![]() ![]() The size of the bruise you incur depends on what actually caused your injury, as well as how much force was involved in the injury. The larger the object you run into, the bigger the potential contusion. Evidently the more force involved in the blow, also the bigger the potential contusion.įor most people, the feeling of a bruise need not be explained. What should be noted, however, is that one may feel like an area is bruised, and yet there is no objective sight of it. As mentioned above, the bleeding caused by trauma can be deep, and for this reason, the skin may not look bruised initially, but can feel tender. The classic bruise will likely make its way to the surface hours or days later, or the bruising may show up, as discussed above, farther away from the site of the trauma rather than right under the traumatized area. The *colour* of a bruise depends on how fresh the injury is, or its stage of healing. Typically a new bruise will begin red, as fresh new blood is leaked into the surrounding tissues, which is rich in both oxygen and hemoglobin (a protein that contains iron). Sometimes the red stage isn’t noticed, as the area of impact isn’t looked at immediately. Not long after the blood has leaked out of the injured capillaries, the blood loses its oxygen, and the blood becomes darker, which turns the skin *colour* blue or purple. Over a few days the bruise may turn an even deeper purple *colour* or may even look black. This occurs due to the red blood cells being broken down and hemoglobin (and iron) being released into the surrounding tissues.Īs your contusion begins to heal, a variety of other *colour*s may appear. Healing contusions begin to turn green as the hemoglobin in the tissues begins to convert to other chemicals. ![]() As the hemoglobin nears its final breakdown the bruise will turn yellow. Eventually the body absorbs the last of the damaged tissue and the skin returns to its normal *colour*ing. It should be noted that most bruises are multi*colour*ed as different areas of the tissue are damaged at different intensities and with different forces. How do health care professionals diagnose the problem? The worst of the damage, however, will be noted in the dark purple or black areas. Generally the presence of a contusion can be diagnosed by the patient themselves when they see it. Your health care professional may palpate (feel) around the contused area to see if there are any areas of hardness developing within the contused area, which can mean a complication is developing (see Complications below). ![]() In most cases of contusions no further investigations are required, however, in cases where the extent of the damage to the injured area is in question, an ultrasound, magnetic resonance image (MRI) test, a computed tomography (CT) scan, or an x-ray may be ordered. Most forms are imaging aren’t necessary if a contusion is all that is suspected. These tests are used to determine whether the contusion is occurring as a result of a significant or full tear of the muscle in the area, damage to an internal organ, a deep vein thrombosis (blood clot), or even a fracture to a local bone - all of which may require further medical attention. ![]()
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