Mechanism: Direct blow to anterior thigh (Football/basketball) or from a ball traveling at a high rate of speed (field hockey/lacrosse).
Exam: focal tenderness and edema. Pain may be severe and worse with active contraction and passive stretch. Hematoma may already be present. Amount of passive knee flexion at 24 hours can be a clue to the severity of the hematoma.
Treatment: Crutches if pain with weight-bearing. Ice. Immobilization in 120 degrees of flexion immediately after the injury for the first 24 hours may be beneficial.
-Bandage entire lower limb. Provide crutches and pain medication. Soft tissue therapy is contraindicated for the first 48 hours and when instituted must be gentle and cause no pain. Risk of re-bleeding is greatest in first 7 to 10 days.
