Are Contusions Curable?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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Most contusions are minor and heal quickly

, without taking the athlete away from the game. Severe contusions, however, can cause deep tissue damage and lead to complications that may prevent an athlete from being able to play sports for months.

How long does it take for a contusion to heal?

Moderate-to-severe contusions take an average of

4-6 weeks

to heal. Minor contusions take considerably less time. If your child puts too much stress on the injured area before it is healed, excessive scar tissue may develop.

How are contusions treated?

How are Contusions or Bruises Treated? Initial treatment for contusion should include

rest, icing the affected area for 20 minutes

, and applying a compression wrap to help minimize swelling. If there is an accompanying open wound, keep the area clean and bandaged.

How serious are contusions?

Most contusions are minor and heal quickly, without taking the athlete away from the game. Severe contusions, however,

can cause deep tissue damage and lead to complications

that may prevent an athlete from being able to play sports for months.

Do contusions require surgery?

Organ contusions may require more intensive treatment, including hospitalization.

A doctor may need to perform surgery to repair an injury

or stop the bleeding.

How long does a contusion lump last?

The swelling and pain of the hematoma will go away. This takes from

1 to 4 weeks

, depending on the size of the hematoma. The skin over the hematoma may turn bluish then brown and yellow as the blood is dissolved and absorbed. Usually, this only takes a couple of weeks but can last months.

Do you need physical therapy for a contusion?

You treat a contusion injury with rest, ice, compression and elevation. Severe

contusions are treated with physical therapy, physical assistance and surgery

. A contusion is more commonly known as a bruise. When your body is injured, blood vessels can break under your skin.

When should I be concerned about a contusion?

Call the doctor

if bruising occurs easily or for no apparent reason

. Call the doctor if the bruise is painful and under a toenail or fingernail. Call the doctor if a bruise does not improve within two weeks or fails to completely clear after three or four weeks.

Can a contusion cause a blood clot?


The bruise itself won’t cause a blood clot

. In very rare circumstances, the hit that caused the bruise can. If a deep-seated vein is damaged during the collision, it could lead to a deep-vein clot.

Is a contusion the same as a hematoma?


A bruise

, also known as a contusion, typically appears on the skin after trauma such as a blow to the body. It occurs when the small veins and capillaries under the skin break. A hematoma is a collection (or pooling) of blood outside the blood vessel.

How long does a contusion to knee take to heal?

Most contusions simply need time to heal. Soft tissue contusions can take anywhere from

a few days to a couple of weeks

to heal. Bone contusions may take longer — usually a couple of months — depending on how severe the injury is.

How long does it take for a calf contusion to heal?

With appropriate management, patients with minor calf contusions can usually recover in

1-3 weeks

. With larger contusions, recovery may take four to eight weeks or longer depending on the severity of injury.

Is a hematoma a hard lump?

A hematoma may form in a muscle or in the tissues just under the skin. A hematoma that forms under the skin will feel like

a bump or hard mass

. Hematomas can happen anywhere in your body, including in your brain.

How do you speed up the healing of a hematoma?

Apply ice immediately after the injury. Apply heat to bruises that have already formed to clear up the trapped blood.

Compression, elevation, and a bruise-healing diet

can also help speed up the healing process.

Will a hematoma lump go away?

Sometimes,

hematomas can go away on their own

. If you have a muscular hematoma, doctors generally recommend the RICE method — rest, ice, compression, and elevation to reduce the swelling and give it time to heal.

What does a hematoma feel like?


Pain, swelling, redness, and disfiguring bruises

are common symptoms of hematoma in general. Some symptoms specific to the location of a hematoma are: Subdural hematoma

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.