Contusions : General Considerations
A contusion refers to an injury which involves the soft tissues of the body. This would include skin, subcutaneous tissue, and muscle. Often seen with a contusion is a "bruise" which is secondary to bleeding within the skin and subcutaneous tissue. Deeper injury can result in muscle contusion with the formation of a hematoma (collection of blood in the muscle). Contusions result from falls with impact, after being struck with an object, or after physical blows.
Contusions are often confused with bone fractures (breaks) due to the similarity in their superficial appearance. Evaluation often requires bone x-rays to exclude the possibility of associated fracture. Extremity contusions will generally cause pain only at the site of the injury but, occasionally, can cause pain with weight bearing on the injured extremity (seen typically with fractures).
Treatment involves rest, elevation, and cold compresses for at least 24 hours. The bruise will initially take on a bluish discoloration, changing to a yellowish color, and eventually resolve over 1-2 weeks. See your physician IMMEDIATELY for any suspected bone fracture
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