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Lower Leg Contusions: What You Should Know

About:

Contusions are tissue injuries that cause purplish or bluish bruises on the leg.

Contusions account for around 19% of all lower extremity injuries [1].

- Self-treatable
- In some cases, to be treated by a medical professional
- Lab testing or imaging rarely required
- Short term condition that resolves within days or weeks

The bruises are a form of hematoma in which soft tissues like muscle fibers, connective tissues, blood vessels, and nerves have got injured. A direct blow or trauma to the muscles can cause internal bleeding, and the muscles may get crushed against the bone. Sportspersons such as soccer players are generally the most commonly affected by lower leg contusions. The extent of contusions can be:
- Grade 1 (mild) with light bruising and a little pain
- Grade 2 (moderate) with noticeable pain, slight swelling, and a limp in the leg
- and
- Grade 3 (severe) with significant loss of motion.

The condition usually affects sportspersons in the age group of 6 to 40.

Symptoms

Self-diagnosable:
Pain in the lower leg with swelling and bruising

People may also experience:
Mild to moderate to severe pain
Inability to move or lift the leg without pain
Muscle tightness, tenderness, and warm skin

Treatment

Self-care: The RICE ( Rest-Ice- Compression - Elevation) technique can be followed. Besides resting the leg, you can apply ice over the contusions for at least 20 minutes. After this, you can use compression by wrapping the injured area lightly and keep the leg elevated from time to time.

Medication: Non-steroidal, anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medicines are generally prescribed by a doctor in case you need further medical treatment.

Specialist: For medical advice and treatment, consult an orthopedic surgeon or a physiotherapist. At Mfine, our primary motive is to tend to all patients with quality care and hospitality.