Contusion of internal organs: types, diagnosis and treatment. Blunt abdominal trauma. Damage to abdominal organs. Emergency care Treatment for internal organ injuries

Injuries associated with mechanical impact on the human body are the most common in medical practice. The main reasons for their appearance:

  • Impact with a blunt object.
  • Colliding with a very hard object (usually found in road accidents).
  • Fall from a great height.

Symptoms of bruises of internal organs

The nature of the damage resulting from bruises depends primarily on the degree of mechanical load and on the area of ​​the body to which this load was directed. For example, if we are talking about a chest bruise, pathological changes in the lungs, heart, trachea, etc. are possible. If the main mechanical load falls on the abdominal area, the stomach, spleen, liver, kidneys, etc. may be significantly damaged. A head injury is often accompanied by a brain contusion, the consequences of which can be extremely serious. However, signs of a concussion are a topic for another discussion. How to recognize bruises of internal organs in other cases?

The main symptoms that allow us to draw conclusions about a bruise of internal organs:

  • Severe pain in the damaged area.
  • The presence of a hematoma in this area.
  • Swelling of soft tissues in the damaged area. This condition is usually caused by internal hemorrhage.
  • Impaired functionality of the organ that was affected.

Manifestations may vary depending on which organ was affected. In general, external signs of bruises to internal organs can be described as follows:

  • Growing subcutaneous emphysema (excessive accumulation of air in the tissues, accompanied by severe pain).
  • If the lungs are damaged, cyanosis (bluish coloration of the skin) and respiratory distress are observed.
  • Decreased blood pressure, decreased heart rate.
  • Injuries to organs located in the abdominal cavity are often manifested by a feeling of fullness in the stomach and nausea.
  • Hemoptysis.

If the kidneys, liver, or spleen are damaged, internal bleeding can be very severe. Any injury that causes injury to internal organs requires professional medical attention.

Basic methods of treating bruises of internal organs

First aid for suspected bruises of internal organs due to a fall is to ensure the victim’s rest. It is also necessary to take emergency measures:

  • Apply ice or a cold compress to the injured area.
  • To avoid anaphylactic shock, the patient must take a pain reliever.
  • In some cases, a tight bandage is indicated (for example, with a closed chest injury).

Severe bruise of internal organs following an accident requires immediate hospitalization. In a hospital setting, a thorough diagnosis is carried out, which helps to identify the size and area of ​​​​distribution of damage to internal organs. The main diagnostic method is x-ray, and in case of a brain injury, computed tomography or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may be required. In this case, the doctor will prescribe an ECG, which will help to obtain a more objective picture of the disease.

Treatment usually comes down to surgery, which is carried out to stop internal bleeding and restore the integrity of the damaged organ. If the injury was not severe, to eliminate the hematoma 3-4 days after the injury, you can rub the damaged area with ointments that have an anti-inflammatory effect (without the warming effect).

Video

Since childhood, we have been familiar with bruises. Bruises on the arms and legs are a common thing that you simply don’t pay attention to. But damage to internal organs is a much more dangerous injury than soft tissue bruise. At the slightest suspicion of a liver hematoma, you should immediately consult a doctor.

Shulepin Ivan Vladimirovich, traumatologist-orthopedist, highest qualification category

Total work experience over 25 years. In 1994 he graduated from the Moscow Institute of Medical and Social Rehabilitation, in 1997 he completed a residency in the specialty “Traumatology and Orthopedics” at the Central Research Institute of Traumatology and Orthopedics named after. N.N. Prifova.

In most cases, bruising of an internal organ occurs due to a blow with a blunt object. But it could also be:


  • injury sustained during sports(rugby, martial arts, football);
  • consequence of an accident. Since the passenger is usually positioned sideways to the vehicle, it is the rib, liver and thigh that are affected;
  • a fall . As a rule, a fall from a great height (at least 2-3 meters) leads to a liver bruise. But there are cases where the injury was even caused by a person slipping on ice;
  • sudden rise in weight;
  • pinching between two objects. For example, these could be elevator or bus doors.

Depending on the nature of the damage, there are:

  • liver hematoma. This is an accumulation of blood in the liver area, which is limited to the muscle layers;
  • ruptures - subcapsular (when hemorrhage occurs under the capsule) and transcapsular (when the fibrous membrane of the liver is disrupted).

Symptoms of liver contusion. How to distinguish a bruise from a rupture

Since the nerve endings in the liver area are unevenly distributed, the pain syndrome can be either very pronounced or practically absent. In most cases, local pain is observed at the site of injury, including from damage to deep muscles. The discomfort may spread to the lumbar and groin area. Doctors often notice difficulty breathing of the patient, tension during palpation, Kulenkampf's symptom, increased blood pressure and skin abrasions.

