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A bone bruise is a type of bone injury that causes blood to collect under the surface of your bone. Learn how to recognize the signs of a bone bruise, what causes it and how to treat it at home or with medical help.
- Overview
- What are the symptoms of a bone bruise?
- What are the risk factors for bone bruises?
- When should you see your doctor?
- How are bone bruises treated?
- What is the outlook?
- Tips for keeping your bones strong and healthy
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Bone bruises occur with an injury to the surface of the bone and can cause a bruise to appear on your skin. The pain tends to last longer than with typical bruises.
When you think of a bruise, you probably picture a black-and-blue mark on your skin. That familiar discoloration is the result of blood leaking beneath the surface of your skin after you’ve injured a blood vessel.
A bone contusion, or bone bruise, happens when you have a small injury on the surface of a bone. The discoloration appears as blood and other fluids build up. A fracture, on the other hand, involves damage to a deeper area of bone.
It’s possible to bruise any bone, but it’s more likely to happen to bones that are close to your skin’s surface.
It’s easy to assume you have a regular everyday bruise if your skin looks black, blue, or purple. Your injury may run a little deeper, though. Symptoms that suggest you may have a bone bruise include:
•stiffness
•swelling of the joint
•tenderness and pain lasting longer than a usual bruise
•trouble using an injured joint
A bruise involving your knee can lead to a buildup of fluid on the knee, which can be painful. Depending on how the injury happened, you might also have damage to nearby ligaments.
Bone bruises are fairly common. Anyone can get one. The bones that you’re most likely to bruise are the ones in your knees and heels.
A bone bruise is usually the result of a direct hit to the bone, which can occur during fall, accident, or bump during a sports event. You can also bruise your bone if you twist your ankle or wrist.
You might be more prone to bone bruises if one or more of the following applies to you:
•You’re active in sports, especially high-impact sports.
•You don’t wear proper protective equipment.
•Your job is physically demanding.
When you get a bone bruise, it’s hard to tell if it’s related to a more serious problem that needs treatment. It’s always a good idea to get a doctor’s opinion.
Seek prompt medical attention if any of the following occurs:
•The swelling won’t go down.
•The swelling is getting worse.
•The pain is increasing, and over-the-counter pain relievers aren’t helping.
•Part of your body, such as your fingers or toes, are turning blue, cold, and numb.
For a minor bone bruise, your doctor may recommend rest, ice, and pain relievers. They may suggest that you take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Aleve or ibuprofen.
If the bone bruise is in your leg or foot, elevate your leg to help ease swelling. Apply ice for 15 to 20 minutes a few times per day. Don’t put ice directly on your skin. Use a towel or an ice pack.
You may also have to avoid certain physical activities and sports until you’re fully healed. Relatively minor bone bruises can start to get better within a few weeks. The more severe ones can take several months to heal.
Injury to a joint may require a brace to keep the joint still while it heals. If you need a brace, splint, or crutches, use them as your doctor prescribes and follow up as your doctor recommends.
Bone injuries can take longer to heal if you smoke. Depending on the extent of your injury, a physical therapist may be able to show you how to move your injured joint so that you don’t cause more damage.
You may need further diagnostic testing if your injury doesn’t heal.
You may have to rest for some amount of time, but it’s important to allow your bone to heal fully. Returning to your regular activities too soon can make things worse.
Although there’s a great variation in recovery time, it usually takes a few months to heal. Most of the time, there are no lasting problems. Complications are rare unless a more extensive injury occurred.
Bone bruises aren’t always preventable. Certain lifestyle choices can help you’re your bones strong and healthy and improve their ability to heal. Follow these tips to keep your bones healthy:
•Eat a well-balanced diet.
•Get regular physical activity. Activity is good for your bone health, particularly weight-bearing exercise.
•Always use the recommended protective equipment when playing sports.
•Bones tend to weaken with age, so talk to your doctor about bone health at your annual physical.
•Don’t smoke. It may weaken your bones.
A bone bruise is a small injury to the surface of a bone that causes pain, swelling, and discoloration. Learn how to recognize, treat, and prevent bone bruises, and when to see a doctor.
May 5, 2023 · Learn how to tell if a bone is fractured or bruised based on symptoms, causes, and imaging tests. Find out when to seek emergency care and how to treat a fracture or a bone bruise at home.
Jul 7, 2023 · A bone bruise is a type of injury that damages the blood vessels in your bone, causing pain, swelling, and sometimes visible bruising. Learn how to prevent, recognize, and treat a bone bruise, and when to see a doctor for possible complications.
A bone bruise is a traumatic injury to a bone. It's less severe than a bone fracture. You might think of a black and blue mark on your skin when you hear the word bruise, but bruises can also happen in muscle and bone.
- What Causes A Bone Bruise?Injury of any kind can cause a bone bruise. Sports injuries, motor vehicle accidents, or falls from a height can cause them. Twisting injuries—such...
- What Are The Risks For A Bone Bruise?You may be at higher risk for a bone bruise if you don’t use the proper safety gear for your sport. Other risky actions, such as not wearing a seat...
- What Are The Symptoms of A Bone Bruise?Symptoms of a bone bruise can include: 1. Pain and tenderness in the injured area 2. Swelling in the area and soft tissues around it 3. Change in c...
- How Is A Bone Bruise Diagnosed?Your healthcare provider will ask you about your medical history and symptoms. He or she will ask how you got your injury. You’ll be given an exam...
- How Is A Bone Bruise Treated?Treatment for a bone bruise may include: 1. Resting the bone or joint 2. Applying ice to the area several times a day 3. Raising the injury above t...
- What Are The Complications of A Bone Bruise?Most bone bruises heal without any problems. If your bone bruise is very large, your body may have trouble getting blood flow back to the area. Thi...
- When Should I Call The Healthcare Provider?Call your healthcare provider if your symptoms don’t start to get better in a few days. Call him or her right away if you have any severe symptoms,...
- Key Points About Bone BruiseA bone bruise is a type of traumatic injury. It is less severe than a bone fracture. It causes blood and fluid to build up at in and around your in...
Apr 8, 2024 · A bone bruise is a serious and painful condition that occurs when a blood vessel breaks close to the surface of the skin or deeper in the bone. It can cause swelling, pain, and discoloration, and may be associated with sports injuries, fractures, or osteoarthritis. Learn how to recognize, treat, and prevent bone bruises from this article.
A bone bruise is a traumatic injury to a bone that causes blood and fluid to leak into the nearby tissues and blood vessels. It can be seen only on an MRI scan. It may cause pain, swelling, and a change in color of the injured area. Treatment includes rest, ice, pain medicines, and a brace to prevent movement.
