Contusion: (Bruise)

Presentation

The patient has experienced blunt trauma such as a fall or other impact injury. The initial pain has subsided, but point tenderness, swelling, ecchymosis, and pain with use remain after 3 days. On physical examination, there is insignificant loss of function and no bony tenderness, instability, or crepitus.

A contusion is soft tissue damage with diffuse capillary rupture due to focal blunt trauma. Extravasated blood in the subcutaneous tissue produces visible bruising. Blood may form a focal collection that can exert mass effect on surrounding structures.