A “contusion” is the medical term for a bruise. Bruises usually occur at the site of an injury where blood vessels have been damaged resulting in leakage of blood from these vessels. This leakage produces the characteristic discolouration we all associate with bruising.
A “bone contusion” (i.e. “bone bruise”) is when there is trauma to bone, but not severe enough to result in a fracture. Bone is wrapped in a thin tissue called “periosteum” (kind of like a “bone skin”). The periosteum is composed of dense connective tissue and does not cover the articular (i.e. “joint”) surface of bones. Periosteum is rich in nerve endings (which can result in pain) and blood vessels. With a significant enough trauma, you can damage the periosteum leading to a bone bruise. Symptoms can include, but are not limited to, pain (generally more severe and longer lasting than a solely soft tissue injury), swelling, stiffness and possibly discolouration. Generally speaking, bone contusions will not present on x-ray examination but x-rays may be required in order to rule out a fracture. The soft tissue surrounding the bone contusion may also be injured in the same traumatic event. A bone contusion can be present for days, weeks or even months!
If you think you may have received a bone contusion, don’t waste time to book an appointment with one of our talented therapists who would be able to examine you today!
Author: Dr. Paolo De Ciantis, B.Sc.(Hons.), M.Sc., D.C.