A bruised knee can be caused by impact or stress and can result in discoloration, swelling, and tenderness. Subcutaneous bruising is mild and temporary, while periosteal and intramuscular bruising is more painful and may result from serious trauma. Seek medical attention for severe injuries. Ice can help reduce swelling and pain, but avoid aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs without a doctor’s prescription.
A bruised knee can be painful, and since this condition is typically the result of some type of stress or injury, it can occur with or without further injury to the knee. Sometimes referred to as a patellar contusion, it is the result of damaged blood vessels under the skin’s surface and bleeding. The signs of a bruise can range from discoloration on the skin’s surface to swelling and tenderness to the touch.
Normally, bruising that occurs from minor bumps or impact trauma is called a subcutaneous bruise and is characterized by mild to moderate discoloration of the area and possibly mild pain or tenderness to the touch. This type of bruising is usually acute or temporary and should heal on its own and disappear within a few days. An injury like this that results from a minor impact may hurt briefly, but is not normally a cause for alarm.
A periosteal and intramuscular bruise is typically more painful than a subcutaneous bruise and is the result of an impact or more serious trauma, such as might occur with a sports injury. A bruise that occurs to the bone is called a periosteal bruise, while an intramuscular bruise is a bruise of the muscles. A bruised knee can result in one or both types of bruising, and while the telltale discoloration may be present, pain, swelling, and discomfort when moving and touching the knee are also a sign of injury.
Sometimes, a bruise on the knee is a secondary symptom of a more serious injury. Bruising during dislocation and even fracture of the patella or patella may occur. Such a severe injury would normally be evident by marked pain, discomfort and swelling. You should seek treatment for any painful knee injury and should not put stress on the injured joint until a doctor has diagnosed the injury and provided treatment and recovery instructions.
It is possible for other forms of stress besides impact or injury to cause a bruised knee. Stress can be placed on the knees by excess weight and previous knee injuries are susceptible to bruising, especially during the healing process. Regardless of the cause, the signs are usually present in the form of pain, tenderness, swelling, and discoloration. Ice is a good form of early treatment to reduce swelling and temporarily relieve pain. Individuals should avoid taking aspirin or anti-inflammatory drugs unless prescribed by a doctor as they can increase blood flow. Knee injuries that cause pain with motion or immobility should be evaluated by a healthcare professional as soon as possible.
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