This injury usually results from a direct blow to the quadricep muscle such as a knee to the thigh in soccer or a helmet to the thigh in tackle football. These injuries can be severe at times and benefit from early diagnosis and supervised treatment to help speed recovery.
Thigh contusion (deep bruise)
In sports, it is common to experience direct trauma to the quadricep (thigh) muscle. This can happen when hit by a ball, helmet, or another hard object like an opponent’s knee as can happen in soccer and other contact sports.
The thigh muscle is very vascular and when exercising the vascularity is increased even more. As a result, a contusion that damages blood vessels can cause a hematoma, which is a collection of blood at the injury site.
Many individuals after this injury will feel a palpable, tender mass at the site. Sometimes the affected side is weak and has limited ability to bend and straighten especially as the injury severity increases.
A thorough history and physical exam by a sports injury doctor is important after this injury. In addition to Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE), it may be important to wrap the knee in a flexed position and start a prescription medication.
It is important for your sports medicine specialist to work closely with your physical therapist to help rehabilitate the injury and help you get back in the game.
