Despite the name making it sound like a simple bruise, a bone bruise is a lot more painful and the pain lasts longer than the giant swelling of a bruise on the skin or in the muscle.

A bone bruise results from intensive and compressive forces directed at a bone during an injury. Damage to the bone occurs in the interior, or medullary, portion and will often be accompanied by edema and swelling.

The knee joint is not immune to sprains, strains and other running-induced injuries. If you have a knee bone bruise following a run, it could signify a problem. Training too hard, twisting motions -- like a sudden turn while running -- and improper stretching technique can all contribute to knee injuries in runners.

Bone bruises are painful and often make daily activities difficult. Bleeding inside a bone -- damage to the bone marrow or the innermost layer of a bone -- may be classified as a bone bruise.

A bruise occurs when capillaries (small blood vessels) break and bleed into the surrounding tissue. According to the National Institutes of Health, a bruise can occur underneath the skin, within the belly of a muscle or within a bone. Most bruises heal on their own; however, a bruise can result in compartment syndrome.