Dead-legs are common in contact sports where there is sudden direct trauma to the muscle. A dead-leg is a muscle contusion whereby there is a direct disruption and inflammation of the muscle tissue. The degree of a muscle contusion can vary from mild to severe depending on the extent of the blow.
Causes: Muscle contusions are common in sports and occur following a sudden impact from either an opponent or a piece of equipment such as a hockey stick. A direct fall onto an object or to the ground may also lead to a contusion. The incident normally causes a crushing injury to the muscle fibres and local connective tissue without breaking the skin. Muscular contusions occur most frequently within the thigh muscle (quadriceps) and may be known as a ‘cork thigh’ or ‘Charlie-horse’.
Symptoms & Diagnosis: Common symptoms associated with muscular contusions include pain, swelling and restricted range of movement within the muscle. The direct blow that causes local bleeding and swelling within the tissue may sometimes be misdiagnosed as a haematoma or bruise. Contusions are also commonly mistaken for a muscle tear or pulled muscle and therefore the correct diagnosis is crucial to allow for the most appropriate recovery plan. A good subjective history taken by a skilled physiotherapist regarding the mechanism of injury normally excludes other injuries with similar presentations on assessment. Most contusions normally resolve within a few weeks but the more severe injuries may lead to deep muscular tissue damage and associated complications hindering an efficient recovery.
Management: Early physiotherapy will assist with controlling the symptoms and help promote the healing of the contusion to allow an early recovery. The skilled physiotherapist will correctly diagnose the problem and commence with a treatment and rehabilitation plan to allow an early return to sport and other leisure activities. In the more complicated cases, a condition called ‘Myositis Ossificans’ may take effect. This is when the bruised muscle repairs itself and the tissue regenerates into bone cells rather than new muscle cells. It is therefore important that the signs and symptoms of Myositis Ossificans are identified early as the treatment plan and prognosis may differ.
Please feel free to contact the Manchester G4 Clinic to speak to a member of the team for any questions that you may have.