home Audience 6 I hurt my leg - what to do? How to distinguish a bruise from a fracture. What actions are needed if you bruise your leg? If your leg is severely bruised, what should you do?

I hurt my leg - what to do? How to distinguish a bruise from a fracture. What actions are needed if you bruise your leg? If your leg is severely bruised, what should you do?

A leg injury is one of the most common reasons for visiting a traumatologist. However, many still underestimate damage of this kind. Moreover, some of the complications of a bruise can lead not only to impaired mobility of the limb, but also to death. For traumatologists, it is a “graveyard of diagnoses”, because such damage is attributed to all patients in whom it was not possible to detect a dislocation, fracture or ligament damage. But is a bruise really so safe?

Causes

A leg bruise is a soft tissue injury without skin rupture or bone damage. Typically, such injuries occur in everyday life, for example, when accidentally hitting furniture, household appliances, or when a heavy object falls on the leg. At the same time, in winter, street injuries due to ice increase.

Typically, athletes at risk are: football players with frequent ankle injuries, athletes, wrestlers and boxers who compete in sparring. Some professions are also susceptible to injury: builders, high-altitude fitters, taxi drivers, pilots, etc.

Multiple leg bruises can be caused by natural accidents, disasters, military operations, industrial or transport accidents. In such situations, bruises are combined with compression, fractures and other injuries.

Symptoms of a leg injury

The manifestations of a leg bruise are in many ways similar to other limb injuries: dislocations, cracks, fractures. The pain syndrome occurs first: usually the peak of pain occurs at the time of injury, after which acute pain is replaced by dull and aching pain. The exception is a blow that leads to detachment of the periosteum. The latter is rich in nerve endings, which is why patients can experience severe pain for a long time (even to the point of loss of consciousness).

A characteristic manifestation of a contusion is a bruise. It appears when blood vessels rupture during an impact. In this case, the spilled blood permeates the tissues, after which it is visible through the skin in the form of a purple “bruise”. Over time, blood cells are destroyed, causing the bruise to change color to blue and then green.

Forensic experts use the effect described above when examining victims - determining the duration and severity of the injury. Moreover, if the bruise does not change in color, it is necessary to suspect concomitant soft tissue pathology.

If a periarticular vessel is damaged, blood may leak into the joint cavity - hemarthrosis, which limits movement in the affected joint.

The tissues around the site of injury usually swell gradually, their temperature is elevated, and sometimes paleness is observed (in the first minutes of injury due to a reflex spasm of the arteries), and then redness (as a response to cell damage and the onset of an inflammatory reaction). In this case, loss of not only motor, but also support functions is possible.

Injury options

The bruise varies depending on the location. Moreover, each injury has its own symptoms and course characteristics.

Hip joint

A contusion wound in the upper thigh occurs when landing from the side or from a perpendicular blow to the hip joint. Often the injury occurs in the peritrochanteric (near the femoral head) soft tissues; sometimes areas with protruding bony parts of the ischial tuberosities or iliac crests can be damaged.

Typically, the injury is accompanied by pain, local swelling, and stiffness of movement in the hip. Impaired mobility may be associated with joint swelling or psychological restriction that causes fear of increased pain. In this case, the supporting function of the injured leg is always preserved.

Often a bruise appears in the area of injury, but the occurrence of a hematoma is rare. Palpation of the hip joint does not cause sharp pain, however, general pain may increase when palpating the hematoma site.

It is worth remembering that shortening of the leg, the inability to raise the limb while lying down (tear the heel bone off the bed) or its forced position may indicate a bruise due to a fracture of the femoral neck. Such an injury requires surgical treatment with the application of a pin or installation of a prosthesis.

Hip

A leg bruise in the thigh area occurs as a result of a direct blow from a blunt object or a bumper during a transport accident. Athletes often suffer from this type of injury when they fall incorrectly.

Pain from hip bruises can be local (for minor injuries) or diffuse when the injury is severe. In the latter case, the pain syndrome spreads over the entire surface of the thigh, while the greatest pain is localized in the area of injury.

Often, due to bruised wounds, severe swelling appears, due to which the thigh increases in volume. The latter is due to high blood flow and the presence of a powerful muscle frame in the injury area. Usually, in addition to edema, extensive hemorrhages, subcutaneous and intermuscular hematomas are observed.

