Sports-And-Fitness

The thigh bruise

definition

A bruise is also called in medicine Contusion designated. It is an injury caused by a shock, kick, fall or other external force.
Visible injuries may be absent, but often bruises, pain and swelling of the affected area occur because smaller vessels and capillaries break and this leads to the escape of fluid and blood into the surrounding tissue.

External injuries such as abrasions, wounds and the leakage of blood do not belong to the definition of a thigh contusion per se. A bruise is not dangerous, but it can be very painful and annoying. The lateral thigh in particular is not very flexible due to the tendon plate that tightens the hips and bruises are particularly painful and extensive.

causes

A thigh bruise can occur in any activity. Very often bruises occur in accidents, falls and sports with physical contact or high speeds. But bruises can also occur in everyday life, e.g. for simple bumps on doors or objects. Any situation in which a force acts on the thigh at certain points or over a large area can cause a thigh contusion.

Possible causes of thigh bruises include, for example, falls or collisions with an obstacle. Some sports are at high risk of falling and thigh bruises are common, such as horse riding, various ball sports such as handball and soccer, and winter sports. They are also common in martial arts.
In pole dancing, bruises are called "pole kisses“, Depending on the severity, bruises can also occur here.

Bruises can also be the result of physical violence and are caused by knocks or kicks. Abuse and physical confrontation can result in bruises in various areas.

Bruised thigh after a fall

In the event of a fall, bruises on the thigh are a very common problem. Cyclists or motorcyclists, for example, are predestined here. When falling at high speed, there are less problematic abrasions and bruises in addition to more critical injuries. Thigh contusions are also common in the elderly and frail. Here these arise through Falls while walking or getting out of bed. This group of people often show thigh bruises in the area of the femoral head (outside of the thigh). These falls should not be underestimated, as fractures can occur in addition to the bruises. Therefore, the rule of thumb is that older people should see a doctor after falling on their thighs and hips.

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These symptoms will help you identify a thigh bruise

The symptoms of a thigh contusion vary in severity depending on the extent of the fall or the amount of violence that occurred. Typically, this includes the patient's description of a painful event.

Shortly after the event, those affected report severe pain in the affected area. Over the next few hours or days, a bruise usually develops, which changes color from red to blue to black to yellow and green. This is due to the breakdown of the blood pigment hemoglobin, which takes place via various intermediate products. They are also known as bruises, bruises, or bruises.

Bruising occurs when the muscles are squeezed, injuring vessels and causing blood and lymph fluid to leak into the tissue. This also causes the resulting swelling. This can occur very quickly and last for several days. Inflowing cells of the immune system increase the sensitivity to pain and are involved in the inflammatory process.

In the case of bruises on joints or muscle origins and insertions, there may be restricted mobility and pain during exercise and exertion, as the muscle hardens and the functionality is limited. In principle, the various symptoms can be very pronounced or only weak. This depends on the force and the area of the impact.

You might also be interested in this topic: Bruise on the thigh

Bruising from thigh contusion

A bruise is medically known as a hematoma, popularly also as "bruise". It can be the result of a bruise or other injury: It is based on damage to small vessels that cause blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. Bruises often occur after sports injuries, kicks, falls or blows, so they can also be the result of physical disputes. Bruising also occurs after blood samples have been drawn and after operations.
Some people are more sensitive and develop bruises more quickly; in rare cases, this is due to a hereditary disease, for example haemophilia. Patients treated with blood-thinning medication also have a tendency to bruise after minor injuries. If bruises appear without any visible connection, a visit to a doctor is advisable to rule out other causes such as a disease of the bone marrow. After a thigh contusion, however, it is completely normal for an accompanying bruise to occur, so that you do not have to think about another underlying disease.

Bruises usually heal in two to three weeks and undergo various discolorations: This can be explained by the breakdown of the red blood pigment hemoglobin in the injured area. At first, hematomas are red, then turn dark to brown-black, and finally turn yellow and green. The spread of the bruise can be contained by immediate cooling after the injury.

For general information on this topic, please also read our page: Bruising- Everything about the topic

Pain in a thigh contusion

The appearance of pain is part of a thigh contusion. In the case of direct exposure, there is usually a strong, immediate feeling of pain, such as a horse kiss. Those affected often have that Feeling unable to move your thigh. Ideally, this severe pain subsides after a few minutes. A feeling of pain often remains over the next few days. Depending on the extent of the bruise, this period can be longer. If the pain is unbearable, does not go away, or gets worse, there is a possibility that there is a more complex injury. In this case, the family doctor or the general practitioner on duty should be contacted.

Can I get a bruise without a bruise?

A bruise is typical of a thigh bruise and occurs when smaller vessels are injured and blood and fluid leak into the tissue. But not every bruise has to be a bruise. It depends on the location and power of the event. E.g. A "horse kiss" in soccer often produces an effusion, while for example hitting a car door has no consequences.

