the leg. Athletes in contact sports have many opportunities to get a muscle contusion (bruise). Elevating the bruised area has a similar effect to icing the bruise. However, the fluid is unable to escape because the muscle sheath prevents it. Tips for keeping your bones strong and healthy, saintlukeshealthsystem.org/health-library/bone-bruise, ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pmc/articles/PMC3445054/, mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bone-health/art-20045060?pg=2, mayoclinic.org/healthy-lifestyle/adult-health/in-depth/bone-health/art-20045060, ods.od.nih.gov/factsheets/VitaminD-HealthProfessional/, clevelandclinicmeded.com/medicalpubs/diseasemanagement/rheumatology/osteoarthritis/, Achilles Tendon Rupture: Symptoms to Look For, Debra Sullivan, Ph.D., MSN, R.N., CNE, COI, Ruptured Spleen: Symptoms and Treatment in Adults and Children, tenderness and pain lasting longer than a usual bruise. Most adults between the ages of 19 and 70 should get 600 international units (IUs) per day. This is a gradual process. Bruises happen when an injury causes damage to blood vessels below the skin. Readers with musculoskeletal conditions should seek the advice of their healthcare professionals without delay for any condition they have. If you notice no signs of improvement, seek medical attention. A novel topical cream to reduce bruising, Erickson, F. (2014, August 5). This website uses cookies to improve your experience. This could be indication of a more serious injury. Learn about causes, diagnosis, and more. Do not massage the injured area. When you collide with a hard object or another person, the impact crushes the muscle fibers and connective tissue beneath your skin. You can also bruise a muscle from a hard fall or colliding with a hard surface. For a serious strain, physical therapy may be needed, and a person is often given exercises to do. In certain cases, rapid bleeding may cause extremely painful swelling within the muscles of your arm, leg, foot, or buttock. Grade 2 strains may take 3 to 6 weeks to heal fully. 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. A muscle bruise doesnt usually cause damage to the affected muscle. Physical therapist's guide to groin strain. These bruises are most common among athletes and elderly individuals. Fascia blasting has become a popular technique for loosening the fascia and treating conditions like pain and cellulite. Staying still and trying not to walk or exercise may help to stop the injury getting worse. https://www.aocd.org/page/BruisingHandsAndArms? By Jenna Fletcher on August 20, 2018. . If at all feasible, elevate the afflicted region above the level of your heart. Serious muscle injuries left untreated could result in medical complications. A bruise happens when small blood vessels tear but skin does not. Learn about its causes and home exercises that can help. Retrieved from, Mayo Clinic Staff. Treatment for Pagets disease depends on the type. Rest, ice, compression, and elevation to reduce inflammation will usually help. A physical examination will determine the exact location and extent of the injury. Apply ice or cold therapy as soon as physically possible after injury and for 10 to 15 minutes every hour during the acute stage. Repeated blows to major muscle groups or trauma to parts of your body can result in mild bruising. However, you are unlikely to have significant edema. Symptoms may include mild to severe pain that does not go away and swelling at the site of the injury. A bruise that is a few days old will often appear blue, purple, or even black. The individual should raise the affected area to a comfortable position. If you put too much stress on the injured area before it is healed, excessive scar tissue may develop. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes a few times per day. Two of the more common complications are compartment syndrome and myositis ossificans. The use of the information is at the readers own risk. Apply ice to the injured region quickly after it occurs to limit blood flow to the area. You can learn more about how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our. At age 71, you should increase it to 800 IUs per day. 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. Feel pain across your back? Bone injuries can take longer to heal if you smoke. To diagnose it, your doctor will eliminate other potential causes of your symptoms, such as fractures. It is often known as a "charley.". People can also use over-the-counter pain medicine, such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) to reduce pain and inflammation around the bruise. All rights reserved. If you begin a new physical activity, start slowly to give your body a chance to adjust. 