How Long Does Internal Bruising Take To Heal?

Posted on Fri, 3 Oct 2014

Medically reviewed by Ask A Doctor - 24x7 Medical Review Team

Fri, 3 Oct 2014 Answered on

Mon, 27 Oct 2014 Last reviewed on

Question : I am 72 and in very good health. On Wednesday I fell on a hard surface on my left side. After X-rays showed no fractured hip the ER doctor told me I had internal bruising (I couldn't put weight on my left side). I was told to use a heating pad and Motrin. The pain is getting worse. Is this normal? Will it get worse before it gets better and how long does it take for bruising to go away?

Answered by Dr. Dr. Naveen Kumar Sharma (13 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
heating pad is not correct

Detailed Answer:
Hello,

I have studied your case and I think ER doctor is right in thinking that internal bruising has caused pain inside the thigh. I would forbid you about using heat pad as it can increase pain.

I would recommend you the following.
1.Use ice on hip joint.
2.Take Brufen or ultracet for pain relief.
3.Voletran ointment local application
4. Avoid walking, squatting , stairs for long time.

These injuries can take up to three weeks in complete relief. If there is increase in pain even after three week you need to get MRI to see if there is labral tear or cartilage damage.

I hope this answer will be useful for you. Let me know if there is any other follow up questions.
thanks.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Vaishalee Punj