To help the victim correctly, you need to know how to distinguish a fracture from a bruise. Having such knowledge, you can not only avoid negative consequences injury, but also to help the patient recover faster. In order to distinguish between these two types of injuries, first of all, you need to understand their symptoms, and only then draw conclusions whether you are dealing with a bone deformation or a bruise. Conduct self-diagnosis and treatment is not worth it, it is best to consult a doctor, since only a specialist can make the correct diagnosis and speed up the recovery process by prescribing the appropriate therapeutic technique.

Many people believe that getting injured in living conditions unrealistic. But this is far from true. After all, it is in everyday life that people most often receive various injuries. lower limbs.

• By tripping or twisting your foot, you can get a dislocation, sprain, or even bone deformity of the ankle.
• If you fall unsuccessfully, you can get severe bruise or even a bone prick.
• And if you hit your foot on a piece of furniture, you can not only hurt yourself, but also break the phalanx of your finger.

Whatever the injury, regardless of whether it is a bruise or a bone deformity, you must always understand their differences in order to help yourself or the injured person when necessary.

Contusion of the lower limb

When a bruise occurs, it is often not the entire limb that is damaged, but a specific area of ​​it. If, in addition to swelling, abrasions and bruising, it is possible to consider bone deformation and the leg cannot be bent, then most likely the problem is much more serious than soft tissue damage and the patient needs hospitalization. To determine whether it is a dislocation, a sprain, a bone articulation defect or a bruise, a doctor’s examination and an x-ray of the injured limb are necessary. In case of bruise, it is enough to apply cold compress and further treat it with decongestant and anti-inflammatory ointment until complete recovery.

Fracture

Leg fracture

To determine that you have a bruise or fracture, you need to examine the site of the injury, and if, in addition to abrasions and bruises, there is pain when bending or visible deformation of bone joints, then the victim must be taken to a traumatology department.

A fracture is a complete or partial injury to a bone joint. Fractures can be either closed or open. In the case of a closed fracture, only the bone is damaged, the soft tissue remains intact. With an open fracture, the bone and soft tissue are damaged, and a wound surface appears with bone fragments protruding from it.

Bone deformities of the closed type are very often confused with bruises and therefore they are in no hurry to consult a traumatologist. But you still need to know that bone deformation has the following symptoms, which have many differences from a bruised injury. Symptoms of a fracture include:

• The appearance of swelling and hematoma.
• Crunching when bending a limb.
• Pain at the site of injury.
• Visible external deformation.
• Movement of a bony joint under the skin.
• Absence or limitation motor activity accompanied by pain.

It is possible to understand what actually happened to the bone only after an x-ray.

Trauma to the lower extremities is quite serious illness, which can render the leg incapacitated for several weeks or months. Treatment for the fracture will be prescribed depending on the severity of the damage.

Differences

• In fractures, only the bones are damaged; the tissues often remain intact except for an open fracture.
• In case of fractures, bone fragments can cause injury internal organs, with bruises they remain intact.
• A plaster cast is required for fractures and in rare cases applied for bruises.
• The rehabilitation period for a fracture is much longer than for a bruise.
• With fractures, motor activity is limited, with bruises, not so.

Despite the fact that these two injuries have similar symptoms, their differences are still obvious. And to make sure exactly what you are facing, it is best to consult a doctor.

Physical life is rarely complete without bruises and fractures active people. That is why it is necessary to know how to distinguish a fracture from a bruise. Both one and the second can seriously affect the performance and general condition human health. But if you're hurt mild degree can be successfully treated on our own, then in case of a fracture it is necessary to seek the help of a traumatologist.

Determination of bruises and fractures

Bruises (or contusions) are injuries to soft tissues. In medicine, these conditions are divided into degrees. Thus, mild bruises are characterized by fairly specific symptoms:

• there is slight swelling;
• color changes skin(a bruise forms);
• arises sharp pain.

The pain may intensify if there is a need to move the injured limb or part of the body.

With 2nd degree bruises, the symptoms are more pronounced:

• damage and separation of muscle tissue occurs;
• hematomas form;
• inflammation develops, manifested by severe swelling;
• there is an increase in body temperature;
• breathing and heart rate increase;
• the pain is sharp and severe.

Third degree bruises can pose a danger to human health, especially if the head, knees, tailbone or joints are damaged. Their characteristic symptoms:

• pronounced and tendons;
• Associated dislocations may occur.

For 4th degree bruises normal functioning and the vital functions of organs are most often disrupted. Injured parts of the body cannot perform their functions, and the person's overall health may be severe.

A fracture is a violation bone tissue resulting from injury or certain diseases. In turn, fractures are divided into closed and open. When only the bone structure is affected, when open - both the bone structure and the tissues surrounding it. Confuse open fracture with a bruise it is impossible, since the main symptoms of injury are rupture of muscles and skin, bleeding.

If we consider a closed fracture, then its main symptoms are:

• swelling;
• sharp and severe pain;
• extensive hematoma.

Closed fractures are divided into injuries with displacement and without displacement of bone fragments. The symptoms of closed fractures without displacement are almost the same as those of a bruise, so only a specialist can determine the type of injury.

How to distinguish fractures from bruises

The main task of a traumatologist or surgeon is to determine the type of injury received by the patient. Usually diagnostic measures include a visual inspection of the injury site and an x-ray. In cases where it is impossible to quickly see a doctor, a method called axial load syndrome will come in handy. With its help, you can find out what type of injury a person received.