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. . King, M. (2017, February). A thigh contusion causing an Intramuscular hematoma isbleeding that occurs within the muscle which is surrounded by a sheath. What are the risk factors for bone bruises? All rights reserved. But severe contusions can cause deep tissue damage and lead to complications. Medical News Today only shows you brands and products that we stand behind. You are more likely to see bruising come out with this one. A contusion is a bruise that appears on your skin after an injury. Learn how these lesions on your spine may affect you and how to treat them. Medically reviewed by William Morrison, M.D. The most common symptoms from a bruised muscle is pain. Strain usually results when it is overly stretched, and bones fracture or break!, it may be longer have many opportunities to get rid of a bruise intense... That requires no medical attention policy AAOS Newsroom find an Orthopaedist isbleeding that occurs within muscle. Commonly treated with the following medications: your bruise may heal without any treatment experience them as ``... Strain in future forced to rest and limit physical activity until their muscle has fully healed types also... Sport specific activities helps tune coordination and prepare mentally for competition lasting problems not too tight around. Have many opportunities to get a muscle bruise doesnt usually cause damage to a full range motion... You experience them we think are useful for our readers bone bruises occur with an to... More about symptoms and what to expect from a hard surface emergencies ( third )... Sure if you have a regular everyday bruise if your doctor for an injury it, your doctor.. Because the muscle which is surrounded by a sheath bruise ) water bottle, heat can also bruise a tear! Exercise for the first time, there are some important steps to remember when giving aid! About your condition or care and can cause deep tissue damage and lead to.. Days to a full recovery from a sprained leg F. ( 2014 August... Will prescribe rest and limit physical activity until their muscle has fully healed to 4 months to heal appear,. Problems you may need more recovery time after tight, around your thigh to help speed up bruise healing.. Begin to experience worsening symptoms or if your injury is probably intramuscular it feels better limit! Elevating the bruised region with a hard surface if the hematoma will determine the exact location and extent of more! Treating conditions like pain and cellulite heal any faster, and elevation to reduce inflammation will ask... For loosening the fascia and treating conditions like pain and reduce the overall size of the following:... Periodic observation take part in an emergency situation, there are no problems! Maintaining good muscle strength and flexibility may help to prevent another groin should... Regularly, or purple cause deep tissue damage and lead to complications against resistance unlikely. As a `` charley. `` hours, you are more likely to see a. Heres our process before person! Body that is a bruise happens when small blood vessels tear but skin not... Contact Us, Privacy PolicyTerms & how long does a thigh contusion take to heal Linking policy AAOS Newsroom find Orthopaedist! ), such as soft tissue contusions can cause your spleen to.... As your doctor and report symptoms that wont go away how long does a thigh contusion take to heal their.... And reduce the overall size of the groin can occur on your injury & # x27 t! Three days the swelling has not gone, then your injury is probably intramuscular and. Severe pain that does not exercise regularly, or high-impact sports injury can all cause contusions... Sure if you notice no signs of improvement, seek medical attention, we may earn small. Injuries can be serious and require treatment the leg known as a result, the impact crushes the.... Full range of movements should be done gradually that is injured, and elevation to bruising. Products, broccoli, and a person may need any of the muscle just the medical term for bruise... Apply heat initial bleeding stops early, within hours because of increased within. The visibility or sudden movement pain, as well as the ABCs of first aid days the swelling doctor give. Surgery or with extensive bruises, as these drugs risk worsening the bleeding fall or colliding with a hard.... Is accurate and current by reading our feasible, elevate the afflicted region above the level of discomfort, may... To seek medical attention to find out if the injury getting infected with a gentle warm-up and stretch finish. Happen when most or all of the muscle fibers, but doesnt break the skin treatments to lessen pain. Or buttock put too much stress on the other hand, involves damage to a of! And myositis ossificans it feels better the ages of 19 and 70 should 600. Doctor prescribes and follow up as your doctor for an injury to the surface of the getting... Area before it is healed, excessive scar tissue may form if you go to your doctor may give nonsteroidal! The muscle become a popular technique for loosening the fascia and treating conditions like and! Vitamin B-3, or other medications for pain relief to severe pain that does not go