Be careful! Tense intermuscular hematomas can lead to persistent pain, impaired circulation of surrounding tissues and their necrosis (death).

As a rule, limb movements are limited due to severe edema, lameness appears, while supporting function remains unchanged. Palpation of the thigh causes increased pain, while the limb is straight (the axis is not curved), and no “crunching” is observed during palpation.

Knee

Knee joint injuries are common consequences of falls and landings on the knees. Typically, swelling, pain, hemorrhages into the joint cavity and impaired mobility appear in the damaged area. Often the injury is accompanied by bruising on the sides of the joint.

Upon examination, the shape of the joint is preserved, but during palpation the pain syndrome intensifies. In this case, the bone protrusions are located anatomically correctly, the patella is in the center of the joint, and the “crunch” characteristic of a comminuted fracture is also absent. The leg is slightly bent at the knee level, its full extension is difficult.

Shin

A leg bruise in the shin area is often a sports injury (the result of a direct blow to the tibia). Usually the damage is accompanied by swelling and local pain. Limb mobility is somewhat limited, and lameness may occur. Bruising is not uncommon in the area of injury. Hemorrhages also often form - intermuscular hematomas, which, due to the smaller number of muscles, are easier to diagnose than on the thigh.

Bruises in the inner region of the leg, where the subcutaneous fat layer is adjacent directly to the bone, may be accompanied by necrosis of the skin and its subsequent detachment.

If the bruise is characterized by unusual or hypermobility, bone crunching, axis disruption or shortening of the limb, then a fracture of the tibia should be suspected.

Ankle

An ankle joint bruise occurs when there are sports injuries, blows, or an object falling on the ankle, which is accompanied by severe pain. Typically, the damaged area exhibits blue discoloration (cyanosis) and swelling of the surrounding tissue. Blood permeates the thickness of the skin - a “bruise” forms. Gait is often disturbed and lameness appears. In some cases, it is difficult to support the foot.

Palpation of bones and ligaments is not accompanied by pain, crepitus or excessive mobility. Otherwise, it is necessary to suspect a violation of the integrity of the bones or a dislocation.

Foot

Foot injuries are a common injury among active people, children and runners. Typically, patients note severe pain and tissue swelling that does not extend to the sole of the foot. Bruising is common, while the formation of hematomas is an occasional case.

The intensity of pain increases with hemorrhages in the nail bed or capsule of small joints. Negative dynamics are due to growing tissue tension. Movement is preserved, but is limited by pain and swelling. The support function also suffers, but only slightly.

Severity of injury

In addition to different locations, leg bruises can have different degrees of severity. Thus, a mild injury is accompanied by slight bruising and pain at the time of injury. Typically, such bruises do not limit the usual rhythm of life, and therefore go unnoticed.

Moderate injuries are accompanied by bruising, swelling and pain lasting 3-4 days.

In moderate cases of bruise, swelling is more pronounced, hemorrhages may occur, and pain syndrome requires drug therapy. Typically, similar symptoms are observed with bruised knees.

Severe bruises are injuries with complications. As a rule, lesions of this nature may be accompanied by tissue necrosis, which requires emergency medical attention. Typically, severe damage to a limb (grade IV) is called a bruise in combination with a fracture or dislocation. It will take months to treat and rehabilitate such patients.

Complications

Bruises can be complicated by severe injuries, untimely or inadequate treatment, as well as concomitant pathologies:

Ossification. Hemorrhage formed between the muscle bundles, if not treated correctly, leads to muscle necrosis. In such cases, fibrin threads (connective tissue fibers), as well as minerals, are deposited in the area of the hematoma. This leads to a noticeable thickening of the muscle cords, which can be felt through the skin. Such “formations” can compress nerve bundles, causing pain, as well as sensory and/or motor disorders.
Thrombophlebitis. Sometimes after injuries, blood clots can form in the superficial veins (especially if the leg injury occurred against the background of increased blood clotting). In such cases, pain and swelling intensify, and a tortuous and inflamed venous vessel can be seen under the skin. The danger of such conditions is the possible detachment of a blood clot and its migration into the vessels of the lungs - pulmonary embolism. This complication can be fatal and therefore requires emergency care.
Purulent inflammation. In some cases (against the background of immunodeficiency), intermuscular hemorrhages can become infected from foci of infection in the body itself. This leads to purulent inflammation - abscesses, which often form on the lower legs and thighs. The patient’s general condition also worsens: fever, chills and weakness appear, complicated by severe pain.
Periostitis. An inflammatory reaction in the periosteum - the tissue that feeds the bone - often occurs without bacterial flora. Accompanied by burning pain and fever. In some cases, detachment of the periosteum is possible, followed by necrosis of the bone area.
Long lasting pain. This complication occurs in cases where suspicious or indifferent patients do not carry out proper rehabilitation after a bruise. As a result, the tissues are susceptible to circulatory and local metabolism disorders, which leads to persistent pain and limited movement of the limb.

