How to Treat a Bone Bruise

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By eHow Contributing Writer

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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.

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Difficulty: Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

Ice cubes
Painkillers containing ibuprofen or acetaminophen

Step 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.
Step 2

Consult your doctor and get an MRI done.
Step 3

Ask your doctor to prescribe medication, and follow the instructions strictly.
Step 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.
Step 5

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

stemenhance said

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on 8/4/2009 I increased my StemEnhance and StemFlo and found that the pain and swelling reduced dramatically....StemCellNutrient.com

wavygravy said

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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 said

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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 said

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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 said

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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