Foot Contusion Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

A foot contusion, or foot bruise, is a mild sports injury that can occur due to a direct impact injury to the foot. When a bruise or contusion occurs, the small blood vessels get damaged, and blood leaks out under the skin, causing the typical foot swelling and bruising seen in these injuries.

While a foot bruise is uncomfortable and may temporarily make it difficult to walk or use your foot normally, it’s an injury that typically resolves quickly.

A foot contusion usually results from having your foot stepped on or from a direct blow, possibly from dropping a heavy object on the foot. Any blunt trauma with sufficient force to propel its energy into the muscle can cause a contusion. This can also be considered a form of soft tissue foot trauma. Contusions are often the result of sports-related injuries. Foot  contusions are common in these sports:

• Football
• Rugby
• Lacrosse
• Soccer
• Basketball

If you have a Foot Contusion, you may have these symptoms:

• Pain in the foot
• Ecchymoses, or ‘black and blue’ bruising and/or redness.
• Foot swelling
• Difficulty with weight bearing

If you have a foot bruise, you can usually put some pressure on your foot and move it, but with some discomfort.

Although a foot contusion doesn’t usually require medical treatment, you may need to see your doctor to ensure you don’t have a more serious injury. Make an appointment if you injure your foot and have swelling and pain that gets worse instead of better, have a lot of bruising or foot swelling,  or have trouble weight bearing. Your doctor will ask about your injury and symptoms and examine your foot. To rule out another injury, condition like a fracture, or more severe soft tissue foot trauma, your doctor may order an X-ray or MRI to better look at your foot’s bones and soft tissues.

Foot  contusions are always treated nonoperatively. Conservative treatments include:

• Elevating the foot and ankle
• Crutches may be needed for s short period of time but often are not needed
• Using a splint or walking boot- Usually a walking boot is a better option
• Rest, including taking a break from play
• Icing your foot (every one to two hours for 20 minutes) – The general recommendation is to avoid heat during the first 24-48 hours to avoid increasing the extent of bleeding and swelling.
• Over-the-counter pain medication, like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, if needed
• Severe contusions are often treated by a Physical Therapist or an Athletic Trainer. They are often the best people to advise you on when it is safe to return to your sport. Most contusions or foot bruises will not require physical therapy

After a foot  contusion, you may be able to restart normal activities after just a few days, though more severe contusions may require several weeks of resting your foot. You should start stretching exercises within a few days of your injury and progress to strengthening and weight-bearing  exercises, under the guidance of your doctor or physical therapist. You can return to play once you’ve regained your full range of motion and strength of your ankle and foot.