Hip/Thigh injury

[Seventies Man]

My son received an impact to his upper/outer thigh just below the hip. He only noticed discomfort after about 20 mins when he went to twist his leg about. He could walk perfectly okay. He did not treat the injury immediately as he thought it was minor and might go way. He now feels a twing/pull when he copies movement like kicking or passing etc. There is no noticeable swelling or bruising.
The day following the injury he applied ice and took an inflammatory as a precaution, also had a hot bath and kept it elevated. He cannot treat it today as he is in school.
Does this sound like a grade 1 thigh strain? Should he continue as he is doing and should he do some stretching exercises?
I should point out that he did injure his thigh previously. However it is well healed and the leg has been thoroughly strengthened. Also the present injury in on a different part of his leg.

Thanks

[Heidi]

Hi

If the injury occurred after an impact, it is more likely a contusion - where the muscle is compacted against the bone. You can find out more here:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/frontthigh/deadleg.htm

He should rest it and apply ice (not heat or hot baths for a week). In a few days start to stretch it and maybe look into getting some sports massage.

[Seventies Man]

I treated the injury by getting him to ice and then apply heat along with some light stretches. I thought applying heat would aid healing. After a few days he felt fine and actually played a full game on Sunday. However during the game he got a bang on the hip/thigh area again! He finished the game and said that he felt some mild discomfort. However today he says it feels very tight and pains when he tries stretching. Hope I didn't do more harm than good! Seems like I've been treating a contusion like a muscle pull. Am I right?

[Heidi]

Heat shouldn't be used when treating either a muscle strain or a contusion until you are sure that all internal bleeding/inflammation has ceased. The time frame for this varies depending on the severity of the injury. But generally 5-7 days post injury.
Treatment for both conditiopns is very similar. The important thing with contusions is to ensure that myositis ossificans does not occur:
http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/frontthigh/myositis.htm

[Seventies Man]

Thanks for the response!
Okay, 3 days since his match. I've stopped applying heat treatment and got him to keep applying ice and doing light stretching. So! at this stage he feels a lot better...no pain when walking, general movement, doing stretches except if I ask him to sit and try to straighten his leg against resistance (me holding his leg) he feels a slight bit of stiffness on the outside of his thigh. My gut feeling says that it's a minor injury but in view of previous experience I don't want to make a minor injury into a major injury!
On the other hand if he doesn't train he runs the risk of losing his place and may never get it back as the competition for his place is tough. He plays at a high level.
He has training tomorrow night. If he feels a bit better tomorrow should I let him train with caution and with compression applied? That way at least he is still in the picture for the game next Sunday.

[Heidi]

I think you should allow him to take part in reduced training. Warm-up exercises, non-contact and reduced speed drills. Make sure the coach is aware of the situation and doesn't push him too hard.