The Back Pain Doctor
A muscle contusion happens when a direct blow, or repeated blows, from a blunt object crushes muscle fibres and connective tissue without breaking the skin. Small blood vessels tear and bleed into the muscle, producing swelling, pain, stiffness and the familiar discolouration at the surface. Sometimes the blood pools into a discrete haematoma, felt as a lump. Contusions are among the most common injuries in contact sport, and also occur from falls or jamming a limb against a hard surface.
Assessment focuses on the location and depth of the injury and on what else may have been damaged — a fracture, dislocation, sprain or muscle tear can accompany a significant blow. Most limb contusions are diagnosed clinically without imaging. A blow to the chest or abdomen is a different matter and needs prompt assessment for internal organ injury. A lower threshold for review applies to people taking anticoagulants, to older people after a fall, and to anyone bruising unusually easily.
First-line care is relative rest, ice, light compression and elevation for the first day or two, with the muscle held in gentle stretch, plus simple analgesia. Massage is avoided. Gentle stretching begins early to preserve flexibility, followed by graded weight-bearing and strengthening as pain settles. Most people recover well; a large haematoma that has not resolved after several days may need draining. Persistent pain, a firm enlarging lump, or severe pain with numbness or circulatory changes should be reviewed promptly.
The options below include the treatments offered at The Back Pain Doctor. Listing a treatment does not mean it is recommended for this condition. The evidence, likely benefit and role of each option are considered against the diagnosis, examination findings, imaging where appropriate, patient goals, risks, cost and alternatives.
This is the starting point for most musculoskeletal conditions.
The priority is to identify the likely pain generator, explain the condition clearly, modify aggravating load and build a realistic plan to restore strength, movement and confidence.
Evidence is condition-specific; it is not a universal pain treatment.
Shockwave is best framed as an adjunct where the diagnosis fits. It is generally more established for selected tendon and plantar heel pain presentations than for many joint or nerve conditions.
Read moreEvidence varies substantially by condition, tissue and preparation method.
PRP may be discussed in selected tendon or joint presentations. It should not be presented as a guaranteed regenerative treatment, and uncertainty, cost and alternatives should be discussed.
Read moreBest used for specific inflammatory or irritable pain generators, usually for short-term relief.
An injection may help when a joint, bursa, tendon sheath or other defined structure is driving symptoms. It is not a cure and needs to be weighed against risks, recurrence and the need for rehabilitation.
Read moreClinical evidence is still developing and guideline support is limited.
EMTT may be discussed as an adjunct in selected presentations, but should be presented with clear uncertainty and never as a replacement for diagnosis, load management or rehabilitation.
Read moreEvidence is condition-specific and generally less established than exercise-based care.
Prolotherapy may be considered in carefully selected chronic ligament, tendon or joint-related pain presentations, but it is not a first-line treatment.
Read moreMost relevant when focal myofascial pain is a clear contributor.
Trigger point treatment may reduce pain from focal muscle spasm or myofascial tenderness. It should be paired with movement restoration, strength work and recurrence prevention.
Read moreRelevant only when the history and examination support nerve irritation or entrapment.
Nerve-focused treatment may be discussed when there is a plausible peripheral nerve pain generator. Progressive weakness, major neurological deficit or red flags require a different pathway.
Read moreThis is general information only. Suitability is assessed individually. Treatments with limited or condition-dependent evidence may still be discussed, but only with clear explanation of uncertainty, expected benefit, risks, cost and alternatives. Red flags, progressive neurological symptoms or suspected serious pathology require a different pathway.
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Your assessment focuses on understanding the likely source of your pain and the most appropriate non-surgical options for your diagnosis, with the aim of reducing pain and improving function.
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