In the first few hours, the pain may intensify with movement and pressure on the abdominal cavity. But already 2-3 days after the injury, a symptom is likely to occur Shchetkin-Blumberg. It lies in the fact that acute pain in the liver appears immediately after the doctor sharply removes his hand, stopping the pressure on the stomach. Also on the second day there is yellowness of the skin and a rise in temperature to subfebrile levels.Sometimes at this stage it is no longer possible to cure the disease without dangerous consequences for the body.

In case of liver contusion, timely diagnosis is extremely important.

Primary diagnosis


When the patient is taken to the emergency room, the doctor examines the color of the skin and measures blood pressure and temperature. Then he performs a thorough palpation of the abdominal cavity. The final stage in making a diagnosis is ultrasound. It will show the location of the hematoma and its size.

X-rays are also often ordered. The picture shows: if the contours are clear, then everything is in order. If the diaphragm is displaced, the colon and stomach are deformed, and the contours of the liver are blurred, there is a high probability of a hematoma.

One of the diagnostic options is laparoscopy. The procedure is carried out under anesthesia: a small incision is made in the abdominal cavity, through which an endoscope is inserted.

Providing emergency assistance

From painful shock, the victim may well lose consciousness. First thing, bring him to his senses letting it inhale ammonia or spraying it with cold water. Next, strictly follow the instructions:


  1. Lay the patient on a flat surface so that there is no pressure on the stomach and the legs are bent.
  2. Apply a cold pack wrapped in cotton cloth to the right side of your abdomen.
  3. If the person cannot bear the pain until the ambulance arrives, give him a pain-relieving injection.

If a liver injury is suspected, the patient should not be given any pills, food or even drink.

If there is an open injury in the abdominal area, cover it with a clean cloth and secure it with a bandage.

Under no circumstances should you reset prolapsed internal organs!

Treatment: in hospital and at home


Depending on the severity of the injury, the doctor chooses one of three rehabilitation methods:

  • surgery. Prolonged bleeding can only be stopped by surgery. In medical practice, ligation of damaged vessels and suturing of small cracks are widely used. In cases where an organ has been severely damaged, we will talk about its resection (partial removal);
  • drug treatment. If there is no serious blood loss, the doctor will prescribe conservative treatment using hemostatic, healing and cleansing drugs. It is possible to prescribe physiotherapeutic procedures that will accelerate the restoration of soft tissues: magnetic therapy, UHF, electrophoresis;
  • physiological recovery. If the damage is very minor and there is no internal bruising, the doctor may simply order rest at home and bed rest for a few days. Vitamin complexes and hepatoprotectors will not interfere.

In a hospital setting, after liver surgery, a blood transfusion or reinfusion (infusion of your own, but filtered) blood is often prescribed. It is also necessary to follow a strict diet with the exclusion of alcohol, fatty and fried foods, sweets, and citrus fruits.

Treatment with folk remedies for liver contusion only aggravates the problem. After all, every hour counts! And the longer the victim self-medicates, the less likely it is that doctors will be able to return him to a full life.

Complications of liver hematoma

During a moderate impact, a subcapsular hematoma of the liver occurs. With proper treatment, it has no consequences and does not affect the general condition of the body. If there is acute pain, most likely it is a bruise with capsule rupture. Then you urgently need to stop the bleeding so that large volumes of fluid do not enter the abdominal cavity and damage other organs.

When a very severe injury occurs, but there is no pain in the area of ​​the right hypochondrium, the development of central hematoma. This is a dangerous injury that does not have any associated symptoms. If timely surgical intervention is not performed, this type of rupture due to bruise can even lead to death. Other common complications include:

  • traumatic cysts;
  • parenchyma compression;
  • abscess formation.

Full recovery after a liver injury is possible only if qualified medical care is provided in a timely manner.

Rehabilitation sometimes lasts up to several months, but, in general, the prognosis for patients is positive.

Liver injuries. How to act. What you should never do.

Our children are restless and daredevil; as soon as they start moving, they strive to crawl to the edge of the sofa, changing table or crib. There is not a single child who has not fallen at least once in his life, falls are just different - dangerous and not very dangerous, with and without injuries. It is important for parents to know where and how a crumb can fall and be able to assess the child’s condition, provide an adequate amount of assistance and know. where and in what cases you need to contact.

How do they fall?

For some reason, parents believe that since the child does not walk or crawl, it means that he cannot fall, and they carelessly leave him on the changing table, sofa or edge of the bed. Remember, dear fathers and mothers. A baby can fall even at one month of age; due to the chaotic movement of arms and legs, he can push off from the support and slide down the diaper or oilcloth. Never leave your child alone even for a second from birth, develop a conditioned reflex - never leave your child lying on a high surface!
The statistics of falls of children in the first years of life are varied - they fall from strollers and cradles, from changing tables, beds, sofas, walkers, jumpers and high chairs. Sometimes parents don’t think that the baby might fall, and they simply don’t have time to react and catch the child.
Any serious injuries to a young child, to our great regret, are associated with our parental carelessness and oversight. It is always worth remembering that at three months the baby can roll over on its side, at 6-7 months it can crawl, and at 7-9 months it can stand up and hang over the edge of the sofa or bed. The fall of a baby is unpredictable - therefore, it is necessary to closely monitor the babies and prevent accidents.

