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Bruises are usually the result of an injury, such as a fall or a blow from an object or another person. They can also be caused by colliding with a hard surface. Bruises occur when blood vessels break and blood leaks into areas under the skin, resulting in pain, swelling, and skin discolouration. Muscle bruises, or muscle contusions, are caused by a direct blow from a blunt object, crushing the muscle fibres and connective tissue without breaking the skin. Muscle bruises are common in contact sports and can range from mild to severe. Treatment for muscle bruises includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation, also known as the RICE method.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Direct, blunt blow to the muscle |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, skin bruising, weakness or stiffness in the injured muscle, difficulty using joints near the injury |
| Treatment | RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation), gentle stretching exercises, surgery (rare), medication (e.g. acetaminophen, NSAIDs) |
| Prevention | Protective gear, proper sports equipment, avoiding falls, wearing seat belts |
| Healing Time | A few days to a few weeks or months, depending on severity |
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What You'll Learn
Muscle contusions
A muscle contusion, or muscle bruise, is an injury to the soft tissue (muscle fibres, connective tissue, blood vessels, and nerves) of the upper leg. The most commonly involved muscle is the quadriceps, which is one of the largest muscles in the body. A muscle contusion is caused by a direct, blunt blow to the muscle, usually from a fall or collision with a hard object or person during contact sports.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after injury (the acute phase), it is important to use the RICE method to control bleeding, swelling, and pain. Immobilizing the limb with the muscle stretched can also help to minimize the size of any hematoma that forms. After a few days, inflammation and swelling should start to decrease, and gentle heat can be applied to the injury. It is important to keep exercising the uninjured parts of the body to maintain overall fitness.
Depending on the extent of the injury, returning to normal sports activity may take several weeks or longer. If there is a large hematoma that does not go away within several days, a doctor may drain it to speed up healing. Severe muscle contusions may require surgery to address compartment syndrome or myositis ossificans, two common complications of deep muscle contusions.
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Treatment and recovery
Bruises on muscles, or muscle contusions, are typically caused by trauma or blunt force 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 and can be treated at home. However, severe cases can lead to serious tissue damage and complications, and may require medical attention.
For the first 24 to 48 hours after sustaining a muscle bruise, it is recommended to follow the RICE protocol:
- Rest: Rest the injured area to allow for maximum healing.
- Ice: Apply ice immediately after the injury to reduce blood flow to the area, minimising the amount of blood that leaks into the surrounding tissue.
- Compression: Apply pressure to the injured area to prevent blood vessels from leaking and to reduce swelling.
- Elevation: Keep the injured area elevated above the level of the heart to reduce swelling and encourage blood flow back from the injured area.
After the initial 24 to 48 hours, inflammation and swelling should start to decrease, and you may begin to gently apply heat to the injury to boost circulation and increase blood flow, helping to clear away trapped blood. It is important to gradually increase your activity level and only return to sports or strenuous activities when you have regained full strength and endurance. Your doctor may recommend physical therapy to aid in increasing mobility.
To speed up the healing process, various home remedies can be used:
- Vitamin K: Gently rub vitamin K cream onto the bruise at least twice a day.
- Aloe Vera: Apply pure aloe vera gel topically to reduce pain and inflammation.
- Vitamin C: Apply topically or take as a supplement to promote wound healing due to its anti-inflammatory properties.
- Bromelain: Eat pineapple or take bromelain supplements to help reduce the severity of the bruise and inflammation.
- Arnica: This homeopathic herb is said to reduce inflammation and swelling.
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Causes
A muscle contusion or bruised muscle is typically caused by trauma or a direct, blunt blow to a body part. This trauma crushes the muscle fibres and connective tissue beneath the skin but does not break the skin tissue.
Muscle bruises are often the result of blunt force or trauma to the body and are most common in direct contact sports. Athletes in contact sports have many opportunities to get a muscle contusion, making it the second most common sports injury. In fact, strong forces like tackling or falling on top of someone in sports like American football can lead to bruises on the thigh muscles.
