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A bruised muscle, or muscle contusion, is an injury to the muscle fibres and connective tissues. It is often caused by a direct blow from an object or another person, damaging the underlying muscle fibres and connective tissues without breaking the skin. This can cause bleeding beneath the skin, resulting in pain, swelling, and skin discolouration. Muscle bruises are one of the most common sports injuries, especially in contact sports, but they can also occur due to falls or accidents. The treatment for a muscle bruise typically involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), along with over-the-counter medication to manage pain and inflammation.
| Characteristics | Values |
|---|---|
| Cause | Direct, blunt blow to a muscle |
| Common in | Athletes, elderly individuals |
| Symptoms | Pain, swelling, skin discolouration, soreness, tenderness, limited range of motion |
| Treatment | RICE method, medication, physical therapy, protective gear, immobilization |
| Complications | Deep tissue damage, compartment syndrome, myositis ossificans, bone fractures |
| Healing Time | Few days to months |
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What You'll Learn
Trauma or blunt force to a body part
A bruised muscle, or muscle contusion, is an injury to the muscle fibres and connective tissues. Bruised muscles 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.
Muscle contusions are common in contact sports, such as American football, where players frequently collide with one another. The thigh muscles, for example, are some of the largest muscles in the body, making them an easy target for injury. Strong forces, such as tackling or falling on top of someone, can lead to bruises on these muscles.
Outside of sports, muscle contusions can also occur due to falls or traumatic events like car accidents. Elderly individuals are particularly susceptible to bruising from falls.
The symptoms of a bruised muscle include pain, stiffness, and weakness in the affected area. There may also be swelling and bluish discolouration due to torn blood vessels. In most cases, a bruised muscle is considered a mild injury, and athletes are often able to continue playing with only mild bruising.
However, severe contusions can cause deep tissue damage and lead to serious complications. In these cases, athletes may be forced to rest and limit physical activity until the muscle has fully healed.
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Compartment syndrome
Acute compartment syndrome (ACS) is characterised by intense pain, swollen muscles, and visibly bulging muscles. It is often caused by physical trauma, such as bone fractures, crush injuries, car accidents, or intense sports. ACS occurs when there is too much pressure around the muscles, which restricts blood flow, oxygen, and nutrient supply to the muscles and nerves. This can lead to tissue death and permanent damage if not treated promptly. The classic symptoms of ACS include severe pain, decreased blood flow, reduced movement, numbness, and a pale limb. The pain is often disproportionate to the injury and may not be relieved by rest or strong painkillers.
Chronic compartment syndrome (CCS), also known as chronic exertional compartment syndrome (CECS), causes pain during exercise, which fades after activity stops. It is commonly associated with repetitive motion activities such as running, biking, or marching. CCS can cause pain, tightness, cramps, weakness, and numbness. The pain may last for months or even years but can be relieved with rest. In some cases, physical therapy or surgery may be recommended if rest does not provide relief.
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Myositis ossificans
The exact cause of myositis ossificans is not fully understood, but it is believed to be a reaction to the healing process of a bruised muscle. During this process, calcium can become deposited in the bruise, leading to the formation of a hard bone-like structure within the muscle. This can cause a loss of motion and range of motion, which can be dangerous for athletes.
Diagnosis of myositis ossificans typically involves a physical examination, an X-ray, and other imaging tests such as MRI or ultrasound. Treatment options are limited once the condition is established, and prevention is the best strategy. Rest and gentle pain-free range-of-motion exercises are usually recommended, and in some cases, surgical resection may be necessary.
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$17.17
Bone bruises
A bone bruise, or bone contusion, is an injury to a bone that is less severe than a fracture. Bone bruises are similar to bruises on the skin, but they are more serious because bone damage can take longer to heal and may lead to fractures. Bone bruises can happen to people of all ages and affect any bone in the body. They are common after traumas or other severe injuries, such as sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or falls from a height. Twisting injuries, such as those that cause joint sprains, can also cause bone bruises.
- Subperiosteal hematoma: Bleeding occurs beneath the periosteum, a thin membrane of blood vessels and nerves that covers most bones.
- Subchondral bone bruise: Bleeding and swelling occur in the area between the cartilage and the bone beneath it.
- Intraosseous bone bruise: Bleeding and swelling happen in the medulla, the deep inner region of the bone containing bone marrow and fibrous tissue.
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Age and risk of injury
Age is a significant factor in the risk of muscle injury and subsequent recovery time. While anyone can bruise a muscle, older individuals are more susceptible to muscle contusions and strains. This is due to several age-related factors that increase the likelihood of muscle injury and influence the recovery process.
Firstly, chronological ageing leads to structural and functional changes in skeletal muscle. These changes include a loss of muscle strength and size, known as sarcopenia, which is a primary contributor to the physical and functional decline in older adults. The composition and properties of collagen in skeletal muscle also change with age, resulting in decreased collagen tortuosity, anisotropy, and abundance of compliant components such as elastin and collagen type III. This leads to increased muscle stiffness, which further elevates the risk of injury.
Additionally, older muscles exhibit a decrease in satellite cell adaptability, resulting in a fibrotic phenotype. This manifests as excessive connective tissue accumulation, increased non-enzymatic crosslinking, and a longer collagen half-life. These age-related alterations in muscle composition can negatively impact the recovery process, making it more challenging for muscles to regenerate and restore their performance fully.
Moreover, muscle strength, endurance, work capacity, and power tend to decline with age. This decline begins in adulthood and continues into advanced age, increasing susceptibility to soft-tissue maladaptation. As a result, older individuals may experience a slower recovery from muscle injuries and require more time to heal completely.
Age-related biological changes also play a role in the increased risk of muscle injury. The biological ageing process can lead to functional limitations resulting from improper maintenance and restoration of organ systems, negatively impacting overall health and independence. This includes the skeletal muscle system, which becomes more susceptible to injury as it loses its ability to respond effectively to varying stimuli.
To mitigate the effects of ageing on muscle health, resistance exercise (RE) and eccentric exercises are recommended. These exercises can help improve overall muscle health and tissue quality, positively impacting the muscle's safety threshold and responsivity. By delaying age-related deterioration, these exercises may reduce the incidence of injury, enhance recovery time, and lessen the overall burden of muscle injuries in older individuals.
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Frequently asked questions
A bruised muscle, or muscle contusion, is an injury to your muscle fibres and connective tissues. It is often associated with the muscles in the upper leg.
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.
Athletes in contact sports are at a high risk of muscle contusions. Elderly individuals are also at risk due to an increased likelihood of falling.
Mild muscle bruises can be treated with the RICE method: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Over-the-counter medication can help relieve pain and decrease inflammation.
The most common symptom is pain, along with swelling and skin discolouration. Bruised muscles may also limit your range of motion.
