Thigh Contusion
What is a thigh contusion?
A thigh contusion is a bruise of the upper leg that involves the muscle and tissue. Most contusions can heal quickly with at-home treatment, however some may be too severe. A thigh contusion typically develops from a direct force to the thigh, causing a hematoma, or pooling of blood, in your quadriceps muscle group.
Symptoms
- Bruising
- Difficulty bending your knee or flexing your hip
- Pain with walking
- Swelling
- Tenderness
- Throbbing feeling in the thigh
When to see a doctor
Consider seeing a doctor when:
- there is difficulty putting weight on the injured leg
- there is an inability to bend the knee beyond 90 degrees
- there is rapid or severe swelling
Prevention
- Wearing proper (fitted and not worn out) thigh pads in games and practice
- Perform stretches before and after games and practices
- Forward lunge
- Side lunge
- Standing quadriceps stretch
- Seat straddle lotus
- Side seat straddle
Recovery
- RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation)
- NSAIDs (like ibuprofen)