How to Treat a Deep Bone Bruise of the Knee
A deep bone bruise on the knee can be quite painful and debilitating. It is often caused by a sports injury, automobile accident or a household fall. When it occurs, the skin around the bruise will turn a pinkish-red and is often accompanied by swelling. A deep bone bruise should not be ignored and the individual should not try to tough it out, especially if there is significant swelling. There are a number of things you can do to reduce the discomfort but you may ultimately need to see a doctor if your treatments don't bring relief.Things You'll Need
- Ice pain
- Pain reliever
Instructions
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Rest the injury immediately. If you have hurt your knee in a fall or a collision with another athlete while competing, go to the sideline and rest the knee. Have a trainer or an assistant coach look at the injury immediately and check for visible signs of a fracture. If the injury is causing significant pain, stop playing, get off your feet and rest your knee.
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Treat the injury with ice. Place ice on the injury immediately and leave it there for at least 15 minutes. After you have been examined or taken to a place where you can rest, stay off your feet for at least 24 hours. During that time frame, treat the deep bruise with 15 minutes of ice for every waking hour.
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Take over-the-counter pain medication to contend with the pain and discomfort. Medications like naproxen, ibuprofen and acetaminophen will help relieve the pain and allow you to start moving around after a 24- to 48-hour period of rest.
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Notice that the bruise will change colors after a day or two. The pinkish-red bruise will turn purple and then eventually take on a greenish-yellow tinge. This is normal. However, if you notice any puss around the bruise or any sign of infection, contact your doctor immediately. If you have rested and iced your knee for 24 to 48 hours and there is no improvement, contact your doctor. You may have a fracture or another problem that needs medical attention.
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