Location: 970 Burrard Street, Vancouver, B.C. Phone: 604-685-4325

Contusions, by Kelly Johnson, RMT

 

What is a contusion?


A contusion is bruising from a direct blow to a part of the body without breaking the surface of the skin. It is a crush injury to the muscle fibres, in which blood vessels break and there is bleeding and swelling present. The colour of the bruising will be red, black and blue and there will be swelling present.

What causes a contusion?


A contusion is caused by a direct blow to the muscle. This can occur during contact sports, a motor vehicle accident, or a fall.

How serious is your contusion?


In a MODERATE contusion, there is crushing of several or many fibres of the muscle, along with bleeding and swelling. You may experience pain and muscle weakness upon activity.
In a SEVERE contusion, there is crushing of many of the muscle fibres and rapid bleeding will occur under the surface of the skin along with swelling. You will not be able to continue the activity due to a significant amount of pain and muscle weakness.

How do I know if my contusion is acute?

 

ACUTE MODERATE CONTUSION
 - Local swelling, heat and bruising
- Moderate tenderness
- 20-50% loss of range of movement
- Moderate loss of strength
- Pain with activity
- Disability the day after activity

ACUTE SEVERE CONTUSION
 - Rapid local swelling, heat and bruising
- Severe pain and tenderness
- More than 50% loss of range of movement
- Significant loss of strength
- Possible deformity that you can see and/or feel
- Pain prevents you from continuing activity

How do I know if my contusion is chronic?

 

  • The bruising is gone but swelling may remain - Skin is not mobile around the contusion site.
  • Tightness of the muscles and tissues at the contusion site. (Other muscles and tissues may be restricted due to the contusion, especially if you're using crutches.)
  • Tissue may be cold due to lack of blood flow to the area.
  • In moderate and severe cases, stretching the area of an injured muscle may cause discomfort. Full range of movement and also strength of the affected muscle may be reduced.
  • There may be an increase or decrease in the sensitivity of the area because of nerve damage.

 

What should I do immediately after a moderate or severe contusion?


Protect - from further injury
Rest - the injury site or limb
Ice - in acute stage
Compress(moderate only) -just below injury
Elevate - the injured limb
Doctor - seek medical advice

If I have a recent moderate or severe contusion, what should I avoid?


- Stretching
- Exercise
- No direct heat to the contusion
- Alcohol consumption
- Vigorous massage to the contusion

After I've been assessed and treated by my Massage Therapist at Everest Therapeutics, what self-care should I do?
                 
- Self-massage as directed by your Massage Therapist at Everest Therapeutics
- Hydrotherapy that is appropriate for your stage of healing will be recommended:

Acute Stage:

  • Apply ice or cold cloth to the injured area at frequent intervals for approximately 15 minutes each.

 

Late Subacute Stage:

  • Contrast water treatments are applied; 30 seconds cool (18C)/3 minutes warm (38C) 1-2 times a day.
As soon as possible, begin to increase your range of movement.  Be sure to stop movement before any pain begins.  Follow-up with your Massage Therapist to seek further recommendations.
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