Dealing with "corked" muscles
A “corkie” or muscle contusion as it is more formally known, is a common injury we see presenting to us at The Physio Nook, especially from contact sports such as football, basketball and soccer. Contusions occur when a direct blow from a blunt object (often an opponent’s knee) strikes part of the body. Underlying muscle fibres and connective tissue are crushed without breaking the skin, leading to a local accumulation of blood known as a haematoma.
Common Symptoms:
- Swelling and bruising over the contacted area;
- Pain and stiffness with movement of the affected muscle;
- Decreased range of movement of affected joints (eg: the knee with a thigh contusion);
- Tenderness to palpation;
- Muscle weakness due to pain.
Acute Management:
It is vital that treatment of a muscle contusion starts immediately following the injury, to give the person the best chance of a quicker and full recovery. The most important time is then the first 48 hours post-injury, as with most soft tissue injuries.
Management consists of:
- Immediately stopping activity/sport;
- Ice for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours;
- Avoid any heat, alcohol, exercise and massage for that first 48 hours;
- Rest!
- Firm compression bandaging of the affected muscle;
- Elevate the affected limb as much as is practical/possible.
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation:
Physiotherapy treatment will depend on the severity of the contusion, and the success rate is highly dependent on patient compliance. If none of the above strategies are followed, we will have a lot more trouble getting this person back on the field quickly!
Following the acute 48 hour stage, we can employ a range of techniques for these injuries. Soft tissue therapy and electrotherapy modalities are extremely helpful for promoting optimal healing conditions and reducing scar adhesions within the affected muscle. A stretching program for the entire affected limb is also prescribed early on to restore full pain free joint motion and muscle flexibility. Strengthening exercises for the injured muscle will then commence as pain allows, followed by a more rigorous speed, agility and power program in order to get the person prepared for a return to their chosen sport, and maximise their function towards their pre-injury state.
Most importantly, if the acute management is followed closely, then for anything more than a very mild contusion, early physiotherapy intervention is taken, we can avoid unnecessary complications and lingering issues from these otherwise quite straightforward injuries.
I hope this summary will help you or someone you know. As always, we are here at The Physio Nook to help out with any musculoskeletal disorders you may have, “corkies” or otherwise! Feel free to call us, email, or drop in for a great service.
Paul Woodward
Principal Physiotherapist
The Physio Nook.
- Swelling and bruising over the contacted area;
- Pain and stiffness with movement of the affected muscle;
- Decreased range of movement of affected joints (eg: the knee with a thigh contusion);
- Tenderness to palpation;
- Muscle weakness due to pain.
Acute Management:
It is vital that treatment of a muscle contusion starts immediately following the injury, to give the person the best chance of a quicker and full recovery. The most important time is then the first 48 hours post-injury, as with most soft tissue injuries.
Management consists of:
- Immediately stopping activity/sport;
- Ice for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours;
- Avoid any heat, alcohol, exercise and massage for that first 48 hours;
- Rest!
- Firm compression bandaging of the affected muscle;
- Elevate the affected limb as much as is practical/possible.
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation:
Physiotherapy treatment will depend on the severity of the contusion, and the success rate is highly dependent on patient compliance. If none of the above strategies are followed, we will have a lot more trouble getting this person back on the field quickly!
Following the acute 48 hour stage, we can employ a range of techniques for these injuries. Soft tissue therapy and electrotherapy modalities are extremely helpful for promoting optimal healing conditions and reducing scar adhesions within the affected muscle. A stretching program for the entire affected limb is also prescribed early on to restore full pain free joint motion and muscle flexibility. Strengthening exercises for the injured muscle will then commence as pain allows, followed by a more rigorous speed, agility and power program in order to get the person prepared for a return to their chosen sport, and maximise their function towards their pre-injury state.
Most importantly, if the acute management is followed closely, then for anything more than a very mild contusion, early physiotherapy intervention is taken, we can avoid unnecessary complications and lingering issues from these otherwise quite straightforward injuries.
I hope this summary will help you or someone you know. As always, we are here at The Physio Nook to help out with any musculoskeletal disorders you may have, “corkies” or otherwise! Feel free to call us, email, or drop in for a great service.
Paul Woodward
Principal Physiotherapist
The Physio Nook.