Knee Contusion (Bruised Knee)
A bruised knee usually occurs due to an impact on the knee. This can be due to a fall directly onto the knee or something hitting the knee, such as a ball or club. Contusion is the medical term for a bruise.
Symptoms of a Bruised Knee
- Instant pain.
- Bruising develops over the next day.
- The area is tender to touch.
- There may be some swelling.
- Bruise changes colour and starts to fade and shrink after a few days.
Whilst most contusions are not serious, a very hard impact may result in intense pain and difficulty moving the leg. If this is the case, then medical attention should be sought as soon as possible to rule out other injuries such as a fractured patella.
Knee Contusion Explained
Whilst bruising at the knee usually occurs following an impact injury, it may also occur following any kind of sift tissue damage, such as a sprain of a knee ligament or a strain to a surrounding muscle, usually the hamstrings.
Bruising occurs due to damage to some of the smaller blood vessels within the injured tissue. The blood leaks into the surrounding tissues, resulting in a black or blue appearance under the skin. Bruising usually develops within 24 hours of an injury. This will then slowly fade, appearing yellow or green as the blood dissipates.
Treatment of Knee Contusions
Mild to moderate knee contusions
- Rest the limb - do not try to carry on.
- Apply the Rice principle - Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation.
- Keep an eye on the bruising to ensure pain and colouring decreases.
Severe knee contusions
- Seek medical attention.
- A Doctor will assess the injury for severity and any associated injuries.
- Apply the RICE principle as above.
- The use of anti-inflammatory medications such as ibuprofen may be recommended by your Doctor.
- Crutches may be issued if weight bearing is difficult.
Generally, provided there are no other complications, a severe contusion is treated the same as a minor one, but the timescale for healing is much longer.
Stretching and mobility exercises for the quads, hamstrings, groin and calf may be recommended if some movement is lost. Sports massage may be beneficial in the later stages, to prepare the muscles for sport and flush out any residual blood clots and other waste products.
It is important following a bruise to any muscle part, that hot packs, hot baths and massage techniques are not used whilst there may still be new bleeding. This could lead to the development of Myositis Ossificans.
