What is a contusion of the hip. Hip Contusion: Symptoms, Treatment, and Recovery Guide
What are the symptoms of a hip contusion. How is a hip contusion treated. What is the recovery time for a hip contusion. How can you prevent hip contusions. When should you seek medical attention for a hip contusion.
Understanding Hip Contusions: Causes and Symptoms
A hip contusion, commonly known as a hip bruise, occurs when small blood vessels break open and leak blood into the surrounding tissues. This injury typically results from a direct impact to the hip area, such as a bump, hit, or fall. Understanding the nature of this injury is crucial for proper treatment and recovery.
The primary symptoms of a hip contusion include:
- Changes in skin color (bruising)
- Swelling
- Pain in the affected area
- Limited range of motion
It’s important to note that a deep bruise may take several hours to become visible on the skin’s surface. In severe cases, an X-ray may be necessary to rule out any bone fractures.
Immediate Care for Hip Contusions
When you sustain a hip contusion, taking immediate action can help alleviate pain and reduce swelling. Here are some steps you can take:
- Apply ice to the bruised area
- Rest and avoid putting weight on the affected hip
- Use over-the-counter pain relievers if necessary
- Elevate the affected area if possible
How long should you ice a hip contusion? On the first day, apply a cold pack to the bruised area for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours. After that, use an ice pack 3 to 4 times a day until the pain and swelling subside.
Long-Term Treatment and Recovery
While most hip contusions heal on their own with proper care, some cases may require more extensive treatment. Here’s what you need to know about long-term care and recovery:
Pain Management
To manage pain associated with a hip contusion, you can use over-the-counter pain relievers such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. In some cases, your healthcare provider may prescribe stronger pain medication if needed. Always follow your provider’s instructions when taking any medication.
Mobility Aids
If walking causes pain, using crutches or a walker can help reduce stress on the injured hip. These mobility aids can be rented from most drugstores and medical supply stores. Use them until you can walk without pain.
Physical Therapy
In some cases, physical therapy may be recommended to help restore full range of motion and strength to the affected hip. A physical therapist can guide you through exercises designed to promote healing and prevent future injuries.
Recovery Timeline for Hip Contusions
The recovery time for a hip contusion can vary depending on the severity of the injury. However, here’s a general timeline you can expect:
- Swelling typically decreases within a few days
- Bruising may take several weeks to fully disappear
- Pain gradually subsides over several weeks
How long does it take for a hip contusion to heal completely? While minor contusions may heal within a few weeks, more severe cases can take up to 4-6 weeks for full recovery. It’s important to be patient and follow your healthcare provider’s advice throughout the healing process.
When to Seek Medical Attention
While many hip contusions can be treated at home, there are situations where medical attention is necessary. You should contact your healthcare provider if you experience:
- Increased pain, bruising, or swelling near the injured area
- Decreased ability to bear weight on the injured side
- Pain or swelling that develops below the knee
- Chest pain or shortness of breath
These symptoms could indicate a more serious injury or complication that requires professional medical evaluation and treatment.
Preventing Hip Contusions
While it’s not always possible to prevent accidents, there are steps you can take to reduce your risk of hip contusions:
- Wear appropriate protective gear during sports and physical activities
- Strengthen the muscles around your hips through regular exercise
- Improve your balance and coordination to reduce the risk of falls
- Ensure your living and working environments are free from potential hazards
Can hip contusions be prevented entirely? While it’s impossible to prevent all injuries, taking these precautions can significantly reduce your risk of sustaining a hip contusion.
Impact of Hip Contusions on Daily Life
A hip contusion can have a significant impact on your daily activities, especially in the early stages of recovery. Here’s how it might affect different aspects of your life:
Work
Depending on your job, a hip contusion may require you to take time off or modify your work duties. If your job involves physical labor or prolonged standing, you may need to discuss accommodations with your employer.
Exercise and Sports
You’ll likely need to take a break from high-impact activities and sports while recovering from a hip contusion. Your healthcare provider can advise you on when it’s safe to resume these activities and may recommend low-impact exercises to maintain fitness during recovery.
Daily Tasks
Simple activities like walking, climbing stairs, or even sitting for long periods may be challenging with a hip contusion. You may need to adjust your routine or seek assistance with certain tasks during the recovery period.
How can you manage daily activities with a hip contusion? Consider using assistive devices like a cane or walker, taking frequent breaks, and modifying your environment to reduce strain on the injured hip.
Long-Term Outlook and Potential Complications
While most hip contusions heal without long-term consequences, it’s important to be aware of potential complications and the overall prognosis:
Myositis Ossificans
In rare cases, a condition called myositis ossificans can develop following a severe contusion. This involves the formation of bone tissue within the muscle, which can cause prolonged pain and limited mobility.
