You have a bruise (contusion) on your back. There is swelling and some bleeding under the skin. The skin may be a purple color. You may have muscle aching and stiffness in the area of the bruise. There are no broken bones.
Bruises heal on their own, without further treatment. But pain and skin discoloration may take weeks or months to go away.
Home care
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Rest. Don't do any heavy lifting, strenuous exercise, or any activity that causes pain.
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Ice the area to 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 clean, thin towel. Don't put ice or an ice pack directly on your skin. Ice the injured area for 20 minutes every 1 to 2 hours while you're awake for the first day. Keep using ice packs 3 to 4 times a day for the next 2 days. Then use as needed to ease pain and swelling.
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Take any prescribed pain medicine. If none was prescribed, you may use over-the-counter pain medicine to control pain, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen, unless you have health conditions that prevent taking these medicines. Talk with your doctor before using these medicines if you have chronic liver or kidney disease, ever had a stomach ulcer or gastrointestinal bleeding, or take a blood thinner. If you are unsure about medicines, ask your doctor before you leave the hospital.
Follow-up care
Follow up with your doctor, or as advised. Call if you are not better in 1 to 2 weeks.
When to get medical care
Contact your doctor if you have:
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New pain or pain that gets worse.
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Increased swelling around the bruise.
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Pain spreading to one or both legs.
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Blood in your pee (urine).
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A fever of 100.4°F (38ºC) or higher, or as advised by your doctor.
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Chills.
Call 911
Call
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New weakness or numbness in one or both legs.
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Loss of bowel or bladder control.
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Numbness in the groin or genital area.
Online Medical Reviewer: Ronald Karlin MD
Online Medical Reviewer: Stacey Wojcik MBA BSN RN
Date Last Reviewed: 05/01/2025
© 2000-2026 The StayWell Company, LLC. All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Always follow your healthcare professional's instructions.
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