How to Treat a Bone Contusion

A bone contusion, or bruise, appears when a bone is injured but not actually fractured or broken and bleeding occurs under the bone's covering known as the periosteum. Bone contusions usually result from a hard hit or fall to the injured member. These injuries generally hurt a great deal and last about a week to two weeks. However, if you move the injured bone frequently, you may feel the pain for a longer period of time.

Instructions

• 1

  Rest the affected bone. Try to use the injured areas as little as possible and avoid activities that could reinjure the bone.

• 2

  Apply cold compresses to the area to reduce any swelling that may occur in the area.

• 3

  Take an over-the-counter anti-inflammatory pain medications such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

• 4

  Request pain medication from a doctor if the pain is too great to endure.

• 5

  Resist over-using the area that is injured before it has healed.