Chronic Pain
Some individuals may experience persistent pain or discomfort even after the initial healing period. This could be due to factors such as scar tissue formation or changes in movement patterns developed during recovery.
Increased Risk of Future Injuries
Once you’ve had a hip contusion, you may be at higher risk for future injuries in the same area. This makes proper rehabilitation and preventive measures even more crucial.
What is the long-term outlook for someone who has had a hip contusion? Most people recover fully from hip contusions without lasting effects. However, following your healthcare provider’s advice, completing any recommended rehabilitation, and taking steps to prevent future injuries are key to ensuring the best possible outcome.
In conclusion, while a hip contusion can be painful and temporarily disruptive, with proper care and patience, most people make a full recovery. By understanding the nature of the injury, following appropriate treatment protocols, and taking steps to prevent future incidents, you can minimize the impact of a hip contusion on your life and activities. Remember to consult with a healthcare professional if you have any concerns about your injury or recovery process.
Hip Bruise
A bruise (contusion) happens when small blood vessels break open and leak blood into the nearby area. A hip bruise can result from a bump, hit, or fall. Symptoms of a bruise often include changes in skin color, swelling, and pain. It may take several hours for a deep bruise to show up. If the injury is severe, you may need an X-ray to check for broken bones. Swelling should decrease in a few days. Bruising and pain may take several weeks to go away.
Home care
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Unless another medicine was prescribed, you may take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to help relieve pain and swelling. If needed, stronger pain medicines may be prescribed. Take all medicines as directed by your provider.
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Ice the bruised area to help reduce pain and swelling. To make an ice pack, place ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel. On the first day, apply the cold pack to the bruised area for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours. Then, use an ice pack 3 to 4 times a day until the pain and swelling goes away.
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If walking causes pain, use crutches or a walker until you can walk without pain. These items can be rented at most drugstores and medical or orthopedic supply stores.
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If your injury is keeping you from moving around or caring for yourself correctly, you may qualify for services, such as home healthcare. Check with your healthcare provider and insurance company to see if this type of care is covered by your plan.
Follow-up
Follow up with your provider as advised.
When to get medical care
Call your provider right away if any of these take place:
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Increased pain, bruising, or swelling near the injured area
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Decreased ability to bear weight on the injured side
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Pain or swelling develops below the knee
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Chest pain or shortness of breath
© 2000-2022 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional’s instructions.
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Hip Contusion
A hip contusion, or bruising of the hip, is a mild injury that can occur as a result of a direct impact to the hip. When a bruise or contusion occurs, the small blood vessels get damaged and blood leaks out under the skin causing the typical swelling and bruising seen in these injuries.
While a hip contusion is uncomfortable and may temporarily make it difficult to walk or use your hip normally, it’s an injury that typically resolves quickly.
Sometimes, especially in the sporting world, these injuries are called ‘Hip pointers’.
Overview
A hip contusion, or bruising of the hip, is a mild injury that can occur as a result of a direct impact to the hip. When a bruise or contusion occurs, the small blood vessels get damaged and blood leaks out under the skin causing the typical swelling and bruising seen in these injuries.
While a hip contusion is uncomfortable and may temporarily make it difficult to walk or use your hip normally, it’s an injury that typically resolves quickly.
Sometimes, especially in the sporting world, these injuries are called ‘Hip pointers’.
What causes Hip Contusion?
A hip contusion usually results from a direct blow to the hip from an object or another person. It can also occur as a consequence of striking your hip during a fall. Any blunt trauma with sufficient force to propel its energy into the muscle can cause a contusion. Contusions are often the result of sports-related injuries. Hip contusions are common in contact sports especially the following;
- Football
- Rugby
- Lacrosse
- Soccer
- Basketball
Risk factors for a hip contusion or a hip pointer include participation in contact sports and wearing limited or no padding or protective equipment in the region.
Symptoms
If you have a hip Contusion, you may have these symptoms:
- Pain and/or stiffness in the hip
- Ecchymoses, or ‘black and blue’ bruising and/or redness.
- Swelling of the hip
- Difficulty weight bearing and/or limping
If you have a hip contusion you are usually able to put some pressure on your hip and move the hip but with some discomfort.
When to see a doctor
Although a hip contusion doesn’t usually require medical treatment, you may need to see your doctor to make sure that you don’t have a more serious injury. Make an appointment to see your doctor if you injure your hip and have swelling/pain that gets worse instead of better, have a lot of bruising or swelling in your hip, or have trouble weight bearing. Your doctor will ask you about your injury and your symptoms and examine your hip. In order to rule out another injury, your doctor may order an x-ray or MRI to get a better look at the bones and soft tissues of your hip.