Falls at home and on the street.

In the house, the leaders in the number of falls are high chairs, when the mother sat the baby down and turned away to prepare him puree or porridge. The baby is bored, he easily wriggles out even from fastened seat belts and tries to get out of the chair.
In second place are changing tables, even if they have sides. Kids are quite active and the side is not a serious obstacle for them. The tables are usually quite high, so these falls are very serious.
The third place is for strollers, mostly these are seated strollers or transformers; the baby already knows how to sit in them, but not yet how to get out of them correctly. If mom is a little distracted and the baby is not fastened with seat belts, he may fall.
Children often fall from their parents' bed or sofa when their parents leave the room or turn away for just a moment. The baby could crawl or simply move actively and thus move to the edge and fall from there. In the first 2-3 months, many parents recklessly leave their babies like this, hoping that they will not go anywhere.
Newfangled jumpers and walkers are especially dangerous in terms of injuries; they cause some of the most severe injuries in children. Children of the first year, due to the underdevelopment of the cerebellar centers, do not yet know how to maintain balance; in the process of learning to walk, they learn to coordinate their body correctly. And these devices give a distorted picture of space and a sense of stability. Children hang over the edges of the walkers, trying to get out, get caught in the wheels on uneven floors, and fall down the stairs in their walkers. When jumping, children hit their heads on door jambs, fall out of fastenings, or fall when fastenings break or burst (especially for cheap or low-quality products).
On the street, the leaders of falls are stairs where a mother or father was walking with a baby in their arms; hiking in icy conditions, entering and exiting public transport, and also the state of intoxication of parents are especially dangerous.

Features of injuries in children at different ages.

Infants most often suffer traumatic brain injuries from falls. This is due to the fact that their head is much heavier than the rest of the body; when falling, it outweighs and children fall, first of all, hitting their heads. Of course, the baby’s skull has fontanelles and open seams, and up to a certain point it softens the blows, protecting the brain, however, it is not worth testing the child’s strength.
Older children usually, due to the changing proportionality of the body, receive injuries of a different kind - in addition to head injuries, they add injuries to the limbs, wounds, cuts, fractures, and bleeding.
Until about 3-4 months, the baby is relatively calm and his motor activity is not so pronounced. However, this is not a reason to relax - it also requires constant supervision. But by 3-5 months, when most babies already know how to roll over from side to side, they become very active and fast. Leaving them on the sofa or bed unattended is simply unacceptable. For such a baby, falling from a height of even 40-50 cm is dangerous, especially if he hits his head. This can lead to a concussion, brain contusion and cracked skull bones, all depending on the surface on which it falls. Damage to internal organs and bones is extremely rare.
One-year-old babies begin to walk, which leads to falls from their own height. The task of parents with the baby’s first steps will be to protect him from injury, but in no case limit his freedom and movements. It is necessary to show the child where danger may be and teach him how to properly get off the sofa, chair or stroller. At first, protect your baby from obstacles in his path, close the corners and remove all obstacles from under his feet. The most dangerous falls for children of this age are from a height of 80-100 cm, that is, the height of their height.
In children aged 2-3 years, who can actively run, jump and gallop, the nature of injuries changes. They usually fall from slides, swings and other structures in playgrounds. Usually this is a height of 1-3 meters, which is very dangerous in terms of fractures, injuries to the head, back and abdomen. Therefore, parents’ vigilance should be doubled; teach your child to go up and down stairs. Climb structures correctly and teach them how to jump correctly.

What if he did fall?

Sometimes, despite all our precautions, children fall, what should parents do? The most important thing is not to panic; most falls, other than a small bump, loud crying and frightening of the child, do not cause any consequences. If you think that the child’s injury is serious, you should not throw hysterics, you need to pull yourself together in order to provide timely and correct assistance to the child.
It must be remembered that symptoms of mild injuries appear within 1-2 hours, severe injuries may have a delayed period of manifestation. It is necessary to remember that you need to carefully monitor the child’s condition during critical hours - the first and third hours, and then 12 and 24 hours after the injury. If the child is over 2 years old, at night after an injury, wake him up every 2-3 hours and ask simple questions. This will help to adequately assess the child’s state of consciousness.
In the first minutes after a fall, you need to put aside thoughts that the child is mortally injured or, conversely, that this is a nonsense fall. Assess the child’s condition soberly and objectively. First of all, we pay attention to whether there is swelling in the soft tissues (bump), whether there is a hematoma (accumulation of blood under the skin), abrasions, cuts or bleeding. You can apply cold to the site of the injury (a rag soaked in cold water or ice in a towel). If there is blood coming from the wound, apply a piece of clean, dry cloth or bandage to it and apply pressure. If the wound bleeds, the tissue becomes saturated with blood, or the bleeding does not stop for 10-15 minutes, call a doctor or take the child to the emergency room.
Calm the crying baby and carefully evaluate how the child behaves, is he inhibited or excited, is he adequate, does he answer questions?