Diagnostics

A bruised leg does not require specific research methods. Typically, the diagnosis is made based on the nature and circumstances of the injury, as well as a physical examination with palpation of the injured area.

However, in controversial situations, to exclude dislocations, cracks or fractures, X-ray diagnostics may be required - the “gold” standard for bone tissue studies. The method of choice in such cases is computed tomography.

If there is suspicion of damage to the joint structures, an ultrasound examination is necessary. In severe cases, when a bruise is accompanied by a rupture of the ligamentous apparatus, arthroscopy may be required - a low-traumatic manipulation with the introduction of a video camera into the joint cavity. A similar procedure is used for the purpose of diagnosis and subsequent treatment.

If soft tissue pathology or intermuscular hematoma is suspected, magnetic resonance imaging is performed, which is characterized by good visualization of “soft” tissues and vessels.

Treatment of a leg bruise

Help for leg bruises begins with immobilization of the affected limb. For this purpose, splints, splints, plaster casts or orthoses can be used. Before immobilization, it is important to treat the skin (in case of scratches) with antiseptics (Ethanol, Chlorhexidine).

In the first two days, to reduce swelling and pain, it is recommended to apply bags of ice (or a frozen mug of water) to the site of the injury. Similar procedures are repeated every 5 hours, with the compress applied for no more than 20 minutes. If you neglect the duration of cooling, you can worsen the condition of the limb by getting frostbite.

Be careful! Two days after the injury, the cold is replaced by heat compresses, which are installed according to the same principle. The measure is aimed at increasing blood flow in the area of injury and accelerating the resorption of the bruise.

3 hours after the injury, a pressure bandage must be applied. Compression stockings or an elastic bandage are usually used for this. A bandage is applied to the site of the bruise, covering healthy tissue above and below the injury. At the same time, it is important to monitor the condition of the leg below the level of the bandage: if pallor and slight tingling appear, you need to release the compression.

It is important to give the affected limb an elevated position: the level of the leg should be higher than that of the heart. Such manipulations facilitate the outflow of blood from the limb, increase the flow to the heart, and also reduce swelling. The elevated position should be maintained for the leg during night sleep, using a bolster pillow or placing the limb on the foot of the bed.

Drug therapy. Usually, following the recommendations noted above allows you to forget about a slight bruise within a week, returning to your usual rhythm of life. However, in some situations, drug therapy may be required. For pain relief, it is possible to use non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (Ketorolac, Analgin). An option to reduce pain is “distraction” therapy, for example, mustard plasters or ointments with capsaicin (pepper extract). Such products have a local irritating effect, which allows not only to get rid of pain, but also to improve blood flow to the site of the bruise. To increase the rate of bruise resorption, it is possible to use heparin ointment or Troxevasin gel. The products not only accelerate the lysis (“splitting”) of blood clots, but also help get rid of swelling.
Surgery. Old bruises, intermuscular hemorrhages and non-resorbable hematomas may require surgical treatment. Usually we are talking about opening and draining the hematoma. If the injury is complicated by a comminuted fracture, rupture of muscles, tendons or ligaments, appropriate surgical interventions are carried out aimed at restoring the integrity of the damaged structures. However, such cases with leg bruises are rare.

Rehabilitation

In order to restore the mobility of the injured limb, the following is carried out:

Therapeutic exercise (indicated from the second day after injury). Usually the affected joint (or the joints adjacent to the point of injury) is kneaded. Start with typical movements: flexion/extension, as well as gentle rotation.
Self-massage. The procedure is carried out in the following order: stroking, then rubbing in the direction from the feet to the hip joint, tapping and stroking again. You can use essential oil or massage cream as an oil. Such procedures should be carried out immediately after gymnastics or at night, which will reduce swelling and increase blood microcirculation in injured tissues.
Physiotherapy (aimed at reducing pain, swelling and increasing microcirculation). As a rule, magnetic and amplipulse therapy are used, as well as phonophoresis, laser procedures and exposure to a high-frequency magnetic field.

