Diagnosis | Bruise of the knee

Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a bruise on the knee is usually based on the symptoms typical for this clinical picture. If a bruise on the knee is suspected, the extent of the injury must be determined. For this purpose, ultrasound examinations as well as radiographic images can be performed.

TherapyTreatment

Patients who are suspected of having a bruise on the knee can in many cases be relieved by simple measures. Especially with this type of sports injury, it is particularly important for the healing process to initiate suitable treatment measures at an early stage. The steps best suited to alleviate the pain caused by the bruise on the knee can be easily remembered using the so-called “PECH scheme”.

Immediately after the traumatic event, the affected person should stop any kind of sports activity. It is precisely this pause (P for pause) that ensures adequate protection of the affected body region and can have a positive influence on the healing process. If the knee is loaded again too early after the occurrence of the contusion, healing can be significantly delayed and far-reaching diseases can be provoked.

In addition, the painful knee should be cooled immediately with a suitable coolant (cool pack or ice pack) (E for ice). In this context, however, it must be noted that the coolant must never be placed directly on the skin surface. Ideally, the cooling pad should be wrapped with a thin cloth before it is placed on the aching knee.

Prudent cooling is particularly effective in the presence of a bruise on the knee, especially within the first 10 to 20 minutes after the traumatic event. Furthermore, the affected knee joint can be wrapped with an elastic bandage (C for compression). In this way, the even external pressure can help to prevent swelling and relieve the pain felt by the patient.

Ideally, cooling of the knee should be combined with the application of the bandage. In addition, elevating the leg is considered one of the most effective immediate measures in the presence of a bruise on the knee (H for elevated position). Raising the leg can reduce the amount of blood flowing out of the damaged vessels.

This leads to less pronounced swelling and has a positive effect on the healing process. The first phase of healing a bruise on the knee is completed after approximately 48 hours. Immediately afterwards, the body begins to regenerate the damaged tissue and reduce the bruise.

For this reason, after 48 hours, the treatment of the knee bruise is carried out by means of measures that stimulate the blood flow. In this context, preparations that heat the affected region are particularly suitable. The active ingredient capsaicin (a component of pepper), which is contained in various creams, ointments and plasters, is particularly well suited for further therapy of a bruise on the knee.

In addition, many athletes swear by the local application of horse ointment. In order to positively influence the healing process and accelerate the reduction of local swellings, medicines containing arnica and horse chestnut can also be used. The homeopathic preparation Traumel (in ointment or tablet form) can also be used to treat a bruise on the knee.