Non-operative treatment
Hip contusions are always treated nonoperatively. Conservative treatments include:
- Laying flat to take your weight off the hip
- Crutches or a cane as needed
- Rest, including taking a break from play
- Icing your hip (every one to two hours for 20 minutes) – The general recommendation is to avoid heat during the first 24-48 hours to avoid increasing the extent of bleeding and swelling.
- Over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, if needed
- Severe contusions are often treated by a Physical Therapist or an Athletic Trainer. They are often the best people to advise you on when it is safe to return to your sport.
Try these exercises to help address your condition:
Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program
Hip Contusion
Recovery
After a hip contusion, you may be able to restart normal activities after just a few days, though more severe contusions may require several weeks of resting your hip. You should start stretching exercises within a few days of your injury and progress to strengthening and weight-bearing exercises, under the guidance of your doctor or physical therapist. You can return to play once you’ve regained your full range of motion and strength of your ankle, knee and hip.
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A contusion of the hip joint is a closed mechanical injury resulting from a fall or blow. Accompanied by local phenomena and local damage to blood vessels. As a result, pain, hematoma and edema occur. In severe cases, it is combined with cracks, fractures, internal bleeding. The injury is especially dangerous for children, pregnant women and the elderly.
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Symptoms
Sharp pain, increased swelling, difficulty moving, lameness are the main symptoms that characterize a bruised hip joint, treatment should be started immediately. If it is difficult for the victim to get up, you should not carry it on your own – you need to call an ambulance.
If the injury is not so serious, apply a cold object wrapped in a cloth to the bruise and apply a bandage. For severe pain, you can take an analgesic. After that, you need to consult a doctor – an orthopedic traumatologist to clarify the diagnosis and prescribe timely treatment.
Complications of a contusion of the hip joint – hemarthrosis, synovitis, myositis, temporary disability. In pregnant women, a fall can cause preterm labor or a change in the position of the baby, while the elderly are at a higher risk of a fracture.
Diagnosis and treatment
Treatment of bruises of the hip joint should be carried out by an orthopedic traumatologist after a thorough diagnosis. It is important to assess the extent and depth of the injury, to exclude the presence of fractures and other injuries, for this, an x-ray is prescribed. With its insufficient information content, the doctor may recommend arthroscopy, CT, MRI.
Minor bruises are treated as outpatients, severe cases may require hospitalization. In the first 2-3 days, it is desirable to limit physical activity; crutches and a cane can be used for movement.
To accelerate the resorption of hematomas, compresses, warming ointments, creams are prescribed, and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs are used to relieve pain. In the recovery period, it is possible to prescribe physiotherapeutic methods, exercise therapy. Extensive fluid-filled hematomas require opening, drainage, and disinfection.
With proper treatment and the absence of complications, the prognosis is favorable. Residual effects disappear within a month after the injury. It is important to strictly follow all the recommendations of the doctor.
Treatment of a contusion of the hip joint in Odintsovo and Zvenigorod
Residents and guests of Odintsovo and Zvenigorod can get help from experienced traumatologists and orthopedists at VERAMED clinics. Our own laboratory, modern X-ray machines, a day hospital, equipped operating rooms, a physiotherapy department – this and much more allows us to provide patients with injuries and bruises with medical care in full. You can make an appointment through the website or by phone: 8(495)150-03-03.
Contusion of the hip joint, hips, causes, symptoms and treatment
Contusion – mechanical damage to soft tissues in the area of the hip joint and part of the lower limb, in which there are no significant violations of their structures. The skin, subcutaneous fatty tissue, periosteum, muscles are damaged, especially with a heavy blow, soft tissues suffer. Injuries happen to people of all ages and for a variety of reasons. They often occur in everyday life, during sports, when falling on their side, hitting, colliding. The most persistent symptoms are pain, swelling, limited mobility, and bruising. Orthopedists and traumatologists are engaged in the diagnosis and treatment of a bruised hip joint.
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Causes
Tissue damage in the hip joint, thigh occurs under the influence of a mechanical factor. A bruise can be received when falling, twisting a leg, from a blow with a blunt object, in conditions of industrial, domestic, sports, street injuries, traffic accidents, as a result of natural and industrial disasters, criminal incidents.
Article checked
Kuchenkov A.V.
Orthopedist • Traumatologist • Surgeon • Phlebologist • Sports doctor • 25 years of experience
Publication date: March 24, 2021
Review date: February 14, 2023
Article content
Symptoms
9 0090 Diagnosis
Diagnosis of contusion of the hip joint, hips are carried out by specialists from the field of traumatology and orthopedics. The doctor conducts an external examination, evaluates the extent and depth of the injury, the quality and amplitude of movements, and finds out the cause of the injury. To clarify the diagnosis with a bruise, to exclude bone pathology, radiography of the hip joint, femur is performed. The study allows you to confirm the integrity of the bones, determine the shape, size and structure of the joint under study, the consequences of injury.