Another very important factor lies with those affected themselves. Many people get bruises even with minor exertion of force, without even noticing them. For many women, e.g. small bruises on your legs quickly. Bruising is also more common in patients taking blood-thinning medication. On the other hand, there are also patients who are less prone to bruising.

treatment

Treatment of a thigh contusion is usually conservative. The so-called PECH rule should be used:

First, a break (P) of the activity is announced.
The use of ice (E) or cold as a means to counteract swelling and bruising is central. In addition to regular use during the healing process, the application of cold directly after the event can improve the process enormously. Cold spray is ideal here. This immediately constricts vessels and reduces the release of pain transmitters. Long-term cold therapy that is applied directly to the skin should be avoided to prevent frostbite.
Furthermore, compression (C) of the thigh can counteract swelling and severe bruising.
The final step in the PECH rule is Elevate (H). As a result, the leg is at the same level as the heart and the blood does not “sink” into the legs. As a result, less blood and fluid is pressed through the injured vessels and capillaries.

General information on the type of treatment can be found here: The PECH rule

The pain is usually treated with light pain medication, such as ibuprofen. In addition, local pain relievers or heparin ointments can relieve the pain and speed up the healing of the bruise. In rare cases, a bruise can be encapsulated. Then a connective tissue wall is created around the bruise. If so, surgical removal of the bruise may have to be carried out. But this is not part of the normal course of a thigh contusion.

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Kinesio tape

Thigh bruises are one of the many areas of application for kinesio tapes. It is an elastic, self-adhesive tape, which is applied to the skin using various techniques according to the principles of kinesiology. Kinesio tapes are used in the prophylaxis but also Sports injury treatment or in the Pain medicine. It is used by a wide variety of doctors and physical therapists.

So far there are no scientifically proven results or studies on the effectiveness of kinesio tapes. Hypotheses about the mode of action are, for example, an improvement in blood circulation, activation of self-healing powers and skin-mediated irritation.

There are different taping techniques that you can use yourself. In the case of thigh bruises, a cross is first stuck over the affected area, the pain center is in the middle. Two more tapes complete the star-shaped formation. A horizontally stuck tape can be placed over the bruise. Another option focuses on promoting lymphatic drainage. Here, tapes that are fanned cranially (above) are affixed to the bruise so that they come together. Here, a more detailed knowledge of the course of the lymphatic system is important.

diagnosis

The diagnosis of a bruise is clinical in most of all cases, which means that the doctor does not resort to other diagnostic methods. A painful event in the anamnesis is usually enough to indicate a bruise. Here the triggering cause is questioned. By Palpation (Scanning) and inspection The diagnosis can then be ensured (look at). If a worse fall or the like is described, a more detailed examination is advisable in order to identify potentially dangerous disease processes, such as to be able to rule out major bleeding or fractures.

This is particularly important for older people, as an imprecise description of the causal event could overlook complications. In the case of long-lasting bruises with swelling and bruises, an ultrasound examination of the thigh can provide a more accurate representation.

A bruise is characterized by intense, dull pain, usually immediately after the violence. Pressure also increases the pain. Bruising, reddening and swelling of the affected body area are typical.
The contusion must be separated from strains and sprains.

Strains are painful overstretching of tendons and muscle fibers
Sprains affect ligaments of joints

Please also read our page Thigh strain.

Duration of a thigh contusion

A thigh bruise heals normally within a few days to weeks out. Has only a small event occurred, such as bumping into a piece of furniture can be assumed to take a few days. However, if it is a larger bruise with severe swelling and bruises, effects can still be felt and seen after two weeks.

It is imperative that the affected leg be immobilized until fully recovered.
Healing can be supported by applying anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments. The symptoms generally heal after a few days. The training should only be started when there is complete freedom from pain, the intensity should be increased slowly to prevent further injury.

The bruise in particular can be visible for a long time through the various phases of the breakdown of hemoglobin (blood pigment). This changes its color from red and blue in the first hours and days to purple and brown in the further course to green and yellow in the next few weeks. The pain should subside after a few days. The occurrence of slight pressure or exertion pain is still to be assessed as normal after one to two weeks.

However, persistent and sharp pain that prevents normal activities is not normal and should be controlled. Long-term effects from thigh contusion are not expected.

The so-called horse kiss

Of the "Horse kiss"is a slang term for a thigh bruise. Depending on the region, there are other names, for example Deer, pork knuckle or Schenkerl. The horse's hoof kicks, which result in painful thigh bruises, are probably responsible for the name. Thigh bruises, which are caused by ramming an opposing player in contact sports, are called horse kisses.

Read more on this topic at: Horse kiss