Definition
Contusions (bruises) are soft tissue injuries that can result from any kind of blunt force against the body. In a motor vehicle, it can happen when a part of the body strikes any appendage of the car including the steering wheel, window, or frame. Discoloration at the injured site usually occurs from the rupture of tiny vessels that collect under the skin. The typical symptoms of a contusion include swelling, visible discoloration, limited joint range of motion, and mild to severe pain. |
Contusions (Bruises)
Most contusions are simple bruises that change various colors and fade away as the body metabolizes (breaks down) the blood vessels in the skin. Sometimes, however, a pool of blood can collect within the damaged tissue, leading to a lump of small to large size over the injured area that is medically referred to as a hematoma. If the impact led to severe tissue injury, bleeding and swelling beneath the injury can lead to shock.
While most contusions are limited to the skin, a minority of contusions can affect other parts of the body. A bone contusion, an extremely painful form of contusion that occurs when constant pressure is applied to a part of the bone, is usually followed by bleeding and swelling. Bone contusions are usually extremely painful and can last from weeks to months. If the impact was especially severe, internal contusions can occur to the abdomen and heart muscle (myocardial contusion) that can be extremely dangerous and lead to internal organ damage. Myocardial contusions are normally diagnosed through the use of electrocardiograms (ECG). |
