Bruise of the heel is a common damage that can be obtained as a result of an unsuccessful emphasis on the foot, a hit on a hard surface. Since such injuries are accompanied by a gradual increase in pain, they should in no case be ignored. If you do not perform proper treatment of the heel, after a while you can cry and lose the ability to move independently.
What is damage?
Under the usual bruise mean closed tissue injuries, in which there is no change in their structure. At the same time, a heel bruise is often accompanied by a rupture of ligaments, dislocation of the joint. Such injuries only increase the already quite significant painful sensations. In some cases, heel injury is accompanied by more serious violations in the
form of fractures and sprains.
Symptoms
Bruised heel is accompanied by damage to vessels in this area. The resulting bruising gradually impregnates the fatty tissue located under the skin. The result is the appearance of a cyanotic region, which, in fact, indicates the presence of a bruise.
From the appearance of the damage alone, it is difficult to determine how severe the blow was and whether the injury was serious. This is due to the characteristics of each individual organism. For example, people with fragile vascular walls and elderly victims often form pronounced bruises of a violet hue. On the contrary, youthful heel injury can only cause redness and swelling of the tissues.
Usually, immediately after an injury, the bruise acquires a bluish tint. In connection with the biochemical processes taking place in the tissues, the site of the lesion becomes greenish yellow over time. The more time has passed since the moment of injury, the yellower the area of injury.
Diagnostics
If acute heel pain is felt , immediate treatment is required. In this case, as a rule, you cannot avoid contacting a traumatologist. Only a specialist can exclude the presence of a fracture. For this purpose, an X-ray of the calcaneus is performed . Only after this event can we proceed to the use of therapeutic agents.
In the case of a bruise complicated by a fracture, casting is not indispensable. If the essence of the injury is only damage to the soft tissues or slight sprain of the ligaments, it is enough to prescribe medications that can relieve swelling and visit physiotherapy.
The most severe heel bruises are accompanied by the instantaneous occurrence of a volumetric edematous region. In the presence of a complex injury, the functions of the foot are impaired. In the most serious cases, it is not only difficult for the victim to lean on his leg, but also touch the heel of a hard surface.
Common causes of heel injury
Various factors can cause injury, including:
- unsuccessful landing after a jump;
- careless movement on uneven surfaces;
- increased physical activity;
- climbing stairs;
- long wearing shoes with uncomfortable or too high heels.
Quite often, sports injuries lead to bruised heels. At risk of receiving such damage are primarily people who lead an active lifestyle, adolescents and children.
First aid
To reduce the level of pain and not to get even more trouble in the form of complications, it is extremely important to get first aid when the heel is bruised. In case of suspected injury, it is recommended to completely eliminate the load on the foot. It is advisable to be in a lying or sitting position until the degree of severity of the injury is ascertained. It is better that the foot while hanging freely.
The primary action for bruised heels is the application of a cold compress in the form of an ice bag, a chilled bottle, etc. to the damaged area. With the help of such a simple action, you can quickly remove the swelling. Treatment of such a plan will also allow you to cope with unbearable growing pain.
Before identifying the nature of the damage, it is categorically not recommended to bandage the foot. In the event of a fracture, bone fragments can be displaced, which will cause a whole host of unpleasant consequences.
Heel injury: how to treat?
Consider the features of recovery after heel injury in cases where the damage is not complicated by the presence of a fracture:
- During the first days after receiving an injury, everything possible should be done to slow down the flow of blood to the tissues in the problem area. For this purpose, cold compresses are regularly applied, after which the heel area is squeezed with an elastic bandage.
- At about 2-3 days, the bruise begins to be affected by warm compresses. The latter contribute to the speedy removal of frozen blood from tissues, eliminate pain. As medical solutions, heparin, Traumeel, Ibuprofen, and other drugs that reduce swelling are additionally used here.
- Gels such as Lyoton and Troxevasin are quite effective in treating bruises. It is recommended to use them in combination with "Dimexide" - a drug that improves the absorbency of the skin and ensures the speedy penetration of the above funds into the deep tissues.
Treatment of heel injury with traditional medicine
Contributes to the speedy recovery from injury as the use of folk remedies. Among the most effective recipes, it is worth noting, first of all, the application of an alcohol compress. To prepare it, it is enough to take a gauze bandage, moisten it with strong alcohol and place on the heel. To avoid rapid evaporation of the active substance, cover the dressing with a plastic bag. It is recommended to repeat the procedure several times a day until the pain disappears completely.
Eliminate accidental or sports injuries will allow the use of cabbage leaves. The latter must be slightly kneaded until a barely visible juice is formed on the surface. After this, the sheets must be attached to the bruised area, fixing with an elastic bandage. This method allows you to quickly remove puffiness and restore normal blood circulation at the site of damage.
Boiled beans also have the above properties, which must be thoroughly kneaded and put on a bruised heel. This slurry should be covered with parchment and fixed with a gauze bandage.
Finally
As you can see, it is quite difficult to overcome the pain in the heel. The treatment here is aimed at relieving puffiness, eliminating subcutaneous hemorrhage, and restoring limb mobility. To avoid such problems, it is worth resorting to the use of specialized equipment during sports, to avoid jumping from a considerable height, and also to remain careful when moving around a difficult terrain.