Hand Contusion Treatment Specialist in Houston, TX

While contusions are typically considered to be fairly minor injuries, there are many cases in which the condition is severe and requires medical attention. Some indications that your contusion may be a bit more severe and could benefit from or require medical attention include:

• Any numbness, tingling, or weakness within the injured area, particularly if there is a loss of function
• If there is swelling developing around the bruise
• If the pain continues to worsen after several days
• If the affected area becomes pale or cold
• If symptoms of infection develop such as swelling, warmth, redness, or red streaks forming outward from the area

As with all injuries, if your contusion does not seem to be gradually healing, continuing to worsen in appearance and discomfort, it is highly recommended that you seek medical attention to ensure that you can receive sufficient treatment and prevent any long-term damage.

The majority of hand contusions that are considered to be fairly mild will heal completely within a few days, with moderate cases taking closer to 2 to 4 weeks, whereas the severe cases can take quite a bit longer to fully heal, sometimes taking up to 2 months before the contusion is entirely healed. These more severe cases sometimes require medical attention in order to heal as they are unable to heal on their own, so if the symptoms do not seem to be getting any better or are in fact worsening or are causing substantial discomfort, it is highly recommended that you seek medical attention to ensure that any damage can be repaired and that discomfort can be minimized as quickly and effectively as possible.

There are quite a few at-home tips that will be the most effective treatment for a hand contusion that is mild or moderate, including the application of a cold compress for 10 to 20 minutes at a time, keeping the affected hand elevated for at least 3 days following the injury (to help reduce swelling), and taking over-the-counter medications to help manage pain and inflammation. When visiting a physician to treat your hand contusion, they may choose to prescribe you pain medications if the over-the-counter options are not sufficient and can recommend more specific instructions for at-home treatment if the symptoms are proving to be increasingly difficult to manage. Regardless of the degree of the injury, it is very important that while your hand contusion is healing you keep a close eye on how it is healing, particularly if there are changes in color, sensations, swelling, and size. It is very important that the hand is able to rest and not be used wherever possible, with many patients choosing to wrap up the injured hand with a bandage to further prevent any unnecessary movement.

There are several common signs and symptoms that you have suffered from a contusion that can include both painful sensations and visible indications. It is very common to experience limited mobility and range in the joint that is located nearest to the injury, often making the surrounding muscles feel weak or stiff. The injured area will likely become swollen, red, and painful, sometimes forming a lump over the injury due to increased blood collecting in the damaged tissue, as well as bluish discoloration if there are torn blood vessels due to the injury. The injured area will likely feel tender to the touch while it heals. Contusions are typically diagnosed just through a physical examination from a health care provider and sometimes include diagnostic imaging tests such as an X-ray to rule out any other potential concerns. For more information, contact us today or schedule an appointment online. We are conveniently located at 1200 Binz St #100, Houston, TX 77004. We serve patients from Houston TX, Midtown TX, Montrose TX, MacGregor TX, South Central Houston TX, Old Braeswood TX, and surrounding areas.