As the weather gets colder it brings about the start of the contact sporting season, especially football and rugby. A common injury we see in our clinic this time of year is a muscle contusion, or corky. This is usually the result of a direct impact to a muscle by an object or another person. With the impact to the muscle there is temporary damage to the blood vessels and muscle tissue, resulting in local bleeding and swelling.
Most cases you will see visible bruising as the body starts the healing process, however in some cases there may not be visible bruising as the injury occurs in the deeper layers of muscles. Most muscle contusions are relatively minor and do not limit participation in sport for very long. Sometimes the injury can be more severe and cause other symptoms such as numbness, tingling sensations, or high levels of pain, and can spread to other areas of the body.
Treatment of a muscle contusion should start immediately and involves avoiding use of the limb, ice packs and compression to help prevent further swelling, and elevating the limb. It is important to see a physiotherapist to assess the area and provide further treatment techniques such as massage, dry needling, taping and gentle movements. By seeking early treatment from a physiotherapist, we can help to decrease pain, improve function of the limb, and get you back to sport when able. If you think you may have a muscle contusion, call the clinic on 8269 3800 and book in for an assessment with our physiotherapists so they can help you get back to sport.