Urgent ambulance!

There is a set of very alarming symptoms that indicate the possibility of serious injury and require an immediate call to the ambulance and referral to a hospital. First of all, you need to look the child in the eyes, assess the condition of the pupils; if they are of different sizes, sharply dilated or narrowed - this is very dangerous. It is necessary to measure the child's pulse - for children under one year old it should be at least 110-120 beats per minute. For children over one year old, at least 100 blows.
Before the ambulance arrives, put the child to bed, ensuring him peace, however, try to keep him awake for about 1-2 hours to assess his condition, otherwise you may underestimate the severity. If a child loses consciousness or vomits, place him or her gently on their side so that vomit does not enter the respiratory system.
However, if there is a suspicion of injury to the back and spine (a fall from a height onto the back), the child should not be touched, as this may lead to displacement of bone fragments and additional damage.
Loss of consciousness, even for a very short time, slowing of the pulse, lethargy, and yawning are dangerous. Sharp crying, refusal to eat, nausea and vomiting, regurgitation, strange behavior that did not exist before. All these symptoms are a reason to at least consult a traumatologist or neurologist.

Head injuries.

These are some of the most dangerous injuries, along with spinal injuries. The brain and spinal cord are life-supporting organs; the entire functioning of the body depends on them. The baby’s skull is designed in a special way, it has fontanelles and sutures, but it is very fragile, and brain damage from an impact is higher than in an adult. Due to the sutures, bones can easily move, and the baby’s restlessness, combined with his lack of coordination and reduced sense of fear, can lead to trouble. In addition, children do not know how to fall correctly and often do not put their hands up for protection and hit their heads.
Traumatic brain injury in children is one of the serious diagnoses that occurs when they fall and hit their head. It is not always easy to identify the moment of trauma, especially if the child was left with older children, relatives, or a nanny; they could hide it from their parents, fearing punishment or other problems. Older children often keep silent about the injury; in addition, sometimes there are injuries without a head impact. One example is “shaken baby syndrome,” which occurs when children are handled roughly, jumping from heights, or under sudden acceleration or braking.
So, let's divide all head injuries by severity.
The easiest is considered to be a soft tissue bruise or, in the common term, a “bump.” In this case, the brain tissue does not suffer in any way, but tissue swelling and abrasion form at the site of the impact. If the “bump” is large, show the child to a traumatologist - sometimes cracks in the bones of the skull can be hidden under the mask of edema.
If the brain is injured, it is called a traumatic brain injury. If the integrity of the tissues of the head (skin and bones of the skull) is damaged, this is an open injury, while if the meninges are also damaged, this is a penetrating wound of the head. This also poses a threat of brain infection, which will worsen the prognosis.
Closed TBI is an injury with minimal soft tissue damage and no bone trauma. Typically, these injuries most often occur in children. These injuries are divided according to severity into three groups:
- mild degree (concussion),
- moderate severity (brain contusion)
- and severe (compression of the brain, fracture of the base of the skull, severe brain contusions).

Manifestations and diagnosis.

To our great joy, moderate and severe injuries are rare; they are recognized quickly and usually in an ambulance. But I want to talk specifically about concussions - they happen quite often. A concussion is manifested by a short-term loss of consciousness, vomiting appears, many times in the first months of life, children turn pale, sweat, and are lethargic. Usually the baby begins to refuse food and complains of headaches or tinnitus.
Dangerous and requiring an immediate call for an ambulance are: nosebleeds after a head injury, loss of consciousness for any time, breathing and heart rhythm disturbances, discharge of light fluid from the ear, and the appearance of bruises around the eyes.
In the hospital, the child will undergo an ultrasound of the head (if the fontanel is not closed) and an x-ray. If you need a tomogram with a set of other studies, up to a puncture. This will allow you to accurately diagnose and carry out the treatment prescribed by the doctor.

Contusion of internal organs is an injury without violating the integrity of tissues, bones, and mucous membranes. It can occur due to a fall, blunt trauma to the abdomen, or as a result of a car accident. The condition is dangerous due to impaired body functions and the likelihood of complications.