Muscle bruises can also occur due to falls or traumatic events like car accidents. Other factors that can increase the risk of a muscle contusion include age, malnutrition, and bleeding disorders. People over 65 are more likely to develop injuries from falling due to weakened bones and muscles. Poor nutrition can cause weakness and dizziness, increasing the risk of falling and getting a muscle bruise. Lastly, having a bleeding disorder like hemophilia can make it more likely that your blood vessels will break after an impact, resulting in a muscle bruise.
Repeated blows to major muscle groups or trauma to body parts can also result in mild bruising. These bruises are most common among athletes and elderly individuals. Recovery time can vary from a few days to a few weeks, depending on the severity of the injury.
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Symptoms
A muscle contusion is a bruise in the muscle that occurs when a direct blow from an object strikes part of the body, crushing the underlying muscle fibres and connective tissue without breaking the skin. Bruised muscles are typically caused by trauma or blunt force to a body part.
Muscle contusions are almost always painful. The pain may subside around 3 days after the injury. The bruise begins as a pinkish-red colour that can be very tender to touch. Eventually, the bruise changes to a bluish colour, then greenish-yellow, and finally returns to the normal skin colour as it heals. The affected area may also experience swelling (edema) and skin bruising. Other symptoms include weakness or stiffness in the injured muscle, and difficulty using the joint(s) near the injury.
Depending on the intensity of the trauma, there may be additional injuries, including:
- Muscle hematoma (a buildup of blood in the muscle tissue)
- Sprain (stretching or tearing of ligaments in a joint)
- Dislocated joint
- Muscle strain
- Broken bone
- Damage to internal organs if the hit was to the abdomen
In rare cases, a muscle contusion can lead to serious tissue damage and complications such as compartment syndrome and myositis ossificans.
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Prevention
Bruised muscles are typically caused by trauma or a blow to the body. This trauma crushes the muscle fibres, but does not break the skin. Bruised muscles are most common in contact sports, but they can also occur due to falls or accidents. Other factors that can increase the risk of a muscle bruise include age, malnutrition and bleeding disorders.
To prevent muscle bruising, it is important to take certain precautions, especially if you are an athlete or are over the age of 65. Here are some ways to reduce the risk of muscle bruising:
Wear Protective Gear: When playing contact sports, wear the proper protective equipment, such as thigh pads, hip guards, elbow pads, shin guards, and knee pads. This will help pad the areas most frequently bruised and spread out the force of impact.
Be Mindful of Your Surroundings: Take precautions to avoid falls, which are a common cause of muscle bruising. Be careful when climbing on ladders or objects, and avoid standing or kneeling on countertops.
Use a Seat Belt: Always wear a seat belt when in a motor vehicle. This can help reduce the impact and trauma to your body in the event of an accident, lowering the risk of muscle bruising.
Maintain Good Nutrition: Proper nutrition is important to maintain muscle strength and overall health. Malnutrition can cause weakness and dizziness, increasing the risk of falls and subsequent muscle bruising.
Strengthen Muscles: Building and strengthening your muscles can help them better withstand impact and reduce the likelihood of bruising. Focus on exercises that target the muscles most susceptible to bruising, such as the thighs and hips.
Improve Balance and Coordination: Working on your balance and coordination can help you avoid falls and collisions, reducing the risk of muscle bruising. This is especially important for older individuals who are more prone to falling.
While it is not always possible to prevent muscle bruising, implementing these strategies can help reduce the likelihood and severity of such injuries.
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Frequently asked questions
A muscle contusion is a bruise in the muscle, caused by a direct, blunt blow to the muscle. This crushes the muscle fibres and connective tissue, without breaking the skin.
For the first 24-48 hours, use the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and
Recovery time can range from a few days to a few weeks, or even months for more severe injuries.
Muscle bruises are almost always painful. Other symptoms include swelling, skin bruising, weakness or stiffness in the injured muscle, and difficulty using the joint(s) near the injury.
If you play contact sports, wear protective gear such as thigh pads, hip guards, and elbow pads.
