What is the recommended initial treatment for a leg bruise?

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Multiple Choice

What is the recommended initial treatment for a leg bruise?

Explanation:
Cooling the injured leg right away helps limit swelling and pain. Cold therapy constricts blood vessels, which reduces bleeding under the skin and lessens the inflammatory response, making it the best first step for a bruise. Use an ice pack or cold hose wrapped in a cloth and apply for about 15–20 minutes at a time, several times in the first 24–48 hours. Don’t put ice directly on the skin; a cloth barrier protects against frostbite. Elevate the leg and, if helpful, gently compress with a light bandage, but the priority is the cold treatment. Heat, bandaging alone, or doing nothing don’t address the immediate swelling and pain as effectively, so they aren’t the best first choices.

Cooling the injured leg right away helps limit swelling and pain. Cold therapy constricts blood vessels, which reduces bleeding under the skin and lessens the inflammatory response, making it the best first step for a bruise. Use an ice pack or cold hose wrapped in a cloth and apply for about 15–20 minutes at a time, several times in the first 24–48 hours. Don’t put ice directly on the skin; a cloth barrier protects against frostbite. Elevate the leg and, if helpful, gently compress with a light bandage, but the priority is the cold treatment. Heat, bandaging alone, or doing nothing don’t address the immediate swelling and pain as effectively, so they aren’t the best first choices.

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