According to localization, the following bruises of internal organs and accompanying symptoms are distinguished:

  • Liver bruise. Causes a feeling of sharp pain at the site of impact. The body experiences stress, the limbs cool down, the heartbeat quickens, and the blood pressure drops. The abdomen is depressed or protruded. Changing body position causes pain.
  • Lung contusion. Symptoms: increased pain when inhaling, coughing up blood, tachycardia, pale skin, bruising in the area of ​​impact, swelling. A similar bruise to internal organs can be caused by a sharp fall on your back.
  • When the spleen is bruised, the patient tries to take a certain position to relieve suffering: squat down, lie on his left side and bend his legs. The pulse is increased, blood pressure is low, there is severe pain in the left hypochondrium area, radiating to the forearm and shoulder blade. Internal bleeding is possible, accompanied by bloating.
  • Kidney bruise. The injury causes paroxysmal pain in the lower back, spreading to the stomach and groin. Nausea or vomiting is present. Body temperature rises. Blood is detected in the urine. The number of clots indicates the severity of the condition. Injury to these paired internal organs can occur when falling from a height, as a result of unsuccessful sports activities, or accidents.
  • Heart contusion is accompanied by tachycardia, pain in the area of ​​the organ, shortness of breath (suffocation), a gradual decrease in pressure, and pallor of the skin.
  • A bladder bruise makes it impossible to urinate. The urge is frequent, but without results. Instead of urine, blood is released. In the lower abdomen there is pain, swelling, and bluish discoloration of the skin.

Classification by severity:

First aid for bruises of internal organs

Impacts from a blunt object or a blow from a fall from a height often cause bruises to internal organs. Symptoms may not appear immediately. If the consequence is internal bleeding, then pallor, cold sweat, dizziness and weakness appear after 10-30 minutes as blood accumulates in the abdominal cavity or chest.

It is impossible to stop internal bleeding without medical help. Before the arrival of a team of specialists, the victim is provided with first aid aimed at stopping the bleeding.


The person must be placed on his back so that the head and shoulders are higher than the back, and a cold compress must be applied to the stomach.

In everyday life, if you fall on your back from your own height or from a ladder, you can easily damage the spine and lower back, and bruise internal organs: the genitourinary system, kidneys, intestines. The victim is immobilized. Before doctors arrive, you need to secure the injury site with a tight bandage, lay the injured person on his back and leave him alone.

First aid for bruises of the heart and lungs involves freeing the patient from clothing; keeping it in a horizontal position; cleansing mucus and blood from the mouth and nose; turn your head to the side; if a person faints, let him smell ammonia; cold compress to the site of the blow; ensuring a flow of fresh air.

How to determine a bruise of internal organs?

The task of doctors is to determine the degree of injury to internal organs based on symptoms and diagnostic test data:

  • Electrocardiogram - shows a violation of cardiac impulses.
  • Echocardiography is prescribed to detect hemodynamic disorders.
  • Holter - measures pulse, heart rate, and blood pressure within 24 hours.
  • X-ray – allows you to detect associated injuries (fractures of the chest, ribs)

If there are symptoms of injury to internal organs, especially the genitourinary organs, blood and urine tests are prescribed to monitor changes in chemical reactions in the body.

The degree of damage and assessment of kidney performance are determined using the following methods:

  • Chromocystoscopy - abnormalities are detected by staining urine. A special substance is used - contrast, which is injected into the urethra.
  • An X-ray examination allows you to see the outline of the kidneys and examine the bruise of a contusion due to a bruise of an internal organ.

In the case of liver contusion, the results of a biochemical blood test indicate a halving of total protein, a drop in albumin, and an increase in ALT and AST. Instrumental methods for examining the organ include computed tomography and MRI; they determine the degree and depth of damage and the amount of blood accumulated in the abdominal cavity.


Basic methods of treating bruises

The obtained results of hardware studies and analyzes are taken by doctors as a basis in choosing a method of treating bruised internal organs.

UHF therapy expands capillaries, enhances lymph flow and the flow of leukocytes to the site of injury. The procedure resolves accumulated fluid and stimulates regeneration processes. Microwave expands capillaries and increases their permeability. Magnetotherapy enhances the phagocytic activity of leukocytes. Manual massage is very effective in resolving hematomas.


Bleeding often occurs as a result of bruising internal organs during a fall. Symptoms are expressed in signs of hematomas. This condition requires surgery. Damaged vessels and small cracks are sutured. Severe cases of bruises require complete or partial removal of the organ.

What medications are used to treat bruises of internal organs at home?

Several groups of medications are used in home therapy:

  • Troxevasin, Rescuer, Lyoton - a group of heparin-based drugs that resolve hematomas.
  • Capsicam or Arpisatron are ointments that allow you to dilate blood vessels.
  • Wobenzym or Phlogenzym are enzyme preparations that relieve swelling and pain.
  • Fastum or Indovazin are non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

Fastum gel is an effective treatment for bruises

Traditional methods of treating bruises of internal organs

The use of herbal decoctions resolves fluid accumulated from the impact of internal organs, restores injured blood vessels, and enhances tissue regeneration.

