What indicates the effectiveness of heat application for a severe left ankle contusion?

The effectiveness of heat application for a severe left ankle contusion is indicated by the reabsorption of blood noted at the injured site. Heat therapy promotes vasodilation, which increases blood flow and facilitates the removal of metabolic waste products, including the reabsorption of pooled blood or hematomas that can accumulate due to the injury. This process aids in reducing the overall healing time and restoring the tissue back to normal.

In contrast, an increase in swelling around the site would suggest that the application of heat may not be effectively managing inflammation and that there might still be ongoing bleeding or fluid accumulation. Similarly, while reduction in pain and improved range of motion are positive signs of recovery, they do not specifically confirm the direct impact of heat on the reabsorption of blood. Thus, the most indicative sign of the effectiveness of heat application in this scenario is indeed the reabsorption of blood at the injured site.