Prevention of bruise

To prevent a leg bruise, you must:

move carefully around the house and street, especially in the winter season;
observe safety precautions when using household appliances;
when lifting or lowering heavy objects, spread your legs wide, thereby reducing the load on the spine and preventing the object from falling on your legs;
adhere to production instructions in industrial conditions (in factories and construction sites, in mines, etc.);
athletes need to conduct a high-quality warm-up before training, as well as promptly examine and treat occupational ailments;
It is worth ensuring your safety (finding shelter) during natural disasters, military operations or industrial accidents.

Complications of a bruised wound can be prevented by following treatment recommendations (immobilization, cold, compression, leg elevation) and quality rehabilitation (gymnastics, self-massage and physiotherapy).

Legs can take from one to several weeks depending on the approach and thoroughness of therapy. However, it is worth remembering that such injuries are fraught with complications, which only a specialist can determine!

Doctors define a bruise as damage to soft tissue without compromising the integrity of the skin. Such an injury can occur when falling on a hard object or, conversely, from a blow to the lower limb with a hard object.

A severe bruise is very easy to confuse with a more serious injury - rupture of ligaments and muscles or a fracture. This happens because the injuries are similar in basic features.

Causes

A leg bruise can occur from a fall, a blow, or being pinched by a door. Playing sports, in particular extreme sports, as well as road accidents also serve as circumstances for getting bruises.

The main factors for leg injury are:

The foot and ankle joint may be injured if a heavy object falls on the leg;

A bruise to the calf muscle most often occurs when there is a direct blow to the leg with a heavy object;

The hip can be injured during an accident, during a fall, while playing sports, or from a strong blow;

A knee bruise occurs from a fall and a blow to the knee joint;

The hip joint suffers from impacts and falls on the side. All segments of the population are susceptible to all these factors, but most of all children, the elderly and athletes.

Degree of injury

A bruise can be of varying degrees of severity, and accordingly, treatment will be different in each specific case.

With a slight bruise, minor damage to the skin is noted. These may be abrasions or scratches. In this case, the muscles and bones of the leg are not affected. This degree of injury does not require special treatment and goes away in 3-4 days.
The resulting hematoma and swelling of the tissue indicates the second degree and treatment of a leg bruise is required. Bruises appear due to rupture of blood vessels, and swelling due to damage to the structure of muscle tissue.
In the third degree, the muscles and tendons of the bruised leg are damaged. If you do not go to the emergency room with such an injury, it will lead to serious complications. The greatest danger is a third-degree knee injury.
The most dangerous leg bruises are of the fourth degree. Due to severe bruising, the injured limb loses its functionality, which can lead to disability.

As you can see, all degrees except the first are an indication for examination by a traumatologist and initiation of treatment.

Signs and symptoms

Signs of injury:

after a sharp short-term painful sensation, the pain gradually subsides and becomes aching;
after a few minutes, soft tissue swelling may appear;
possible bruising is evidence of internal hemorrhage of small vessels.

A symptom accompanying the bruise is involuntary contraction of the muscles and tendons, a violation of their elasticity, which leads to additional pain when trying to step on the injured leg.

With a severe bruise of the heel, heaviness, stiffness, numbness of varying degrees of localization, pain, and swelling are felt. A bone bruise is a closed mechanical injury without violating the integrity of bone tissue. As swelling and pain localize, the limitation of motor function increases.

Associated damage:

sprain or disruption of the integrity (rupture) of tendons and ligaments;
damage to the nail plates;
dislocation or fracture of the foot.

They may not be identified immediately, but will nevertheless require close attention and serious treatment.

With incorrect diagnosis and unskilled self-medication, additional connective or bone tissue and irritation of nerve fibers are sometimes formed.

When a finger is injured, damage to the subungual tissue is not immediately detected. Dystrophic bone pathology becomes a serious complication. Then the treatment lasts for 2-4 weeks or more.

Sometimes you have to conduct an inspection in the field and take emergency measures using home remedies.

The symptoms of this phenomenon are obvious; you don’t need to be a doctor to understand what happened.