  • Decoction No. 1. 1 tbsp. hawthorn flowers, 1 tbsp. horsetail, 1 tbsp. knotweed herbs, add 1 liter of water, boil for 15 minutes, leave for 2 hours. Drink 100 g on an empty stomach once a day. Course 10-14 days.
  • Decoction No. 2. Pour 15 g of bay leaf into 1 liter of water. Boil for 10 minutes. Leave the solution for 4 hours. Take 250 g before meals, once a day. Duration of treatment is 7 days.

Internal damage to tissues or organs is considered when the skin, bones and mucous membranes are not affected.

Bruises occur as a result of various mechanical damage, impacts, or falling on hard surfaces.

With a weak bruise, pain is felt in the muscles; with stronger blows, soft tissue ruptures and internal bruising appears. Depending on the severity of the injury, it may be a small bruise or hematoma after the swelling goes down. Mild bruises can be treated at home, but persistent pain should see a doctor.

Also, the severity of the consequences of a bruise is determined by the location of the injury and the volume of the affected area. A bruised finger against a wall with a blue nail is nothing compared to a head bruise of the same severity. Any bruise can be cured if you immediately contact a traumatologist.

Types of bruises and their symptoms

or shell shock are divided into types depending on the location and degree of damage to the body area. They can appear anywhere, from the eye to the foot, due to various random circumstances or simple carelessness.

Emergencies, accidents or production problems can also lead to bruises. It is an inevitable fact that you will get bruises and other types of injuries while playing sports, especially martial arts.

Medical practice, depending on the location of the bruise, distinguishes the following main categories:

Head contusion
One of the most serious types of injuries, which is often accompanied by a concussion. If the blow was strong enough, the pain envelops the head. You feel dizzy, weak, and slightly nauseous. Immediately after the blow, you should apply cold to the place where it hurts and lie down on a flat surface. If the pain does not go away after a couple of hours, you need to call an ambulance.

Brain contusion- this is one of the types of traumatic brain injury along with concussion and compression of the brain according to the classification of the French surgeon J.L. Petit. It is quite difficult to determine each type by external signs, so hardware diagnostics are required. Brain contusions are divided into 4 main groups:

shake– disturbance at the cortical level with clear consciousness;
mild bruise– functional changes in the central nervous system in the form of damage to the vessels of the arachnoid membrane;
moderate bruise– focal brain damage accompanied by paresis of the cranial abducens and oculomotor nerves;
severe bruise– damage to the brain stem, coma.

Immediately after the injury, it is necessary to place the wounded person on an elevated surface, apply a tight bandage, and call an ambulance.

Facial bruise
The face is the most visible part of our body; it cannot be hidden under clothing, so any bruises due to the slightest bruises and mechanical damage are immediately visible to others. As a rule, bruises on the face, nose, forehead or chin instantly turn blue. The first thing you need to do is apply cold compresses to relieve swelling. Associated abrasions should be treated with iodine, brilliant green or hydrogen peroxide to avoid tissue infection. When the nose is bruised, it is very painful, swollen and deformed. In case of facial injuries, you should consult a doctor and stay in the hospital.

Bruised eye
Our eyes are very sensitive, and any mechanical impact, especially strong, immediately causes bruising and filling of the white with blood, resulting in bruising. When the eye is swollen, its function is impaired as it becomes completely swollen. Depending on the force of the blow, pain may not be felt in the very first hours. First aid for an eye injury should be provided by an ophthalmologist, since independent actions can lead to visual impairment.

Bruised tooth
A closed wound of a specific tooth due to mechanical action without much disruption of tissue integrity. As a result of the tear, the tissues that hold the tooth in the alveolus and pulp tissue are damaged.

These damages are most often reversible if you consult a dentist in a timely manner. A tooth bruise is characterized by pain when eating, darkening of the tooth, and swelling of the gum mucosa. The first measures for a tooth bruise are applying ice and avoiding hard foods.

Chest contusion
Most often, this kind of bruises occur during accidents or other disasters and are accompanied by rib fractures and damage to lung tissue. Symptoms of a bruise include severe pain, bruising and shortness of breath. The first aid in such a situation will be to place the victim in an elevated, reclining position and fix the chest with a tight, airtight bandage.

Back bruise
Due to the fact that the sensitive spinal cord is located in the center of the spine, a back injury can have quite serious consequences. With a spinal bruise, focal hemorrhages and disturbances in the circulation of cerebrospinal fluid are observed.

