From the Guidelines
To help a pediatric bone bruise heal, it is crucial to focus on a diet rich in calcium and vitamin D, as these nutrients are essential for bone health, as recommended by the 2019 EULAR points to consider for preventing and managing fragility fractures 1. When considering the best approach to support healing, it's essential to prioritize a balanced diet that includes:
- Calcium-rich foods like milk, yogurt, cheese, and fortified plant milks, aiming for age-appropriate daily calcium intake (700-1300mg depending on age)
- Vitamin D-rich foods like fatty fish, egg yolks, and fortified dairy products, and considering a supplement of 600-1000 IU daily if dietary intake is insufficient, taking into account the individual's risk/benefit profile for vitamin D supplementation 1
- Protein from lean meats, eggs, dairy, beans, and nuts to support tissue repair
- Foods high in vitamin C (citrus fruits, berries, bell peppers) and zinc (meat, shellfish, seeds) to promote collagen formation and immune function
- Anti-inflammatory foods like fatty fish, berries, and leafy greens to help reduce inflammation It's also vital to ensure your child stays well-hydrated with water and clear fluids. While these nutritional approaches support healing, they complement rather than replace medical care - it's essential to follow your pediatrician's guidance regarding rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol) and pain management. Most bone bruises heal within weeks to months with proper care and nutrition, and prioritizing a balanced diet that includes calcium and vitamin D-rich foods can help support this process, as suggested by the most recent and highest quality study available 1.
From the Research
Foods and Supplements for Pediatric Bone Bruise Healing
There are no direct research papers on foods and supplements to help pediatric bone bruise heal. However, some studies suggest that certain nutrients may be beneficial for bone health:
- Omega-3 fatty acids, particularly EPA and DHA, have been linked to healthy aging and may have benefits for skeletal health 2, 3
- A systematic review of omega-3 fatty acids and osteoporosis found that some studies reported favorable effects of omega-3 fatty acids on bone mineral density and bone turnover markers, particularly when combined with high calcium foods or supplements 2
Bone Bruise Patterns and Healing in Pediatric Patients
Studies on bone bruise patterns and healing in pediatric patients with anterior cruciate ligament (ACL) tears may provide some indirect insights:
- A study on the classification of bone bruises in pediatric patients with ACL injuries found that the majority of bone bruises occurred in the lateral compartment, and the prevalence of collateral ligament injuries increased with the grade of bone bruise 4
- Another study investigated the bone bruise patterns in pediatric patients with contact and noncontact acute ACL tears, and found that patients with contact ACL tears were more likely to have centrally located medial femoral condyle bone bruises 5
- A case series of pediatric patients with uncomplicated bone bruises found that the majority of bone bruises occurred as a result of noncontact mechanisms, and the only factor related to time to recovery was the mechanism of injury 6