Very low urgency
Common-
A direct blow of low to medium intensity to one or both legs, causing severe pain that increases with walking, bruising and swelling.
It is usually caused by a fall or a direct blow with a hard, blunt object. The most common causes are trauma from contact sports, other sports, work accidents and domestic accidents.
It presents with severe pain that may increase with walking, making movement difficult. It may be associated with haematoma and swelling.
Diagnosis is based on clinical history and examination of the leg.
Treatment aims to relieve the pain with the usual analgesics. Indirect local cold may be applied at the time of impact to reduce inflammation and pain.
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- Miller M. Quadriceps contusions and myositis ossificans. In: DeLee & Drez’s Orthopaedic Sports Medicine: Principles and Practices, 3rd ed, DeLee JC, Drez D, Miller MD (Eds), Saunders, Philadelphia 2009. Vol 2, p.1481.
- Kary JM. Diagnosis and management of quadriceps strains and contusions. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med 2010; 3:26.
Dr. Sara Vitoria
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