At Shoreline Orthopaedics, our orthopaedic surgeons use a truly collaborative approach so our patients have the benefit of multiple expert opinions, without having to go elsewhere to obtain them.
Shoreline Orthopaedics provides more comprehensive services, state-of-the-art options, technologies and techniques than anyone else in the area.
The following information is provided to help you understand what you can expect from us regarding policies and procedures, and also what is expected of you before and after treatment or procedures.
The following information is provided to help you gain a better understanding of anatomy, terminology, certain orthopaedic procedures, and more. If you have any questions, feel free to ask your physician.
Muscle contusions, or bruises, are second only to strains as a leading cause of sports injuries. Most contusions are minor and heal quickly, without requiring the athlete to be removed from the game. However, severe contusions can cause deep tissue damage, which may lead to complications and/or keep the athlete out of sports for months.
Contusions cause swelling and pain, and limit joint range of motion near the injury. The injured muscle may feel weak and stiff, and torn blood vessels may cause bluish discoloration. A lump that forms over the injury (hematoma) indicates that a pool of blood has collected within the damage tissue. In severe cases, swelling and bleeding beneath the skin may cause shock. Extensive tissue damage may also occur along with a fractured bone, dislocated joint, sprain, torn muscle, or other injuries. Contusions to the abdomen may damage internal organs.
When a part of the body is struck by enough force to crush underlying muscle fibers and connective tissue without breaking the skin, a contusion may occur. A fall, jamming the body against a hard surface, a direct blow, or repeated blows from a blunt object are among the many common causes of contusions.
A physical examination, and when needed, diagnostic imaging tools, such as ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or computed tomography (CT) scans, will allow your physician to determine the extent of your injury and check for related nerve damage.
Most athletes with contusions get better quickly without surgery. Your doctor may give you nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other medications for pain relief. Do not massage the injured area.
During the first 24 to 48 hours after injury (acute phase), keep the muscle in a gentle stretch position and use the RICE formula (rest, ice, compression and elevation) to help control pain, bleeding, swelling and inflammation. If there is a large hematoma that does not go away within several days, your doctor may consider draining it surgically to speed healing.
After a few days, inflammation should start to go down and the injury may feel a little better. At this time, the doctor may tell you to apply gentle heat to the injury and start the rehabilitation process. Remember to increase your activity level gradually. As the injury heals, exercising the uninjured parts of your body will help maintain your overall level of fitness. Depending upon the extent of your injuries, returning to your normal sports activity may take several weeks or longer. If you put too much stress on the injured area before it has sufficiently healed, excessive scar tissue may develop and cause more problems. In the first phase of rehabilitation, your doctor may prescribe gentle stretching exercises that begin to restore range of motion to the injured area. When your range of motion has improved, you may be given weight-bearing and strengthening exercises. Once you have normal, pain-free range of motion, you may be allowed to participate in noncontact sports.
When you have returned to full strength, motion and endurance, you may be allowed to resume contact sports. Your physician may want you to wear a customized protective device to prevent further injury to the afflicted area. Depending on your sport, you may also need special padding to spread out the force of impact from any direct blows to the body.
Prompt medical treatment and following your doctor's advice regarding rehabilitation can help you avoid serious medical complications, such as compartment syndrome and myositis ossificans, that occasionally result from deep muscle contusions.