A hip injury (in ICD 10 is listed under the code S70.0) is an injury, after which a bruise forms on the skin. It may appear as a result of a fall, a hit with a heavy object or foot. The essence of the injury is that small blood vessels break, but the skin remains holistic. When this happens, blood flows into adjacent tissue. This causes the rapid development of pathology, which can lead to serious consequences. Read about what circumstances contribute to injury and what to do in such situations.
How to recognize
In most cases, a bruise remains on the damaged thigh. This causes blood to flow into the surrounding soft tissues and muscles, resulting in a hematoma under the skin.
A bruise of the femoral neck is accompanied by a bruise red in color when it is fresh. After a few hours, the hematoma turns blue or purple. After a couple of days, the bruise usually turns into yellow or green. This happens when the bruise heals.
Description
A bruise of the hip joint caused by a direct blow or an unsuccessful fall on the iliac crest and / or femur provokes a bruise. The surrounding tissue structures may also be affected. Contact sports are a common cause of this type of injury, most often this happens in football and hockey due to improper use of equipment, violation of the playing technique. Direct force can cause a fracture. The pain is caused by the pinching of the sphenoid nerve, which runs along the iliac crest. Significant discomfort can be felt when walking, laughing, coughing or even deep breathing.
Danger
Severe hip contusion in the elderly and young people usually leads to subcutaneous bleeding. It pours into the muscle tissue, creates swelling and makes the movement of the legs painful. The hematoma that occurs in this area can potentially be based in the area of the femoral nerve or lateral surface of the thigh. This injury is usually treated from one to six weeks, depending on the degree of damage. In most cases, patients fully recover within the specified period. It is necessary to conduct a medical diagnosis to exclude the possibility of damage to the abdominal organs.
Read on to find out how to treat a bruised hip, when to visit a traumatologist, and how to provide first aid.
Signs and Symptoms
The most obvious symptom of a bruised hip is subcutaneous hematoma. Other symptoms may develop within 48 hours after a hip injury. The affected limb will be quite painful. It may be difficult to move, for example, when walking. The pain becomes much stronger if any pressure is applied to the bruise.
One of the following symptoms that indicate the presence of pathology may be noted:
- Pain that increases when you touch a bruise or move.
- Swelling or hardening at or near the hematoma.
- Red, blue, or black skin, which in a few days may change to green or yellow.
- Limited movement of the bruised hip.
If any sign appears, consult a traumatologist.
Possible reasons
The most common cause of hip injury is a fall. But keep in mind that this is not the only option - any damage can lead to a bruise. Other causes of a bruised hip:
- hit;
- hit in the thigh area of a large and heavy object;
- fracture.
Diagnostics
A thorough examination will help the doctor diagnose a bruise. Often use an MRI scan to determine the depth of the lesion.
Since bruises usually heal without treatment within a few days, if there is no particular discomfort, it is permissible not to visit a doctor.
But if the pain is severe or it is very difficult to move, you need to visit a doctor who will conduct an examination. He will check if the hip is broken. To clarify the diagnosis, the doctor will apply an x-ray study.
Call an ambulance if:
- There is intense pain that makes movement impossible.
- You cannot carry weight on your thigh.
- Feel numb in your legs.
These symptoms indicate a serious injury that requires immediate medical attention. Any attempt to move in these circumstances can worsen the condition.
Hip injury treatment
Initially, treatment can be done without medication. Therapy includes physical rest, ice-making and limb immobilization. Ice can be put on for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours the first three days after the injury. The hip joint requires sufficient recovery time to normalize damaged structures. If walking is difficult, crutches can be used to provide mobilization. A return to the usual way of life will be determined by the intensity of the pain, the degree of mobility of the hips. The process may take 1-3 weeks.
While you are waiting for a bruised healing, you can ask a physiotherapist to show some simple exercises to improve the movement of the hip joint and prevent stiffness. Active exercises can be useful if the pain is not strong and there are no medical prohibitions.
How to return to sport after a hip injury?
Once the pain has passed, you can return to physical activity or sports. But it is also important that they are not very intense, otherwise the appearance of prolonged pain is possible. This can disrupt the usual way of life.
If you have any concerns about a hip injury, consult a physiotherapist or doctor.
A bruised thigh usually heals on its own in a relatively short period of time and often does not require any medical intervention.
However, there are home remedies that you can use to speed up the healing process.
- Limit movement. This will allow the bruise to get off faster and help in treating pain.
- Ice. Apply it to the affected area for the period specified above. Use an ice bag or just put the cubes in a plastic bag. Cover your foot with a towel to protect your skin. Ice reduces pain and swelling and prevents tissue damage.
- Compress. Use an elastic bandage to compress the affected area and reduce swelling. Your doctor may give recommendations regarding the use of an elastic bandage and how tight it should be.
- Raise your thigh above your waist as often as possible. This helps reduce swelling and pain. You can use blankets or pillows to make it more comfortable.
You can also take pain medication to help you feel better, such as Acetaminophen. If there is swelling or thickening, anti-inflammatory drugs such as Ibuprofen can help relieve symptoms.
How long will the recovery take?
The length of time it takes to recover depends on the severity of the injury and the depth of the injury. The process can last from two to four weeks. During this time, you can fully recover and return to normal activity.
Do not massage, heat or stretch damaged muscles until the time of recovery. This can interfere with healing. Avoid or limit your alcohol intake during recovery. After all, alcohol can also slow the healing of a bruise.
You can be treated with the help of folk and medication. See your doctor if the pain persists after home treatment, or if you have any questions about the symptoms.
Signs and symptoms of a bruised hip muscle include instant pain, bruising and swelling, severe weakness, cramping, and a rapid decrease in hip / leg functioning, resulting in decreased human activity.
How to behave?
Rest is the first thing to do with such an injury. You also need to immediately attach something cold or ice. This will protect against the occurrence of an extensive hematoma. During the first 7-10 days, patients can take the anti-inflammatory drugs mentioned above and use cold therapy. Since this injury is very painful, recovery usually does not happen too quickly. When a person does not feel pain, special massage and physical exercises can reduce stress and prevent the formation of scar tissue. In addition, injections of corticosteroids into the affected area can quickly reduce bruising symptoms and speed recovery. Surgical treatment in such cases is rarely prescribed and is intended only for patients who have a significant displacement or fracture of the bone.
Reviews of people who have received such an injury state that with the right actions, it is possible to get rid of the problem quite quickly. At the first suspicion of a bruise, you should consult a doctor. He will conduct an examination and determine the severity of it. After all, a hip bruise is a rather serious injury that requires close attention.
If you are very hurt, then you should limit the load, reduce the number of sports. Be sure to use special protective clothing designed for training in the hall and on the street.