Thigh contusion (in ICD 10 is listed under the code S70.0) - an injury after which a bruise forms on the skin. It can appear as a result of a fall, a blow with a heavy object or a leg. The essence of the bruise is that small blood vessels are torn, but the skin remains intact. When this happens, blood flows into nearby tissue. This causes the rapid development of pathology, which can lead to serious consequences. About what circumstances contribute to bruising and what to do in such situations - read on.
How to recognize?
In most cases, a bruise is left on the injured hip. This causes blood to flow into the surrounding soft tissues and muscles, resulting in a hematoma under the skin.
Bruise of the femoral neck accompanied by a bruise, red in color when fresh. After a few hours, the hematoma turns blue or purple. After a couple of days, the bruise usually turns yellow or green. This happens as the bruise heals.
Description
Hip contusion caused by a direct blow or a bad fall on the iliac crest and/or femur causes bruising. May also be affectedsurrounding tissue structures. Contact sports are a common cause of this type of injury, most often in football and hockey due to improper use of equipment, violation of playing technique. Direct force impact can lead to a fracture. Pain is caused by pinching of the sphenoid nerve, which runs along the iliac crest. Significant discomfort may be felt when walking, laughing, coughing, or even taking deep breaths.
Danger
Severe bruising of the hip in the elderly and young usually results in subcutaneous bleeding. It pours into the muscle tissue, creates swelling and makes the movement of the legs painful. A hematoma that occurs in this area can potentially be based in the area of the femoral nerve or the lateral surface of the thigh. This injury usually takes one to six weeks to heal, depending on the extent of the injury. In most cases, patients fully recover within the specified period. It is necessary to conduct a medical diagnosis to exclude the possibility of damage to the abdominal organs.
Read on to learn how to treat a bruised hip, when to visit a traumatologist and how to provide first aid.
Signs and symptoms
The most obvious symptom of a bruised hip is a subcutaneous hematoma. Other symptoms may develop within 48 hours of a hip injury. The affected limb will be quite painful. Difficulties may arise in moving, for example, whenwalking. The pain becomes much worse if any pressure is applied to the bruise.
One of the following signs may be noted that indicate the presence of pathology:
- Pain that increases when you touch the bruise or move.
- Swelling or induration at or near the site of a hematoma.
- Red, blue or black skin that may change to green or yellow after a few days.
- Limited movement of the bruised hip.
If any sign appears, consult a traumatologist.
Possible causes
The most common cause of hip injury is a fall. But keep in mind that this is not the only option - any damage can lead to a bruise. Other causes of a bruised hip:
- strike;
- getting into the thigh area of a large and heavy object;
- fracture.
Diagnosis
A thorough examination will help the doctor diagnose the bruise. An MRI scan is often used to determine the depth of the lesion.
Because bruises usually heal without treatment within a few days, if there is no particular discomfort, it is acceptable not to see a doctor.
But if the pain is severe or it is very difficult to move, you need to visit a doctor who will conduct an examination. He'll check for a broken hip. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will use an x-ray.
Call an ambulance,if:
- There is intense pain making movement impossible.
- You can't put weight on your hip.
- Feel numb in your legs.
These symptoms indicate a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. Any attempt to move under these circumstances could worsen the condition.
Hip injury treatment
Initially, you can be treated without medication. Therapy includes physical rest, ice application, and immobilization of the limb. Ice can be put on for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours for the first three days after the injury. The hip joint requires sufficient recovery time to normalize damaged structures. If walking is difficult, crutches may be used to provide mobilization. The return to the usual way of life will be determined by the intensity of pain, the degree of mobility of the hips. The process may take 1-3 weeks.
While you wait for your bruise to heal, you can ask your physical therapist to show you some simple exercises to improve hip movement and prevent stiffness. Active exercise may be helpful if the pain is not severe and there are no medical restrictions.
How to return to sports after a hip injury?
Once the pain is gone, you can return to physical activity or sports. But it is also important that they are not very intense, otherwise prolonged pain may appear. This can disrupthabitual way of life.
If you have any concerns about a hip injury, please consult a physical therapist or doctor.
A bruised hip usually heals on its own in a relatively short period of time and often does not require any medical intervention.
However, there are home remedies you can use to speed up the healing process.
- Restrict your movements. This will allow the bruise to fade faster and help with the pain.
- Ice. Apply it to the affected area for the period specified above. Use an ice pack or just put the cubes in a plastic bag. Cover your foot with a towel to protect your skin. Ice reduces pain and swelling and prevents tissue damage.
- Compress. Use an elastic bandage to compress the affected area and reduce swelling. Your doctor can give advice on how to use an elastic bandage and how tight it should be.
- Raise your hip above waist level as often as possible. This helps reduce swelling and pain. You can use blankets or pillows to make this more comfortable.
You can also take painkillers to make you feel better, such as Acetaminophen. If there is swelling or induration, anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms.
How long will it take to recover?
The length of time it takes to recover depends on the severityinjury and depth of injury. The process can take two to four weeks. During this time, you can fully recover and return to normal vigorous activity.
Do not massage, heat or stretch injured muscles until healing time. This may interfere with healing. Avoid or limit alcohol during recovery. After all, alcohol can also slow down the healing of a bruise.
You can be treated with the help of folk and medications. See your doctor if pain does not improve after home treatment, or if you have any questions about symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of a bruised thigh muscle include instant pain, bruising and swelling, severe weakness, spasms, and a rapid decrease in hip/leg function, resulting in reduced activity.
How to behave?
Rest is the first thing to do with an injury like this. You also need to immediately apply something cold or ice. This will prevent the occurrence of an extensive hematoma. During the first 7-10 days, patients can take the anti-inflammatory drugs mentioned above and use cold therapy. Because this injury is very painful, recovery is usually slow. When a person does not feel pain, special massage and exercise can reduce tension and prevent scar tissue from forming. In addition, injections of corticosteroids into the affected area can quickly reduce the symptoms of a bruise and speed up recovery. Surgical treatment in such cases is rarely prescribed andonly for patients with significant displacement or fracture of the bone.
Reviews of people who have received such an injury say that with the right actions, it is possible to get rid of the problem quite quickly. At the first suspicion of a bruise, you should consult a doctor. He will examine and determine the degree of its severity. After all, a hip bruise is a fairly serious injury that requires close attention.
If you are badly hurt, then you should limit the load, reduce the number of sports. Be sure to use special protective clothing designed for training in the gym and on the street.
