Common symptoms of a bone bruise and fracture include pain, swelling, and redness.
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Fracture vs.
Bone Bruise
The main difference between a bone fracture and a bone bruise is their severity.
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Bone bruises are far less severe and involve less tissue damage.
They can also be sparked by repetitive stresssuch as repeated jumping or long-distance runningthat creates tiny stress fractures.
There are alsopathologic fracturesthat develop when a disease likeosteoporosisweakens a bone and makes it vulnerable to breakage.
What distinguishes a bone fracture is the amount of tissue that is damaged.
With a bone fracture, the damage is extensive enough to be seen on an X-ray.
Even so, these “micro-cracks” can cause the pooling of blood, known as ahematoma.
There may also be swelling between the bone and the overlyingcartilage.
If the hematoma develops in the periosteum, it is called asubperiosteal hematoma.
Although bone bruises may be less severe than bone fractures, they are no less concerning.
They will then do a physical examination of the area, looking for swelling, bruising, and tenderness.
Imaging tests are especially helpful to differentiate between a fracture and a bone bruise.
An X-ray can reveal a fracture, but an MRI is necessary to identify a bone bruise.
Treatment for Bone Bruise
The treatment for a bone bruise is comparable to treatment for a fracture.
The RICE method is also recommended as the first-line approach.
Depending on the location of the bruise, a splint, functional brace, or cast may be recommended.
Crutches may also be advised.
Most bone bruises heal within four to eight weeks.
Healthcare providers can tell the difference by using X-rays and MRIs.
In most cases, bone bruises and fractures will heal within a month or two with conservative treatment.
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