Initially, a strong and sharp pain is felt, the intensity of which gradually weakens or, on the contrary, increases. Over time, the pain becomes aching.
It is painful to move the injured leg. Or in some specific area of the limb, movement becomes painful or completely paralyzed, which happens with severe bruises.
The bruised area of the leg gradually swells and swelling begins.
In the case of subcutaneous hemorrhage, hematomas appear.

It is painful to lean on or step on the sore leg. At such moments the temperature may rise. The person becomes nervous and irritable.

Signs and symptoms

In case of bruises, the skin is not damaged, the main

damage to soft tissues

With a severe bruise, not only soft injuries can be damaged, but also internal organs (for example, a brain contusion can be diagnosed).

Features of treatment with folk remedies

It is also recommended to apply mugs of cut potatoes (naturally, first wash the potatoes, peel them, cut them into slices about 0.5 cm thick and apply these slices to the bruise site for 10-15 minutes).

Another way is to apply fresh cabbage leaves to the bruised area of the leg.

It is also possible to use ointments that accelerate the resorption of the hematoma and relieve swelling.

Folk remedies

A person facing this problem should know how to treat leg bruises at home. There's really nothing complicated about it. Here are some tips on how to heal your foot if your foot or other part is bruised.

Traditional medicine has repeatedly proven its effectiveness in treating diseases and injuries. Home methods and techniques have been proven by many years, if not centuries of experience, and are available. You can prepare the drugs yourself.

So, if you are convinced that there are no fractures, ruptures, or open deep wounds, try to perform a number of simple manipulations:

Acute pain and swelling are relieved in 1-3 days, but residual effects require a certain rehabilitation period.

Thus, a foot bruise, aggravated by sprains, swelling, and sharp pain, is an injury that is quite common at any time of the year. She lies in wait on the sports ground, bad roads, ice, outdoor games, falls.

In most cases, it can be dealt with at home, as long as we rule out fractures and ligament tears. Then surgery will be required. In all other cases, you can do without hospitalization. Success is in our hands.

These materials will be of interest to you:

How to treat a bruised leg at home and without the use of medications? This is a question many people who have suffered this injury ask themselves. Folk remedies are an excellent help, but before that you need to discuss the treatment of bruises with a traumatologist.

First aid

To normalize a person’s condition and prevent complications, you need to know what to do if you bruise your leg. Timely first aid for bruises is the key to a quick recovery and a short recovery period.

Despite their apparent simplicity and primitiveness, you should not neglect first aid methods for a bruised leg.

Do not neglect a cold compress in the first minutes after a bruise - it will help prevent the appearance of a large hematoma and relieve pain and swelling.

A pressure bandage on the knee joint will help prevent major swelling.

Keeping your bruised leg elevated is another effective method to minimize the effects of the bruise.

It is important in the first hours after an injury to understand which parts of the body were affected (bones, joints, organs). A pressure bandage is applied to the affected area. The injured leg needs to be rested. Abrasions and scratches are treated with a disinfectant. You can't steam your leg.

In the first hours, the bruise is treated with cold. It helps to constrict blood vessels and stop bleeding.

After 24 hours, warm baths, compresses and lotions are used. They reduce swelling and resolve hematoma.

At this stage of therapy, Nanoplast forte is used, an anti-inflammatory patch. The course of treatment at home is 3-9 days.

You cannot rub the bruise yourself. Otherwise, thrombophlebitis may develop.

If the swelling does not disappear for a long time, you should consult a traumatologist. For moderate and severe injuries, physiotherapy is prescribed and a UHF device is used.

If the leg is swollen, electrophoresis with a medicinal solution is indicated.

In everyday life, sometimes there is such an annoying misfortune - injuries. Bruises, as always, happen inopportunely, ruin our plans, spoil our nerves. But is everything so scary? Let's try to figure it out. We'll give you advice on how to best cope with a bruise and help your body heal itself.

Types of leg bruises

The most common leg injury is a bruise. Usually some part of the leg is injured: Thigh, Shin, Knee, Toe.

A bruise is a closed tissue injury (connective, muscular, nervous, vascular) without bone fracture.

photo of leg bruise

As a result of injury you can get:

Contusion of soft tissue only;
Bone bruise;
Bruised joint.

When a bruise occurs, the integrity of the skin is not compromised, but the underlying tissue may be significantly damaged. There is a rupture of blood vessels, fatty tissue, and connective fibers. This is accompanied by inflammation of a traumatic nature: pain, swelling, redness.

