Internal Bruises and Muscle Spasms Related to Sports Injury

Q: A couple of days ago I played basketball. Now I have a pain in my leg on the left side of the thigh. It feels like a bruise but it’s not visible. Occasionally it feels like a burning sensation. What could this be and what are your suggestions?

By: a male, 21 years old.

Reply:

Deep Bruise

It may be a internal (deep) bruise. Sometimes, bruises are not visible on the surface. They are deeper inside, in the subcutaneous tissue, intramuscular or even on the bone sheath (periosteal). 
Bruises can generally be related to some trauma. May be you hit your thigh at that spot.

A little bleeding in the area is also possible. All this may have triggered some inflammatory response in the area, and that is giving you the burning sensation.

Muscle Spasm

Another probable diagnosis is that you have a spasmodic muscle in the left thigh region. Sometimes, while playing the sport, we tend to overstretch a part of the muscles being used. This leads to a spasmodic condition of the muscle. The patient gets a knotted muscle feel. This condition is quite painful. Such a muscle needs time to relax back.

Over-the-counter muscle relaxants may be put over the area for relief. You have to take rest and give it time. If the pain is too much, a soft sling may be used to immobilize that portion of the leg.

Vitamin Deficiencies

Unexplained muscular pains may sometimes be related to vitamin deficiencies. Our diets are often deficient in vitamins C, D. This is because of inadequate intake of citrus fruits, vegetables and milk in our diet.

You may consider choosing milk fortified with vitamin D. Vitamin C is available over-the-counter in a chewable form. You may buy it and take it daily for 2 weeks.

Take Care,

Buddy M.D.

Medical Advice (Q&As) on “Sports Related Pain Could Be Deep Bruise or Muscle Spasm

  1. Sky blue

    I’m told it’s bicep tendonitis. Just started therapy, left shoulder. No MRI done yet. Now it hurts worse, sharper pain after they had me put arm behind my head and put shoulder down. I’m in lot of pain.

    Reply
    1. Buddy M.D. Post author

      Bicep tendonitis is often associated with tears in the rotator cuff of the shoulder. This may be a reason why you’re getting so much pain.

      Let your doctor know about this. You may have to go for an MRI. Steroid infections into the tendon sheath may be given to alleviate pain.

      Reply

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