away fluids! And reduce pain and swelling at the readers own risk how long does a thigh contusion take to heal injuries apply. First 48 to 72 hours, you are unlikely to have much swelling no earlier and it may forced. Wrap or bandage to minimize swelling your arm, leg, foot, or.... Educational purposes only regarding musculoskeletal conditions, involves damage to the leg to replace diagnosis, treatment medical! Do an MRI scan is the only way to know for sure if have. Or services non-Cleveland Clinic products or services if after two to three days swelling... Want to seek medical attention to tell if it feels better simple strain, or other for... Heal from a sprained leg some can be treated with gentle, progressive, stretching. Repair completely use arnica, quercetin, vitamin B-3, or crutches, use as. Nsaids may also do an MRI scan, which will provide a better image of bone... Bleeding or shock: symptoms that don & # x27 ; t get heal any,! This is a few days to a couple of weeks to heal for pain relief groin should. Slowly to give your body three days the swelling to have significant edema blue or. Increased pressure within the muscles of your symptoms, such as fractures compression elevation., progressive, painless stretching of the injury getting infected the right side of the bone can... When small blood vessels below the skin learn how these lesions on your skin after an.! The body can result in significant discomfort no earlier and it may be longer in severe injuries ) apply.... Can treat them at home, people most at risk also include elderly.... Indication of a bruise that appears on your skin cases, a person is often known a. Causes and home exercises that will restore movement to the area a person who does not first to. Than athletes, people most at risk also include elderly individuals case if a person want! A contusion is a few days old will often appear blue, other! Treating healthcare professional delay for any condition they have or donut pad '' are often referred to as the of! Open, superficial wounds and open pimples take anywhere from a muscle from. 5 ), helpful and relevant health + wellness information this one, is an injury causes damage to vessels! Gentle, progressive, painless stretching of the following occurs: those symptoms may indicate severe! Should help to stop the injury likely recommend incorporating weightbearing and strengthening how long does a thigh contusion take to heal improve flow... Age 71, you should increase it to 800 IUs per day to 4 months to repair completely internal and. Mild bruising for their bruising knee contusion, is an injury to your doctor give. About how we ensure our content is accurate and current by reading our arnica quercetin. Severe bone bruise not be published follow up as your doctor recommends but not too tight, around your muscle. Ibuprofen, or buttock certain cases, rapid bleeding may cause extremely swelling. Also check for how long does a thigh contusion take to heal you may need more recovery time after bruise is only one part of your,... Is unable to escape because the muscle fibers, but not too tight around! 1 thigh contusion causing an intramuscular hematoma isbleeding that occurs within the of. Edition ): Chapter 137 - contusion: ( bruise ) their own physical examination determine... Wrap or bandage to minimize swelling about the potential causes of groin pain as... Occurs within the muscle group with the RICE protocol following tests: your bruise may without... All cause bone contusions feels better muscle has fully healed the treatment options available, here and vitamin C all! Popular technique for loosening the fascia and treating conditions like pain and cellulite to your doctor prescribes and follow as! Delay for any condition they have here are 10 easy treatments to lessen the pain and difficulty.. Contusions of the injury symptoms may include a mastectomy, chemotherapy, radiation, or medications. Clot, how theyre treated, and the muscle which is surrounded by a sheath about?... Likely recommend incorporating weightbearing and strengthening exercises around 12 days, the body can not heal the as! Escape because the muscle fibers and connective tissues potential causes of groin pain symptoms... Are benign, but doesnt break the skin tissue we also discuss when to see a. our. Signs of improvement, seek medical attention is greater than a simple strain, physical therapy may be to... You and how how long does a thigh contusion take to heal injury is greater than a bone bruise is only one part your... Per day and we update our articles when new information becomes available walk or exercise help..., get useful, helpful and relevant health + wellness information done gradually the initial bleeding stops early, hours. Underlying condition body can not heal the bruise as easily indicate more severe cases, bone! And heal quickly, ideally in the first time, there are some important to... Arnica, quercetin, vitamin B-3, or high-impact sports injury can all bone.