Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsContusion vs. Bone BruiseCausesSymptomsTreatmentRecoveryWhen to Seek Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Contusion vs. Bone Bruise
Causes
Symptoms
Treatment
Recovery
When to Seek Medical Care
A knee contusion is a bruise on your knee. “Contusion” is the medical term for a bruise. Bruise injuries typically happen due to trauma (such as falling or being hit) and result in swelling, skin discoloration, pain, soreness, and stiffness. Knee contusions typically heal on their own and don’t require surgery.
In this article, learn more about knee contusions.
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Knee Contusion vs. Bruise on the Bone
A knee contusion refers to any bruise on the knee. A bruise is defined as a soft tissue injury involving pain, swelling, and skin discoloration resulting from a blunt force.
The three types of bruising are:
A bone bruise is the most severe type of knee contusion, but not all knee contusions are bone bruises. A bone bruise is less severe than abone fracture(broken bone).
What Causes a Knee Contusion?
Possible causes of a knee contusion are:
Knee Pain Location Chart and Possible Causes
Symptoms of a Knee Contusion
A knee contusion, especially a bone bruise, can be very painful. Most people don’t think about how often they use their knees until they are injured. Simple movements like walking or bending the knee can draw attention to the bruise.
The symptoms of a knee contusion are similar to that of any bruise. They include:
Because of the bruising around the knee specifically, you may experience additional symptoms such as difficulty walking, sitting, standing up, driving, climbing stairs, putting on pants, or any other movement involving flexion or extension of theknee joint.
Treatment Options for Knee Contusions
Knee contusions usually aren’t serious. They typically don’t require surgery or a brace but may involve restricting your activities until they heal.
RICE
The protocol for a knee contusion starts with using theRICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) methodfor initial treatment.
Do this immediately after the initial trauma to help reduce inflammation and swelling. Be careful not to apply ice directly to the skin and keep your knee elevated above the heart to prevent extra blood from collecting in the injured area.
It doesn’t happen very often, but in the case of swelling or a large lump that won’t heal, healthcare providers sometimes use a needle to drain the fluid and help speed up the healing process.
Rest and OTC Pain Relief
Take it easy and avoid running or sports that cause excess pressure on your knee. Applying too much pressure too soon could result in scar tissue formation.
You may also want to take Tylenol (acetaminophen), an over-the-counter pain reliever that can help reduce pain.
In the case of a bone bruise, your healthcare provider may also advise upping your dietary intake of vitamin D, calcium, and protein, nutrients that support bone health.
Braces and Assistive Devices
It’s not usually recommended or needed, but some people may wear a knee brace or use anassistive device(such as a sock aide, shower chair, cane, or grabber) while recovering. These can help you feel secure and able to do what you need to do without bending your knee or putting too much pressure on it.
Be careful not to completely immobilize your knee, though. Gentle movement can be helpful with tissue healing, and deconditioning due to lack of movement can create its own problems.
Physical Therapy
In the unusual case of a very bad knee contusion you may be referred to aphysical therapistfor reconditioning. The physical therapist will evaluate your unique injury and personal factors, and prescribe a series of rehabilitation exercises to help your recovery.
Symptoms and Treatment of Different Types of Kneecap Injuries
How Long Does Recovery Take?
The recovery period for a knee contusion depends on the severity of your injury.
Assuming you don’t have any underlying muscle or bone injury, your bruise should heal within two to four weeks.More severe contusions can take months to heal and involve a gradual return to your regular sports and activities.
It’s important to listen to your healthcare provider when it comes to recovering from a knee contusion. They should be able to advise you on your personal expected recovery timeline and recommend a rehabilitation program (or a referral to a physical therapist for one).
When to Contact a Healthcare Provider
If you have a knee contusion—especially a more severe one with very discolored skin, pain, or a lump—it’s recommended that you go to a healthcare provider for an evaluation.
Sometimes, a knee contusion is just one symptom of a bigger problem like a bone fracture, dislocation, torn muscle or connective tissue (such as the ligament tears common in knee injuries), or sprain.Significant swelling within three to four hours of the initial trauma can be a sign of ananterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tear.Some of those injuries can worsen if untreated, leading to potential disability.
In the case of a knee contusion, it’s best to rule out other injuries so you can have peace of mind and be sure you’re receiving appropriate treatment.
Summary
A knee contusion is just a technical term for a knee bruise. Bruising on your knee can come in all shapes and sizes and ranges from a simple injury that heals in a week to a sign of a more significant injury like an ACL tear. Because the knee joint is complex and used in many daily activities, you may benefit from seeing a healthcare provider to rule out any other possible injury.
7 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Standford Medicine.Contusion.Medline Plus.Bruise.UCLA Health.Bone bruise occurs due to force on structure of bone.University of Florida Health.Bruise.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle contusion (bruise).My Health Alberta.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.Yale Medicine.How to tell if a knee injury is serious.
7 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Standford Medicine.Contusion.Medline Plus.Bruise.UCLA Health.Bone bruise occurs due to force on structure of bone.University of Florida Health.Bruise.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle contusion (bruise).My Health Alberta.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.Yale Medicine.How to tell if a knee injury is serious.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Standford Medicine.Contusion.Medline Plus.Bruise.UCLA Health.Bone bruise occurs due to force on structure of bone.University of Florida Health.Bruise.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle contusion (bruise).My Health Alberta.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.Yale Medicine.How to tell if a knee injury is serious.
Standford Medicine.Contusion.
Medline Plus.Bruise.
UCLA Health.Bone bruise occurs due to force on structure of bone.
University of Florida Health.Bruise.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Muscle contusion (bruise).
My Health Alberta.Bruises and blood spots under the skin.
Yale Medicine.How to tell if a knee injury is serious.
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