Stages of the post-traumatic process

It begins with a local reaction of the body to a bruise - vasospasm, which is quickly replaced by dilation. Liquid from the bloodstream begins to seep into the interstitial space and saturate the tissue. A bruised leg will cause swelling, which will increase. Therefore, cold is appropriate at this point to re-constrict the blood vessels and stop the soaking of the tissue around the vessel.
If small and medium-sized vessels rupture, blood escapes into the surrounding tissues and turns them blue. Soaking of nearby structures and formation of a bruise is a characteristic sign of a bruise. Blood will ooze from small vessels for 5–10 minutes, from large vessels for about a day. At first (for three days) the site of the bruise with the presence of blood will be bluish-purple, then yellow spots will appear and after a week the skin will clear.
If the blood only permeates the surrounding tissues, we see a bruise; if it accumulates in them, a hematoma is formed. It is dangerous due to the progression of tissue separation. This is rare because the muscles surrounding the bone are designed to withstand significant pressure and act as a shock absorber to protect the bone and periosteum.
If the anterior surface of the leg is damaged, where the bone is not covered by muscle and lies immediately under the skin, severe pain is observed and a hematoma quickly forms. Large hematomas require aspiration. For this purpose, a puncture is used; if the blood is not extracted with a needle, then an autopsy under local anesthesia is indicated. Afterwards a pressure bandage is applied.
Blood can also flow into the joint capsules, forming hemarthrosis. A severe injury to the leg can cause crushing or tissue necrosis.

Thigh bruises. There is a lot of loose subcutaneous fat here, so extensive hematomas can form. If the injury is strong and oblique, then the skin and fiber are torn away from the fascia and cavities are formed. A large amount of blood flows there. In this case, the function of the limb suffers little. There is no pain at rest, it only appears when walking.

Bruises of the anterior surface of the leg very painful, especially in the periosteum area, up to loss of consciousness. It contains a large number of pain receptors. If the pain has become a constant pulsating character, this is a sure sign of a hematoma under the periosteum.

A bruise of the lower leg can be confused with a fracture due to severe pain, especially on palpation. It can be excluded by the absence of pain during axial loading (in a standing position). An x-ray is required.

Bruised toe. There is an opinion that this type of injury is not dangerous, and the person, despite the pain, continues with his business. Bruised toes usually occur while moving, sometimes at considerable speed, so the toes receive a strong blow.

Small, fragile bones and tendons cannot withstand and become damaged - this threatens complications when walking in the future. Therefore, you should not neglect a medical examination to rule out a fracture. And only then carry out the necessary course of treatment.

A bruised thumb is especially unpleasant because it will take much longer to fully recover, which can take up to 6 weeks. The main condition is peace and time. So as not to say later: “I stubbed my toe, and problems began, now I need orthopedic shoes.”

Symptoms accompanying a bruised leg

The following symptoms are typical for a bruise:

pain;
swelling (edema);
compaction;
inflammation with redness;
restriction of movements.

The first symptom of a bruise is pain. Then swelling appears. The pain usually worsens when walking. Several days of rest and limitation of physical activity, involving the injured area, lead to a weakening of symptoms and the person recovers. This is if we are dealing with a slight bruise of the leg.

Things are more complicated when there is damage to blood vessels. In this case, a severe bruise of the leg is accompanied by a hematoma. Its dimensions depend on the force of the impact. In this case, the period of compliance with the rest regime and careful treatment of the limb increases. Swelling and pain persist for up to a month.

First aid for bruises at home

Since ordinary bruises can be treated on their own, you need to adhere to the following recommendations:

Ensure complete rest;
Raise the limb;
The first two hours are cold;
A day later, heat compresses, ointments, gels;
Painkillers (in case of severe pain);
Consult a doctor if you cannot move;
Movement is possible only with the help of a cane and fixation with an elastic bandage (to reduce the load).

Physiotherapy can help relieve a bruised leg. You should take advantage of this at the first opportunity. UHF and electrophoresis have not lost their importance. If pharmacies have medicinal mud, then a week-long course will be very useful.

Thermal procedures, absorbable and anti-inflammatory drugs cope well with this. Hot water bottles and paraffin are suitable as heat. We remove inflammation and swelling with ointments, gels, and alcohol compresses.

