Hip Contusion
Medically reviewed by Drugs.com. Last updated on Jun 5, 2024.
What is a hip contusion?
A hip contusion is a bruise that appears on the skin of your hip after an injury. A bruise happens when small blood vessels tear but the skin does not. When blood vessels tear, blood leaks into nearby tissue, such as soft tissue or muscle.
What are the signs and symptoms of a hip contusion?
You may not have symptoms for 48 hours after your injury. Then you may have any of the following:
- An area that may be black, blue, red, or darker than the skin around it
- Pain that increases when you touch the bruise or walk
- Swelling or a lump at the site of the bruise or near it
- Stiffness or problems moving the bruised hip
How is a hip contusion diagnosed?
Your healthcare provider may ask about any injuries or bleeding problems you had in the past. Your provider will check the skin over the injured area and touch it to see if it hurts. Your provider may also check for problems you may have when you move your bruised area. You may also need any of the following:
- Blood tests may be used to check for blood disorders or to see how long it takes for your blood to clot.
- Ultrasound pictures may show how deep the bruise is and if you have any other injuries.
- MRI pictures may show if a hematoma (pooling of blood) has started to form. You may be given contrast liquid to help the pictures show up better. Tell the healthcare provider if you have ever had an allergic reaction to contrast liquid. Do not enter the MRI room with anything metal. The MRI machine uses a powerful magnet. Metal can cause serious injury from the magnet. Tell the healthcare provider if you have any metal in or on your body.
How is a hip contusion treated?
A contusion may heal without any treatment. The bruise may become lighter or change to green or yellow as it heals. You may need any of the following if the contusion is severe or does not heal easily:
- Medicine may be needed to treat or prevent pain or swelling.
- Aspiration is a procedure to drain pooled blood in your muscle. This prevents increased pressure in the muscle.
- Surgery may be done to repair a muscle tear or relieve pressure caused by swelling.
How can I manage a hip contusion?
- Rest your injured hip or use it less than usual. You may need to avoid putting any weight on your hip for at least 48 hours. Return to normal activities as directed.
- Apply ice to decrease swelling and pain. Use an ice pack, or put crushed ice in a plastic bag. Cover the bag with a towel and place it on your bruise for 15 to 20 minutes every hour, or as directed.
- Use compression to support the area and decrease swelling. Wrap an elastic bandage around the area over the bruised muscle. Make sure the bandage is not too tight. You should be able to fit 1 finger between the bandage and your skin.
- Elevate (raise) your hip above the level of your heart to help decrease pain and swelling. Use pillows, blankets, or rolled towels to elevate the area as often as you can.
- Do not drink alcohol as directed. Alcohol may slow healing.
- Do not stretch the hip right after your injury. Ask your healthcare provider when and how you may safely stretch after your injury. Gentle stretches can help increase your flexibility.
- Do not massage the area or put heating pads on the bruise right after your injury. Heat and massage may slow healing. Your healthcare provider may tell you to apply heat after several days. At that time, heat will start to help the injury heal.
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What can I do to prevent another hip contusion?
- Stretch and warm up before you play sports or exercise.
- Wear protective gear when you play sports.
- If you begin a new physical activity, start slowly to give your body a chance to adjust.
When should I seek immediate care?
- You have severe pain in your hip.
- You have numbness in your leg or toes.
- You cannot put any weight on or move your hip.
When should I call my doctor?
- Your pain does not decrease, even after treatment.
- You have questions or concerns about your condition or care.
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