Bone bruise: How long before it heals?

My mother fell recently and her doctor says she has a bone bruise. How long does it take to heal?

- Helen / Florida

Answer

A bone bruise can take from several days to a few weeks to heal, depending on the location.

A bone bruise results from a significant "bump" (trauma) to the bone, such as due to a fall, which causes bruising of the outer covering of the bone (periosteum). In addition, the bone itself is injured but not to the point of fracture. Common signs and symptoms of a bone bruise are pain and swelling and sometimes a blackish-blue discoloration around the site of the bruise. Treatment may include:

• Icing the bruised area
• Rest
• Over-the-counter pain relievers