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Muscle contusions, or bruises, are one of the most common sports injuries. They are caused by a direct blow to the muscle, typically in contact sports, and can range from mild to severe. Mild bruises are often treated at home and cause minimal muscle tearing, while moderate to severe bruises can lead to deep tissue damage and complications. Muscle strains, or pulled muscles, are also common injuries that result from strenuous activity or sudden movements. They are characterised by pain and limited range of motion. Bruising from a muscle strain can occur depending on the severity of the injury, with moderate to severe strains more likely to cause bruising. So, while bruises can cause muscle strain, not all muscle strains will result in bruising.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| What is a muscle contusion | A bruise in your muscle caused by a direct, blunt blow |
| Muscle contusion causes | Trauma or blunt force to a body part, contact sports, hard fall, collision with a hard surface, car accidents |
| Muscle contusion symptoms | Pain, swelling, bruising, weakness or stiffness, difficulty using joints, muscle strain, broken bone, organ damage |
| Muscle contusion treatment | At-home care, RICE protocol, NSAIDs, gentle stretching exercises, surgery (rare) |
| Muscle strain | Tear in muscle fibres, pulled muscle |
| Muscle strain causes | Strenuous workout, sudden movement, lifting heavy objects |
| Muscle strain symptoms | Pain, limited range of motion, bruising (not always) |
| Muscle strain treatment | At-home treatment, RICE protocol, ANF Therapy, physical exam, MRI, medication, surgery (rare) |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle contusions are bruises caused by a direct blow
A muscle contusion is a bruise in the muscle, caused by a direct blow or blunt force to the muscle. This can happen in contact sports, such as American football, where strong forces like tackling or falling on another person can cause a contusion. However, it can also occur outside of sports, for example, due to falls or car accidents.
When a muscle contusion occurs, the impact crushes the muscle fibres and connective tissue beneath the skin, without breaking the skin tissue. This results in bleeding into the affected muscle, causing pain and often a sore bruise. The pain is typically localized to the affected area. In addition to pain, other symptoms that may accompany a muscle contusion include swelling, weakness or stiffness in the injured muscle, and difficulty using joints near the injury.
The severity of a muscle contusion can range from mild to severe. Most contusions are minor and can heal quickly with at-home treatment, such as rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol). However, severe contusions can cause deep tissue damage and lead to complications, such as compartment syndrome and myositis ossificans, which can affect an individual's range of motion. In such cases, medical care and prompt treatment are necessary to avoid serious medical complications.
To diagnose a muscle contusion, a healthcare provider will physically examine the injury, asking about symptoms and how the injury occurred. They may also use imaging tests, such as MRI scans or ultrasound, to assess the extent of the injury. Treatment for muscle contusions typically involves rest, ice, compression bandages, and elevation of the injured area. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, may also be prescribed for pain relief. It is important to refrain from massaging the injured area and to allow sufficient time for healing before returning to physical activity.
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Bruised muscles are common in contact sports
Bruised muscles, or muscle contusions, are a common injury in contact sports. They are caused by a direct, blunt blow to the muscle, which crushes the muscle fibres and connective tissues beneath the skin. This damage can cause internal bleeding, resulting in a sore bruise. While muscle bruises typically do not cause damage to the affected muscle, severe contusions can lead to deep tissue damage and serious complications.
Sports that involve tackling or falling, such as American football, carry a high risk of muscle contusions. The thigh muscles, for example, are particularly vulnerable due to their size. Other factors that increase the risk of muscle bruising include age, malnutrition, and bleeding disorders. People over 65 are more likely to fall and sustain a muscle contusion, and malnutrition can cause weakness and dizziness, increasing the risk of falling. Additionally, those with bleeding disorders like hemophilia may be more prone to muscle contusions as their blood vessels are more susceptible to breakage after an impact.
Athletes with mild muscle bruising are often able to continue playing with the help of protective devices and padding. These devices spread out the force of impact, reducing the risk of further injury. However, severe bruising may require athletes to rest and limit physical activity until the muscle has fully healed. Most muscle bruises can be treated at home using the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. For more severe cases, medical attention should be sought to prevent serious complications.
To prevent muscle contusions, athletes can take several precautions. Proper training, warm-up, and cool-down exercises can help reduce the risk of overworking muscles. Wearing protective equipment during contact sports and clearing clutter to prevent falls are also recommended. Additionally, those at high risk of falling may consider using walking aids for added stability. By taking these preventive measures, athletes can lower their chances of sustaining a muscle contusion.
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Bruises can cause muscle strains, but not always
A bruised muscle, or muscle contusion, is an injury to the muscle fibres and connective tissues. Bruised muscles are typically caused by trauma or a blunt force blow to a body part. This trauma crushes the muscle fibres but does not break the skin tissue. In many cases, a bruised muscle is considered a mild injury, but in more severe cases, they can lead to serious tissue damage and complications.
Muscle strains, or pulled muscles, are common but painful injuries. They are tears in the muscle fibres, ranging from mild to severe. Strains can occur after a strenuous workout, a sudden movement, or lifting something too heavy. Bruising from a muscle strain happens in some cases, depending on the severity of the injury. Mild strains do not cause bruising as there is minimal muscle tearing and no significant damage to blood vessels. However, moderate to severe strains are most likely to damage the blood capillaries, leading to bruising.
