Football is a physically grueling sport, in which not suffering an injury throughout the duration of a season is more surprising than coming away hurt. According to the National Center for Sports Safety, of all the sports played in the U.S., only basketball causes more injuries than football. Many of the injuries that occur in football are severe enough to require surgery, however, arm bruises are also a common injury on the football field.
Medical Attention
According to the American Academy of Orthopaedic surgeons, muscle contusions, especially those that happen in contact sports, are typically minor and rarely require you to leave the game. That's not to say that an arm bruise suffered in football can't cause long-term, deep tissue damage. If you have a badly bruised arm from football, make an appointment to see your primary care physician for a full diagnosis. He may be able to diagnose the issue by sight and touch, or you may have to undergo an MRI scan to get a deeper look at the bruise.
Treatment
The AAOS recommends using the R.I.C.E. treatment method for the first 48 hours after the injury occurs. Rest your arm while the bruise remains, which means no playing or practicing. Ice the bruise to reduce swelling for the first 48 hours. During this time, apply the ice for 20 minutes at a time, every 2 to 3 hours. Wrap the arm with an elastic bandage to compress the swelling and provide support to the surrounding muscles and joints. Lastly, elevate the arm to a level above your heart.
Positions
Not all football players are equally at risk for suffering arm bruises. Non-physical positions like kicker, punter and quarterback are rarely hit with full force. Many leagues even enforce rules to prevent these players from being hit at certain angles. Physical positions like linemen, linebackers and running backs are much more likely to suffer arm bruises due to the regular pounding they take. If your position is one of a more physical nature, you will probably be in pain after most games or practices. It's still important however, to keep a regular watch on any painful spots on your arm and rehabilitate them as needed.
Prevention
Depending on your position, preventing your arms from getting bruised in football is nearly as difficult as preventing your body from getting wet in the ocean. There is still a preventative measure you can take to keep your arms from getting too banged up. Many companies make arm pads that extend from the wrist to the upper arm, just below the shoulder pad. These pads can be seen on the arms of various linemen in the professional ranks. Wearing these pads, while not as aesthetically pleasing to the eye as some alternatives, can be the difference in a week-long sore arm and long-term nerve damage.
