Large contusions should be watched closely for swelling.
A contusion (bruise) is a discoloration of the skin caused when blood vessels bleed into skin tissues. Contusions to the knees are often caused by blunt trauma, such as falling onto the knees. Contusions cause a red, dark blue or purple discoloration of the injured area with pain, tenderness and sometimes swelling. The recovery time for contusions can vary between two to six weeks, depending upon how they are treated.
Instructions
Contusion Care
1. Rest the knee and your body by refraining from activities that can cause pain to the knee. Get recuperative sleep and eat a healthy diet, including milk, poultry, fish, meat, eggs and cheese. Being healthy and rested will help speed the healing process.
2. Wrap ice chips in a plastic bag or apply a cold pack to the contusion four times a day for the first 72 hours. Wrap a moist towel around the area. Leave the ice bag in place for 10 to 20 minutes at a time.
3. Apply heat to the contusion with a heating pad, after 72 hours, if it feels better than the ice pack. Hot soaks, hot showers, heating ointments or lineaments or hot whirlpool treatments can be used to provide comfort.
4. Compress the knee with an elasticized bandage wrapped over a felt pad. Keep the knee wrapped for 72 hours.
5. Elevate the knee to help reduce swelling. Massage the knee gently to provide additional comfort and to help in reducing swelling.
6. Use acetaminophen or ibuprofen for inflammation and discomfort.
7. Exercise the knee slowly, after the first 72 hours, as you feel you can, when daily supportive wrapping is no longer necessary.
When and Why Should I See a Doctor for a Contusion?
8. Visit a doctor if a contusion is causing severe pain and you find that acetaminophen doesn't help.
9. Visit a doctor if you have more than one contusion or a large contusion in conjunction with a very small injury, or with no injury at all.
10. Visit a doctor if you develop numbness or tingling sensations around or below the contusion.
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