Contusion
A contusion is a bruise, an injury where blunt force damages small blood vessels under intact skin, causing bleeding into surrounding tissue and characteristic discoloration. Most resolve without intervention, though deep or large contusions may require evaluation for underlying tissue or organ damage.
What is a contusion?
A contusion is the medical term for a bruise: an injury in which blunt force damages small blood vessels beneath the skin without breaking the skin's surface. The damaged vessels leak blood into the surrounding tissue, producing the tenderness, swelling, and color changes typical of a bruise.
The characteristic discoloration shifts over time as the body breaks down and reabsorbs the trapped blood. Most contusions are minor and heal on their own without specific treatment.
Why does a contusion matter clinically?
While ordinary bruises are harmless, a large or deep contusion can signal more serious underlying damage to muscle, tissue, or internal organs, especially after significant trauma. In those cases, clinical evaluation is warranted to rule out bleeding or injury that is not visible on the surface.
Accurately documenting a contusion, including its location and severity, supports appropriate assessment and coding when a patient is seen for an injury. Recognizing when a bruise is routine versus when it points to a deeper problem is part of sound clinical judgment.
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