They are applied four times a day, generously covering the injured area. It is also important to follow a simple principle: the greater the swelling, the thicker the layer of ointment.

The ointments used should have a different mechanism of action: anti-inflammatory, decongestant (heparin-containing) and absorbable (Traumeel, Target T). You can combine ointments: Ketorol gel, Dolobene.

We do not use ointment if the skin is damaged. Severe tissue swelling makes it difficult for the drug to penetrate deeper. To enhance the effect, increase the amount of the drug applied to the skin and the frequency of lubrication.

Approximate treatment regimen: “Fastum” gel, “diclofenac” ointment or “ketorol” gel is applied to intact skin, you can wrap it with cling film and secure it, this will increase the depth of penetration and the strength of the effect.

After 4 hours, remove the bandage, wipe the area and apply another ointment “Lioton”, “Troxevasin” - to relieve swelling. We alternate this way throughout the day. At least 4 times a day.

If the hematoma is large, then the body fences itself off from it. Creates a dense film (a bag is formed). Then you cannot do without the help of a doctor. The hematoma is opened and the contents are removed.

Possible consequences and prognosis

For bruises with or without bruising, the prognosis is favorable. Time, rest, and simple therapeutic actions will quickly remove the consequences. The body can do this. He alone can handle it. Our task is to wisely help him with this.

The situation is more complicated when hematomas occur. The larger it is, the longer the resorption period. It compresses the nerve trunks and blood vessels, and suppuration occurs due to infection. In this case, time does not bring relief, the pain and swelling do not go away, and fever develops. Need help from a surgeon.

With very severe bruises, tissue necrosis (death) may occur and emergency assistance will be required.

Another unpleasant complication is periostitis (inflammation of the periosteum). That is why a bruise of the lower leg in the periosteum area is not only painful, but also dangerous.

Contusions to a leg joint should cause caution. Its complex structure predisposes to various complications: hemarthrosis, ligament rupture, damage to the joint capsule.

How to distinguish a severe leg bruise from a fracture?

A severe bruise can be confused with a fracture. You can often hear that you have hurt your leg and it is swollen. What is this, isn’t it a fracture? You can try to determine the signs of a fracture yourself.

It is characterized by:

The presence of vegetative symptoms: darkening of the eyes, dizziness, tachycardia. This indicates that the whole body is involved in the process with the release of stress hormones.
Displacement of bones along the axis. The leg may be bent at an unnatural angle. This is especially noticeable in the first minutes of injury. Then swelling occurs and it is difficult to see any displacement.
The pain and swelling are increasing all the time.
You can't move your leg. It is impossible to step on it, let alone move.

If a person is bruised, they can move their leg, although it is painful. This sign indicates the integrity of the bone.

Why is a bruise dangerous?

An ordinary bruise is not dangerous to health, it only causes inconvenience. The concern is caused by severe bruises, in which it is easy to miss a ligament rupture or a broken toe. They are fraught with partial loss of function in the future. When the knee joint is bruised, arthrosis can quickly appear.

A massive hematoma and open wound threatens infection. In any case, if the pain from a bruise increases every day or remains at the same level, then a doctor’s examination and an x-ray are required.

I hurt my leg, what should I apply?

If you are sure that there is a bruise, then after cold, the leg can be lubricated with “Fastum” gel, “Ketoprofen”, “Nise” gel, “Diclak”, “Diclofenac” 5% ointment, “Olfen” gel. All of them have a strong analgesic and anti-inflammatory effect. The swelling after a leg injury will quickly subside if treated with Lyoton ointment.

It should be remembered that pain relief allows you to put weight on the sore leg, but this is not desirable. Therefore, after applying the ointment, the leg needs rest.

The most common injury is a foot bruise. This pathology is characterized by damage to the soft tissue around the bones, without serious disruption of their functions and structure. This kind of injury is quite easy to get: just get a weak blow, fall or drop something on your leg and you can get a bruise.

When a bruise occurs, as a rule, damage occurs to the superficial blood and lymphatic vessels passing through the foot. In addition, muscles, ligaments or tendons are susceptible to damage. Due to the fact that the human foot is one of the most functional structures in terms of movement, it is this part of the body that is most susceptible to injury. The most common causes of soft tissue damage include:

A blow to the foot with a hard object;
Impact on a hard surface;
Prolonged compression;
Fall and unsuccessful landing on the foot.

