What You Need to Know About a Bone Bruise

If you are a nature lover and one who loves the activities surrounding Halloween, we have found the perfect event just for you. On Saturday, October 26^th, 2013 check out ArBOOretum, an annual Halloween event at the Houston Arboretum & Nature Center. Find trick-or-treat locations along forest trails and enjoy a petting zoo, pumpkin decorating and wildlife.

Even during a fun event such as this one, a fall or acute injury can happen at a moment’s notice and result in serious injury. Sometimes injuries happen, and while we feel pain, we can’t see exactly what is going on. This is often the case with a bone bruise. A bone bruise involves several very small fractures in the bone that develop after impact. It is sometimes called a bone contusion or bone swelling. Athletes in high impact sports or martial arts-type activities with a lot of kicking and blocking are also at risk for this type of injury.

Symptoms may vary depending on the severity of the injury, although pain and swelling are the top two that most patients complain of. These symptoms can also be present with tendon damage and muscle bruises, making it important that you have any injury evaluated in the case that there is a more serious reason for your discomfort. An MRI is what is used to confirm the presence of a bone bruise.

A bruised bone can cause quite a bit of pain and take a while to heal. If this injury is confirmed, we may include a variety of treatment options such as rest, elevation, icing, braces and limiting your activities. Patience and the right treatment is the best place to start. Don’t hesitate to contact Dr. Jeff Bowman at Houston FootSpecialists if you have significant pain or swelling after an impact or fall. Make an appointment with our office in Houston, TX by calling (713) 467-8886.