How to Treat a Bone Bruise

A bone bruise is an injury to a bone caused by a sudden jerk or fall, which harms the bone but does not fracture it. Bone bruises are visible in high-density MRI (Magnetic Resonance Imaging), but not simple X-rays. Depending on their severity, bone bruises can take months to heal. You need to treat a bone bruise with proper care and patience.

Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Ice cubes
• Painkillers containing ibuprofen or acetaminophen

1. Recognize the symptoms of a bone bruise. Common symptoms are severe pain and swelling. Sometimes a blackish-blue discoloration around the affected area may be visible.

2. Consult your doctor and get an MRI done.

3. Ask your doctor to prescribe medication, and follow the instructions strictly.

4. Rub ice cubes on the affected area for 5 to 10 minutes three times a day. This will help reduce swelling and promote healing.

5. Take over-the-counter painkillers containing ibuprofen or acetaminophen to reduce pain.

6. Be patient. Bone bruises can take a few months to heal.

Tips & Warnings

• Adequate rest will help you heal faster. Too much movement will increase pain and swelling.

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[wavygravy]

on 1/20/2009 Steps 3 and 5 contradict each other and step 2 seems completely unnecessary unless it is recommended only as a precaution. Why ask the doctor for prescription meds if you are just going to take OTC pain killers?????? I would recommend moving step 2 to the end if and only if it does not improve after a couple weeks. Eliminate step 3 all together, because if there is something more than just a bone bruise, then the rest of the instructions are moot. This is a case of everything that is wrong with this country's health care system. Run to the doctor, even if common sense says there is not a thing that he/she can do!

[touch]

on 9/10/2008 I agree with Kim Burnham. Bone bruise technique will speed the healing process. It is not invasive and is safe. i have been a Rn and medical massage therapist and use this technique with my patients with outstsanding results.

[PamelaA]

on 5/8/2008 Calcium is known to be a natural pain killer and also good for bones. Would a suppliment with Vit D help?

[KimBurnham]

on 11/24/2007 Integrative Manual Therapists treat bone bruises with a manual therapy approach call The Bone Bruise Technique as well as contacting reflex points and motilities that encourage and speed up bone healing. See www.TheBurnhamReview.com and www,CenterIMT.com