Children constitute a special risk group: leading an active lifestyle, young people most often encounter provoking factors. This type of injury is classified depending on where the impact occurred:

Bruised toes. This injury also occurs due to common causes;
Bruise of the tissues of the back and sole of the foot.

Symptoms

The signs of this injury are typical of others:

The appearance of pain in the damaged area. It occurs at the moment of injury and persists for a short time. When trying to move, the victim may complain that it hurts to step on him. If you try to palpate the bruised surface, the sensation of pain will intensify. The pain also intensifies against the background of pathological reflex muscle contraction;
Edema formation. This symptom appears a few minutes after a blow to the foot. The skin at the site of injury becomes blue. In addition, edema has a destructive effect: increasing in its volume, the swelling compresses neighboring areas, causing a destructive effect;
Foot bruises are accompanied by a violation of the structure of blood vessels: a bruise forms. The volume of the hematoma depends on the degree of vascular damage;
The bruised area quickly heats up. This is due to the strong flow of blood to the site from the blow;
Limitations in motor function;
By damaging the passing nerve fibers, the victim may experience numbness in part or the entire foot.

How to distinguish a fracture from a foot bruise

With a fracture and bruise of the foot, there are both common and distinctive signs. Common manifestations include:

The appearance of pain at the time of injury;
Formation of edema at the site of injury;
Presence of hemorrhages.

Distinctive features of these injuries:

When a fracture occurs, external deformation of the bone is observed: it may be in an unnatural position for it. When bruised, the bones remain in place;
When a fracture occurs, there is a crunching sound immediately when the integrity of the bone is broken. The bruise is not accompanied by sounds;
The fracture is followed by bony crepitus. This is especially audible when palpating the affected tissues;
It is especially easy to distinguish if the fracture is open. In this case, there is a gross violation of the skin, with visible bone fragments and severe bleeding. A bruise is a closed injury to soft tissue.

It is important to remember that a closed incomplete bone fracture can resemble a sprain. With scanty symptoms, it is difficult to find out whether it is a fracture or a bruise.

First aid

Timely implementation of a number of measures in case of a foot injury helps to alleviate the current clinical picture and will subsequently provide short-term rehabilitation. First aid actions include:

Call an ambulance;
Give the victim peace. The injured limb should be placed in a position in which the person will feel the least pain;
Ice wrapped in cloth should be applied to the damaged area. If the injury occurs at home and there is no ice, apply a bottle of cold water, a piece of frozen meat or frozen vegetables to your leg. The action of cold temperature relieves pain and stops the development of edema;
If a child hurts his foot, and children have a lower threshold for pain sensitivity, he should be given a painkiller tablet;
The foot must be fixed. An elastic bandage is suitable for this. You need to remember not to tighten the fabric too tightly. Such fixation will reduce the degree of development of edema;
In order to prevent inflammatory fluid from accumulating at the site of the bruise, it is necessary to give the leg an elevated position above the heart.

Despite the distinct differences between a bruise and a fracture, it is important to diagnose the affected foot. A closed fracture may be hidden under the shadow of a severe bruise. In a hospital setting, the doctor will order an examination, conduct differential diagnostics, make a diagnosis and prescribe specific therapy.

Swollen foot: what to do

If the foot is actively swelling, this is normal and should not be alarmed. The development of edema accompanies any injury. However, this phenomenon can cause discomfort and partially disrupt the structure of neighboring tissues. For the first few hours to remove the tumor, the following actions should be taken:

Apply ice for 10-15 minutes;
Wrap a tight bandage around your foot.

In the future, foot swelling can be removed using ointments and compresses. The next day, you can use warming compresses and products such as Fastum-gel or Finalgon. They also relieve pain.

Treatment at home

The following folk remedies are effective:

Mixing aloe and river sand. Proportions: 100 and 200 grams, respectively. The substance is infused for 24 hours. It is necessary to smear 2-3 times a day;
Vinegar. Two tablespoons of liquid are mixed with one liter of water. Moisten a cloth in the resulting solution and apply it to the bruise;
Warming and warming compresses made of water, vodka and salt;
At home, it is recommended to massage gently.

How long does it take to heal?

The duration of complete healing of the injury depends on the location of the injury, the type of injury and the extent of the soft tissue damage. On average, a bruise heals in 2 weeks. With proper treatment - within a week.

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Thank You for rating this article. Published: August 19, 2017