Bruising caused by muscle strain has specific characteristics. Bruising does not appear immediately after the injury. It takes hours or days for blood to pool under the skin, depending on the severity of the injury. Bruising usually occurs near the site of injury, but in the case of a hamstring strain, it may cause bruising along the back of the thigh. The bruise evolves, starting as reddish-purple and turning green or yellow as it heals. Depending on the severity of the injury, bruising is associated with swelling, tenderness, pain, and reduced mobility of the affected muscle.
Deep muscle bruises can cause painful swelling and lead to a condition called compartment syndrome. This is a dangerous condition that can decrease blood flow to the muscle and nerve cells, leading to tissue death and potential loss of limb. Another complication is myositis ossificans, where the muscle tissues harden and form bone, affecting the range of motion.
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Bruising from a strain depends on the severity of the injury
Bruising from a muscle strain depends on the severity of the injury. A muscle strain is a tear in the muscle fibres, also known as a pulled muscle. It is characterised by pain and a limited range of motion. Bruising does not always occur with muscle strains, but it can happen in some cases, depending on the severity of the injury. Mild strains, for instance, do not cause bruising as there is minimal muscle tearing and no significant damage to blood vessels. However, in more severe cases, there is a higher likelihood of bruising along with other symptoms such as swelling, tenderness, pain, and reduced mobility of the affected muscle.
The severity of a muscle strain is graded by healthcare providers. A mild muscle strain (Grade I) involves minor damage to the muscle, while a moderate strain (Grade II) has torn through some or most of the muscle, affecting muscle strength and range of motion. A severe strain (Grade III) indicates a complete tear of the muscle, which can result in severe bruising and other complications.
The appearance of bruising after a muscle strain can take time, usually hours or days, as blood pools under the skin. The bruise typically evolves in colour, starting as reddish-purple and then turning green or yellow as it heals. Bruising usually occurs near the site of the injury, but in the case of a hamstring strain, it may appear along the back of the thigh.
It is important to note that muscle strains can vary in severity and may require different treatments. While many pulled muscles can be treated at home, severe strains may necessitate medical care and even surgery. In some cases, advanced treatments such as ANF Therapy®️ are used to address muscle strain and associated bruising. This approach utilises frequency-based devices to promote healing, increase muscle strength, and reduce inflammation without relying on medications or surgery.
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Treatment options for muscle bruises and strains
Muscle bruises, or muscle contusions, are injuries to the muscle fibres and connective tissues. They are typically caused by trauma or a blow to the body, which crushes the muscle fibres without breaking the skin tissue. Bruised muscles are usually mild injuries, but they can lead to serious tissue damage and complications if severe.
Bruised muscles are very common, especially in contact sports such as football, rugby, and lacrosse. They also occur in non-contact sports like soccer, baseball, and basketball. The most common areas of injury are the thigh, followed by the arm.
Most muscle bruises can be treated at home and do not require surgery. Here are some treatment options for muscle bruises and strains:
RICE Method
The RICE method is often recommended for the first 24 to 48 hours after a muscle injury. It stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation:
- Rest: Protect the injured area from further harm by stopping physical activity.
- Ice: Apply cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. Do not apply ice directly to the skin; wrap it in a damp cloth or towel to avoid ice burns.
- Compression: Lightly wrap the injured area in a soft bandage to provide support and reduce bleeding and swelling.
- Elevation: Raise the injured area above the level of the heart to control bleeding and swelling.
Non-Steroidal Anti-Inflammatory Drugs (NSAIDs)
Your doctor may prescribe or recommend over-the-counter NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen, to reduce inflammation and provide pain relief. Corticosteroids (cortisone) may also be prescribed.
Gentle Stretching and Movement
After the initial acute phase of 24 to 48 hours, gentle stretching exercises and early movement can help improve flexibility and prevent scar tissue formation. However, avoid massaging the injured area.
Protective Devices
When returning to physical activity, your doctor may recommend using protective devices such as crutches, a sling, or custom padding to prevent further injury to the affected area.
Surgery
Surgery is rarely required for muscle bruises or strains.
It is important to seek medical attention if your symptoms do not improve within a few days, as this could indicate a more serious injury. Additionally, severe muscle contusions can lead to medical complications such as compartment syndrome and myositis ossificans, which can cause dangerous disruptions to blood flow and nerve cells.
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Frequently asked questions
A muscle contusion, or bruised muscle, is an injury to the muscle fibres and connective tissues. It is caused by a direct, blunt blow to the muscle, which crushes the muscle fibres but does not break the skin tissue.
Yes, bruises can cause muscle strain, but not always. Bruising from a muscle strain depends on the severity of the injury. Mild strains do not cause bruising as there is minimal muscle tearing and no significant damage to blood vessels. Moderate and severe strains are most likely to damage the blood capillaries, leading to bruising.
Muscle contusions can be treated at home with the RICE protocol: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Doctors may also prescribe anti-inflammatory medication to reduce inflammation and speed up recovery. In rare cases, surgery may be required.