When a spinal bruise occurs, swelling occurs and a hematoma forms, all of which is accompanied by pain and difficulty defecating due to spinal shock. Additional signs may include loss of sensation in the affected area and paralysis. Treatment of a back injury is carried out in a hospital.

Bruised leg
Severe leg bruises are characterized by swelling and pain in the foot, and a lump forms. In cases where the blow was struck obliquely, skin detachments may appear, which worsens the condition of the hematoma and can develop into a traumatic cyst. There is also a risk of blood getting into the muscle tissue of the leg.

Without immediate medical attention, this condition can result in tissue necrosis. The most severe pain syndrome is observed with a bruise in the lower leg area. A bruise can provoke limb dislocations, muscle strains or fractures.

Bruised hand and fingers
Hands are most often exposed to various injuries and bruises in everyday life. It is not difficult to identify a bruise; pain occurs in a specific location, the bruised area swells and a hematoma occurs due to bleeding into the soft tissue. After applying ice, it is worth treating open wounds, if any. If the pain does not go away, you should take general painkillers. If a fingernail is damaged, it is necessary to apply a tight bandage to the bruised area to fix it.

Bruised joints
When you fall or hit your elbow or knee with a hard object, acute pain occurs and the motor functions of the joints are difficult. Due to the fact that blood enters the joint, hemarthrosis occurs, sometimes of significant size. To diagnose joint damage, radiography in two projections is prescribed. Treatment of joint bruises is carried out in a hospital setting, but in the first hours after the injury you can take painkillers.

Internal organ bruise
The most complex type of bruise, which may not externally manifest itself in any way, except for symptoms of weakness and pain in a specific location, such as the kidneys, heart, spleen. At the first information about a bruise, it is important to take the victim to a hospital for diagnosis and treatment.

Bruise of the genital organs in men
As a result of the bruise, both the scrotum, testicles, and penis can be damaged. In addition to pain and redness, bleeding during urination and the formation of hematomas, as well as testicular dislocation, are noted. The injury can be either isolated, when only one organ is affected, or combined, if the injury affects all organs at once. After a comprehensive diagnosis, bed rest, wearing tight swimming trunks and antibiotics are prescribed.

According to the force of impact and the degree of damage to tissues and organs, bruises are divided into four degrees:

1. Characterized by the appearance of swelling and streaky and precise hemorrhages at the site of impact within the first hour;
2. The integrity of large vessels is disrupted, bruises and hematomas are formed. Such bruises are accompanied by acute pain at the site of injury;
3. There is rupture of blood vessels, muscles, nerve tissue and tendons, as well as cracks and internal fractures of bones or dislocation of joints. Tissue nutrition is disrupted and necrosis may occur if measures are not taken. Such severe bruises are typical for the joints, tailbone, knees and head;
4. Fracture of bones and tissues, characterized by an unfavorable prognosis.

Most bruises, with timely assistance, are completely curable in less than a month, unless they are complicated by other serious lesions and injuries.

Signs of bruise

Signs of bruises include severe pain at the site of injury, severe swelling and a bluish tint to the skin. Over time, the damaged area may change color to greenish-yellowish or distinct dark red, depending on the force of the blow. A head injury is characterized by general weakness, dizziness, nausea and even fainting.


With bruises of the limbs or tailbone, acute shooting pain intensifies when walking and other body movements, calming down in a horizontal position. A common symptom is hemorrhage into the joint and the formation of hemarthrosis. In addition, with severe bruises, the functions of the limbs are impaired, coordination is lost, tremors and uncontrolled muscle contractions appear. When the hematoma resolves, the symptoms disappear. With nerve bruises, paresthesia, paresis, and paralysis become common occurrences.

The appearance of hematomas and persistent pain for several hours are serious reasons to contact a traumatologist.

First aid for bruises

For bruises of any type and location, the first step is to apply ice to narrow the vessels damaged by the blow and relieve pain. It is applied through thick fabric to avoid hypothermia in several approaches of 10–15 minutes. If the bruise is accompanied by other skin lesions, they should be treated immediately, but do not use iodine; alcohol solutions and hydrogen peroxide are suitable. After the appearance of a hematoma, warming measures, such as warm compresses, are prescribed, this helps relieve swelling and reduce pain.

For brain contusions, an aseptic bandage is applied to the head. To prevent aspiration of blood and vomit, the upper respiratory tract is cleaned. If unconscious, patients are carried out on a stretcher in a position on their side or stomach

Possible consequences after bruises

The bruise itself is not as bad as its possible complications. The consequence of a bruise can be fractures and hemorrhages. With an oblique blow, detachment of the subcutaneous tissue and the formation of large hematomas can occur, which can eventually turn into blood-filled traumatic cysts. When the hematoma suppurates, the body temperature can rise to 39 °C.

In bruised areas where large blood vessels pass, tears in the walls and the formation of blood clots and tissue necrosis can occur.

