A bruised knee happens after an impact or extreme force on the knee. This can also result from a direct fall on the knee or something that hit the knee with a strong force such as a ball or a stick.
Always bear in mind that a bruised knee happens when small vessels found under the skin break where blood leak into the soft tissue and result to swelling, discoloration and discomfort. The severity and length of recovery will depend on the location of the bruise. Bone bruises take a longer time to heal. Knee bruises or subcutaneous bruise takes a short time to heal, but bruises that happens around the knees which is known as intramuscular bruises causes severe pain and more painful than knee bruises.
Causes
- Strong impact injury
- Damage to the soft tissue such as spraining a leg ligament or strain on the surrounding muscles or the hamstrings
- Damage or injury to the capillaries or small blood vessels within the tissue which results to bruising. It causes a black or blue discoloration below the skin within 24 hours after the injury. The discoloration gradually becomes lighter in color into yellow or green once blood starts to disperse.
Symptoms
- Pain can be felt immediately after the injury
- Bruising of the area happens the next day.
- The affected area is tender to the touch.
- Swelling of the affected area
- The color of the bruise changes and begins to fade or shrink after a few days.
Treatment
Mild to moderate bruise
- Rest the affected area and avoid performing physical activities. Avoid any activities until the affected knee is no longer swollen. Some discoloration still remains while the area is healing.
- Apply a cold compress on the affected knee to lessen the swelling and promote fast healing. Apply an ice pack for at least 10-15 minutes every 3-4 hours. Avoid applying directly on the skin to prevent frostbite.
- When lying, elevate the knee on pillows above the level of the heart to lessen the swelling and discoloration by minimizing the accumulation of blood in the tissues around the knee.
- Take the prescribed pain medication such as acetaminophen in the first hours to lessen the pain.
- Wear a compression stocking on the knee to minimize the swelling and promote fast recovery of the condition. Avoid wrapping it too tightly to avoid disrupting the normal circulation of blood in the area.
- Use crutches or other mobility aids and be very careful when walking up and down the stairs to prevent making the condition worse.
Severe bruised knee
- A severe bruised knee is usually treated in the same manner as a minor bruise as long as there are no complications. The healing usually takes a longer period.
- Sometimes, when there is loss of movement, perform stretching and mobility exercises for the quadriceps, hamstrings, groin and calf.
- If weight bearing is difficult, use crutches or a stick to help in supporting the affected knee.
- Massage the affected area to make the muscles ready in performing physical activities as well as flush out any remaining blood clots.
- Avoid applying hot packs or taking hot baths while the area is still bleeding to prevent the condition from worsening.
FACT CHECK
https://www.healthline.com/health/bone-bruise
https://www.summitmedicalgroup.com/library/adult_health/sma_patellar_contusion/
https://www.epainassist.com/sports-injuries/knee-injuries/knee-contusion-bruised-knee