Bruising on the knee

Bruising on the knee occurs when blood vessels beneath the skin are damaged. As a result, blood leaks into the surrounding tissue and appears below the skin as bruising. There are several common causes of bruising on the knee.

Direct Trauma or knee contusion is the most common cause of bruising on the knee. For example, a direct blow or impact to the knee, such as a fall, collision, or striking the knee against an object. This leads to bleeding as a result of small blood vessel damage and the characteristic discoloration of a bruise.

Bruising also sometimes develops following a more severe knee joint injury. As the knee joint swells up, bleeding also occurs. As a result the swelling changes colour.

Other causes include medical conditions or medications. These may cause increased bruising or make the skin more prone to bruising. For example, bleeding disorders or the use of blood-thinning medications alter the likelihood and severity of bruising.

As people age, their skin becomes thinner. Therefore, the subcutaneous blood vessels are more susceptible to damage. This makes older individuals more prone to developing bruises from minor trauma. Likewise, people with varicose veins may experience increased susceptibility to bruising in the lower extremities, including the knees.

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