According to MedlinePlus, a service of the National Library of Medicine and the National Institutes of Health, a bruise occurs when small blood vessels are damaged and break open or leak blood. Specifically, a bone bruise involves damage to the blood vessels in bone. A bone bruise can last for months, but most fade within a few weeks. A doctor may take an X-ray to determine the extent of the bruise and to assess for further bone damage. Bruises are usually treated conservatively.
Elevation
According to MayoClinic.com, the first step in treating a bone bruise is to elevate the affected bone above the heart. This will help treat a bone bruise, because gravity will reduce the amount of fluid that can accumulate in the affected bone as a result of a bone bruise. As fluid is reduced, the body becomes more efficient in healing the damaged bone. Thus, a patient should elevate the affected bone as often as possible throughout the day.
Ice Therapy
Applying an ice pack or a pack of frozen vegetables to the injured bone can reduce pain, inflammation and swelling in the affected bone, states MayoClinic.com. A patient should apply an ice pack to the affected bone for 20 minutes, then remove the ice pack for 20 minutes. Repeat the treatment as often as possible throughout the day. Furthermore, an ice pack should not be placed directly on the skin to avoid frostbite.
Rest
Staying off the affected bone can allow the bone to heal, states MayoClinic.com. Frequent stress with walking or with movement of the affected bone can slow the healing process, because stress may continually damage broken blood vessels that are trying to heal. Thus, a doctor may recommend that a patient use crutches or another assistive walking device until the bone heals. Furthermore, a patient should limit physical activity that involves the affected bone.
Medications
Over-the-counter pain-relieving medications may be used to treat a bone bruise. Specifically, nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be taken to reduce pain and inflammation associated with a bone bruise. These medications alter chemical signals related to pain and inflammation, which will allow the bone to heal. Although fairly safe, NSAIDs may cause stomach, heart, liver or kidney problems. Thus, patients with conditions that affect these organs should ask their doctors about taking NSAIDs. Furthermore, healthy patients should seek immediate medical attention if they have bloody vomit, bloody stools, clay-colored stools, stomach pain, heart problems or dark urine.
