Abdominal Injury : Contusion
An abdominal contusion is a soft tissue injury to the abdominal wall (muscles), without significant internal injury. Any direct force applied to the abdomen (fist, foot or seatbelt) can result in this condition. As with other contusions, bleeding occurs to a small degree in the soft tissue and muscles. This may later manifest as a "bruise", resulting in pain or tenderness to that area. This type of injury can easily be mistaken for a more serious abdominal injury by the patient.
Common symptoms of abdominal wall contusions include pain that is increased when sitting up, tightening of the abdominal muscles, or straight leg raises.
Treatment of abdominal wall contusions includes the application of ice, with rest. Analgesics such as acetaminophen or anti-inflammatories (ibuprofen) can help reduce pain. Recovery for most abdominal wall contusions is rapid.
| 
