Upper Extremity Bruise

Home care

• Unless another medicine was prescribed, you can take acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen to control pain. Talk with your health care provider before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease or ever had a stomach ulcer or digestive bleeding.

• Raise the injured area to reduce pain and swelling. As much as possible, sit or lie down with the injured area raised about the level of your heart. This is especially important during the first 48 hours.

• Ice the injured area to help reduce pain and swelling. To make an ice pack, put ice cubes in a plastic bag that seals at the top. Wrap the bag in a thin towel. Don't put ice directly on the skin. Apply to the bruised area for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours the first day. Continue this 3 to 4 times a day until the pain and swelling goes away.

• If a sling was provided, you may remove it to shower or bathe. To prevent joint stiffness, don't wear it for more than 1 week. Also, make sure your hand is slightly above the level of the elbow in the sling to prevent your hand from becoming swollen and discolored by gravity.

Follow-up care

Follow up with your health care provider, or as advised. Call if you're not improving in the next 1 to 2 weeks.

When to get medical advice 

Call your health care provider right away if you have:

• Increased pain or swelling.

• Cold, blue, numb, or tingly fingers or hand.

• Signs of infection. These include warmth, drainage, or increased redness or pain around the injury.

• Inability to move the injured body part, the hand, or individual fingers.

• Frequent bruising for unknown reasons.