Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsMeaningSymptomsHealingSeeking Medical Care
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Meaning
Symptoms
Healing
Seeking Medical Care
The term “hematoma” is often used interchangeably with “contusion,” but it is different and more severe.
This article discusses contusions, what body parts they can affect, and explains how hematomas differ from contusions.
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Contusion: Meaning of Injury
A contusion often occurs after an injury.If the injury breaks capillaries, the blood leaks from the broken capillaries and can be trapped near the injury location under the surface of the skin or in deeper tissues near bones or internal organs, resulting in discoloration associated with bruises.
Certain people are more prone to bruising than others, including:
Contusion or Hematoma?A contusion is caused when blood leaks from small blood vessels (capillaries).A hematoma occurs when a larger blood vessel, or group of blood vessels, is damaged and leaks more blood than the capillaries.
Contusion or Hematoma?
A contusion is caused when blood leaks from small blood vessels (capillaries).A hematoma occurs when a larger blood vessel, or group of blood vessels, is damaged and leaks more blood than the capillaries.
What Causes Random Bruising?
Muscle vs. Bone Contusion
Contusions mainly occur due to an injury, such as a fall.Muscle contusions are often seen closer to the skin’s surface and cause the black-and-blue discoloration often associated with bruising.
Contusions can occur in deeper tissues near bone or internal organs, too. Bone contusions often happen as a result of direct trauma to the bone, such as your shin hitting a table.Contusions that occur closer to the bone may not produce any skin discoloration.
Bone contusions may or may not be associated with a fracture.They are often identified within the first couple of days after injury and can last for several months,
Symptoms: How Does a Contusion Feel?
Depending on the location, contusions may or may not hurt.The swelling associated with a contusion can cause a feeling of discomfort or pressure instead of pain, too. Often, over-the-counter pain relievers, likeTylenol(acetaminophen), can help alleviate discomfort or pain.
Healing From a Contusion
The body will naturally break down the leaked blood that causes a contusion.The tissues near the bruise absorb some of the capillaries' leaked blood, and the immune system also assists with contusion healing. The healing process can take several days to several weeks or months.
In the initial 24 to 48 hours of a contusion (the acute phase), the following may help with healing and managing any discomfort:
Is Treatment Needed?
Most of the time, a contusion is not dangerous and does not require treatment. However, there are some circumstances for which it is recommended to see a qualified healthcare provider for further evaluation. Seek medical attention if you experience one or more of the following:
A healthcare provider will likely perform a thorough physical examination and order laboratory testing to ensure your contusions are not a sign of a medical condition that requires additional treatment.
Unexplained ContusionsWhile a contusion is generally not dangerous, there are medical conditions that can causeunexplained contusions, such as:Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a type of bleeding disorder n which the blood does not properly clot. People with hemophilia can often develop contusions without any known injuries.Certain cancers: Blood cancers, like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, can cause unexplained contusions.Thrombocytopenia:Platelets are important to the clotting function in the blood. Thrombocytopenia is a condition where platelet levels are below normal levels. This condition can cause unexplained contusions to develop.
Unexplained Contusions
While a contusion is generally not dangerous, there are medical conditions that can causeunexplained contusions, such as:Hemophilia: Hemophilia is a type of bleeding disorder n which the blood does not properly clot. People with hemophilia can often develop contusions without any known injuries.Certain cancers: Blood cancers, like non-Hodgkin’s lymphoma, can cause unexplained contusions.Thrombocytopenia:Platelets are important to the clotting function in the blood. Thrombocytopenia is a condition where platelet levels are below normal levels. This condition can cause unexplained contusions to develop.
While a contusion is generally not dangerous, there are medical conditions that can causeunexplained contusions, such as:
How Many Days Does a Contusion Take to Heal?
Depending on where the contusion occurs, healing time can vary.During the initial injury, the skin might appear reddened or pinkish, developing the stereotypical black-and-blue coloring associated with a contusion.
As the body absorbs the leaked blood and the immune system assists with breaking it down, the contusion might appear more greenish-yellow in color.
Contusions can take several days and even weeks to resolve. More significant contusions, such as bone contusions, can take up to six months to heal.
When to See a Healthcare Provider
Summary
Contusions primarily occur when capillaries leak blood after an injury of some kind. Due to swelling, a contusion might be uncomfortable or even painful. Still, over-the-counter medications like Tylenol, rest, and applying ice to the area for short periods can be effective.
12 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Bruising questions.Heinemann L.Bruising-an ignored issue?J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022;16(4):799-803. doi:10.1177/19322968211065066.National Cancer Institute.Hematoma.Harvard Health Publishing.Is my bruising normal?.Neutze D, Roque J.Clinical evaluation of bleeding and bruising in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(4):279-286.National Institutes of Health.Bruising questions.Radiopedia.Bone bruise.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Muscle contusions (bruise).Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
12 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.National Institutes of Health.Bruising questions.Heinemann L.Bruising-an ignored issue?J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022;16(4):799-803. doi:10.1177/19322968211065066.National Cancer Institute.Hematoma.Harvard Health Publishing.Is my bruising normal?.Neutze D, Roque J.Clinical evaluation of bleeding and bruising in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(4):279-286.National Institutes of Health.Bruising questions.Radiopedia.Bone bruise.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Muscle contusions (bruise).Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
National Institutes of Health.Bruising questions.Heinemann L.Bruising-an ignored issue?J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022;16(4):799-803. doi:10.1177/19322968211065066.National Cancer Institute.Hematoma.Harvard Health Publishing.Is my bruising normal?.Neutze D, Roque J.Clinical evaluation of bleeding and bruising in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(4):279-286.National Institutes of Health.Bruising questions.Radiopedia.Bone bruise.American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Muscle contusions (bruise).Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
National Institutes of Health.Bruising questions.
Heinemann L.Bruising-an ignored issue?J Diabetes Sci Technol. 2022;16(4):799-803. doi:10.1177/19322968211065066.
National Cancer Institute.Hematoma.
Harvard Health Publishing.Is my bruising normal?.
Neutze D, Roque J.Clinical evaluation of bleeding and bruising in primary care.Am Fam Physician. 2016;93(4):279-286.
Radiopedia.Bone bruise.
American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Muscle contusions (bruise).
Easy bruising and bleeding.Am Fam Physician.2016;93(4).
American Society of Hematology.Bleeding disorders.
American Cancer Society.Signs and symptoms of non-hodgkin lymphoma.
Canadian Cancer Society.Low platelet count (thrombocytopenia).
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