A meteorite falling on a person was recorded only once, but the result was no injury.
The pain threshold in the same parrots is much higher than in humans, so even with obvious signs of a bruise or fracture, the bird can behave actively and mobile.


In places where peripheral nerves (elbow, radial joints) may be bruised, symptoms of loss of their function may appear. As a rule, motor and sensory disturbances pass very quickly, but sometimes there are cases when, with intrastem hemorrhages, traumatic symptoms persist for quite a long time.

Diagnostic methods

After a fall or impact with a blunt object, almost anyone can diagnose a contusion and the appearance of bruises; here you don’t even need to have a medical education. The task of doctors is to determine the strength of this bruise and the degree of tissue damage, whether there are fractures or not, whether internal organs are compressed. Already in the first hours after a bruise, you should consult a traumatologist, especially if the pain is severe and does not go away.

The main tools of traumatologists are hands and x-ray examination for skeletal integrity. If injuries have affected the brain, x-rays may not be enough and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) or computed tomography (CT) is prescribed.

In case of a chest contusion, which may be accompanied by a contusion of the heart or lungs, an electrocardiogram (ECG) becomes a mandatory method of investigation.

Also, to assess changes in the organs and systems of the body due to injury, it is sometimes necessary to take blood and urine tests, which is especially important for injuries to the head and genitals.

Only after diagnostic procedures have been carried out in a trauma center or in the department of traumatology and orthopedics can treatment be prescribed, otherwise, out of ignorance, you can only cause harm and remain disabled.

How to treat a bruise?

Treatment of bruises also depends on the location and extent of damage to the body area. The easiest way for bruises to arise and disappear is in the thigh area, where there is a lot of soft tissue; the consequences of bruises of the joints, especially the shoulder and internal organs, are more difficult and difficult to treat.

The main thing is that treatment of bruised tissues should begin immediately. The first remedy after an injury is applying cold to the injury site to reduce swelling and relieve pain. If the limbs are bruised, a pressure bandage is applied to them.

After the appearance of a hematoma, a bruise can be treated using various methods, both medicinal and physiotherapeutic. In most cases, doctors prescribe heat in the form of applying compresses, applying warming ointments and applying anesthetic cream. After a hematoma appears, a plaster splint may be applied to the knee, elbow or foot.

Bruises on the body are treated using thermal and physical warming effects. Manual massage is highly effective for resolving hematomas. Physiotherapeutic treatment, especially magnetic therapy and laser therapy, relieve inflammation in 4–10 procedures.

For bruised limbs, traumatologists recommend physical therapy courses to restore function. For bruises of the head and brain, rest and medications are predominantly prescribed.

In case of muscle bruises, when hemorrhages appear from ruptures and fibrous degeneration of muscle tissue occurs, punctures are performed surgically.

The main thing is to consult a doctor in a timely manner in order to make a correct diagnosis, then the treatment will be as effective as possible.

Traditional methods

In case of bruises, the first thing they resort to is traditional methods, since they are designed to relieve pain and speed up the process of restoration of damaged tissues. Various compresses and lotions are used to draw out hematomas:

A cold compress of vegetable oil, water and vinegar is applied to the bruise for several hours and tied to fix it.
- For severe bruises and suppuration, in the old days a special ointment was used, which was prepared in an oven and consisted of spruce resin, birch tar and lard. All components were placed in a clay pot and mixed. The resulting mixture was heated in an oven, and after cooling, it was applied to the sore spot using a cloth.
- The most famous remedy for wounds and bruises is burdock. On its basis, special oils are prepared for the treatment of bruises. To do this you need 200 grams of olive oil and 75 grams of burdock root. Mix all ingredients and put on fire, without bringing to a boil. The resulting medicinal oil should be rubbed on bruised areas to relieve pain.
- The juice of wormwood and thistle has pulling properties.
- Lotions made from oak bark and daisy flowers effectively relieve swelling.
- Compresses made from onions, crushed plantain leaves and honey will help quickly get rid of bruises.
- An infusion of 2 heads of garlic in 6% vinegar helps with swelling and pain; such a compress can be applied even if the eye is bruised.

For mild bruises and moderate injuries, the folk remedy is completely justified and gives effective results, but in severe cases, specialized medical care cannot be avoided.

Prevention of bruises

Unfortunately, no one is immune from accidental injuries, street fights and falls, so you can get hurt at any time. But it is quite possible to avoid serious consequences and complications.

First, you need to eat right to strengthen your bones. Your daily diet must include fresh vegetables and dairy products high in calcium. Regular exercise will also help strengthen your muscles and protect your body from serious damage in the event of an impact or unfortunate fall.

All this will make the skin more elastic, improve blood circulation, that is, bruises will heal faster and strengthen the bones, it will be possible to avoid fractures and cracks due to bruises.