Diagnosis

The diagnosis of a contusion is clinical in most cases, which means that the physician does not resort to other diagnostic methods. A painful event in the medical history is usually enough to indicate a contusion. Here the triggering cause is questioned.

The diagnosis can then be confirmed by palpation and inspection. If a more serious fall or similar event is described, a more detailed examination is advisable in order to rule out potentially dangerous courses of disease, such as major bleeding or fractures. This is particularly important for older people, as complications could be overlooked if the causal event is not described in detail.

In the case of prolonged contusions with swelling and bruising, an ultrasound examination of the thigh can provide a more accurate image. A contusion is characterized by severe, dull pain, usually immediately after the violent impact. Pressure additionally increases the pain.

Typical are bruises, redness and swelling of the affected body region. The contusion must be distinguished from strains and sprains.

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

Duration of a thigh contusion

A thigh contusion heals in the regular course within a few days to weeks. If only a small event has taken place, such as bumping into a piece of furniture, it can be assumed that it will take a few days to heal. However, if it is a larger bruise with severe swelling and bruising, effects can still be felt and seen after two weeks.

It is essential to immobilize the affected leg until complete recovery. The healing process can be supported by applying anti-inflammatory and analgesic ointments. In general, the complaints heal after a few days.

Training should only be started when the patient is completely free of pain, the intensity should be increased slowly to prevent a new injury. Especially the bruising can be visible for a long time through the different phases of the breakdown of hemoglobin (blood pigment). This changes its color from red and blue in the first hours and days, through purple and brown in the further course to green and yellow in the following weeks.

The pain should subside after a few days. The occurrence of slight pressure or stress pain should still be considered normal after one to two weeks. However, a persistent and stabbing pain that prevents normal activities is not normal and should be controlled. Long-term effects of thigh contusion are not expected.