How I Manage Deep Muscle Bruises

In brief: Because deep muscle bruises are so common, they are often ignored or inadequately treated. This article outlines the evaluation, diagnosis, and treatment of these injuries and describes potential complications. There is usually an abrupt onset of injury caused by direct trauma from a blow or a fall or indirect injury from forceful contraction of a muscle against a resistance with failure of the muscle and subsequent tearing of muscle fibers. The principles of management include the basic steps in the treatment of all soft-tissue injury: rest, restrict activity, reduce swelling, protect from further Injury, rehabilitate completely, and return to participation.