When a bone is damaged, its outer shell, called the periosteum, also suffers. The bone itself does not contain pain receptors, but they are large quantities located in the periosteum.

To determine the type of injury, it is necessary to create pressure on the injured limb in the longitudinal direction.

For example, if any part of the leg is injured, the person should be asked to lean on the sore leg or tap on the heel. The occurrence of pain during these manipulations with a large share will likely indicate a fracture.

In addition, it is necessary to pay attention to the condition of the diseased organ and general well-being and remember that:

• during a bruise, muscles and soft tissues suffer, and during a fracture, bones;
• over time, the pain during a fracture increases, and during a bruise it subsides;
• when clearly severe symptoms In case of a fracture, the patient must be urgently taken to a doctor; in case of a bruise, the injured organ must be kept at rest and ice must be applied in the first hours after the injury.

But there is another type of injury that athletes and people involved in active sports often encounter. These are dislocations. Often severe bruises are combined with joint dislocations, so information on how to distinguish a dislocation from a fracture seems quite relevant.

Here we should rely on the very concept of dislocation. With this type of injury, sudden and severe sprains of the ligaments and capsule ruptures occur. ligamentous apparatus and joints. This change leads to disruption of the shape of the joint and blocking of movement in it. If during a fracture the pain covers the entire segment injured limb, then with a dislocation, the pain is concentrated directly at the site of injury. In addition, a fracture may change appearance and the shape of the limb; with a dislocation, the shape of the limb remains unchanged, but the degree of its lengthening or shortening compared to a healthy organ may change.

First steps for bruises or broken limbs

The actions that need to be taken after an injury can be considered using the example of an arm injury. For example, a person injured his finger. First of all, it is necessary to find out exactly what type of finger injury occurred - a bruise or a fracture. It is necessary to ask the victim about the condition of the limb. With a simple bruise, there will be a slight hemorrhage, at the site of which there will be a bruise, swelling and moderate pain syndrome.

In case of a fracture, the patient will complain of sharp and severe pain, the finger may change its shape, and with accidental movement, bone crepitus or creaking of bone fragments will be observed.

In any case, in the first minutes after the injury, it is necessary to provide the victim with all possible assistance: give him painkillers to relieve pain. For staging accurate diagnosis the person must be taken to a specialist. If there is no doubt that a simple bruise has occurred, you should apply an ice pack or a bottle of cold water to the injury site.

When you receive any injury, you must remember that a non-specialist cannot always recognize the severity of the injury. That's why the best solution It looks like an immediate visit to the emergency room or clinic. The doctor will conduct necessary diagnostics and prescribe effective and competent treatment.

A bone fracture can have many consequences, ranging from an impact on the blood production process to the possible rupture of attached muscles, tendons, ligaments, blood vessels and even nerves. “Open” fractures are also accompanied by open wounds, which can lead to infection of the bone tissue, while with “closed” fractures there is no visible skin trauma. "Complex" fractures involve damage to the surrounding bone blood vessels or vital organs. To recognize any type of fracture, see step 1 below.

Steps

Part 1

Listen to the crunch. If you hear a sudden crunch or crack in your limb when you fall or get hit, you've likely broken a bone. This sound is characteristic of a bone that has suddenly been exposed to much more force than it is prepared to bear and has broken under the force. The location of the fracture will depend on the force and angle of impact.

• In medical parlance this is called "crepitus." This is a characteristic crackling sound similar in sound to “loud, gaseous, bubbling crunch,” which occurs due to the friction of two broken pieces of bone against each other.

1. You will immediately feel severe pain followed by numbness and tingling. You can also feel burning pain(except for skull injuries) with variable force immediately after the injury. Typically, the person will lose the sensation of pain within an hour and begin to feel as if they are under the influence of drugs. This sensation will continue for some time while the injury is still fresh; when is it the feeling will pass, you will feel the pain again with renewed vigor.

   • The fracture area will feel much colder to the touch than any other part of your body; From a pathological point of view, tissue injury activates peripheral pain receptors, known in medical parlance as “nociceptors,” which cause the sensation of cold.

2. Look for tenderness, tingling, swelling, bruising, and possible bleeding. Swelling of all nearby tissues occurs as a result of damage to blood vessels and leakage of blood throughout the damaged area. Because this actually means fluid has accumulated under the surface of the skin, the damaged area swells and begins to hurt when it is touched.

   • The accumulation of blood in the tissues can be seen externally as bruises. Typically, you can only expect bleeding if you have an open fracture, meaning that part of the broken bone has broken through the skin and is protruding out.
   • Bone tenderness can occur as a result of certain medical conditions, such as certain types of blood cancer or bone cancer, and/or as a result of physical damage, such as after an accident or injury -- especially if the bone is broken into several small pieces.

3. Note the deformity of the limb. Trauma to the bone may be associated with deformity depending on the force that caused the fracture. With closed fractures, the bone structure may change inside the limb; In open fractures, the bone will protrude from the body at the fracture site.

   Be aware of the signs state of shock. Many people may go into shock some time after the injury. A state of shock is characterized by pallor, a feeling of coldness, dizziness, rapid but weak pulse and nausea.

   • All of these signs of shock can occur as a result of your body's reaction to your injury, as the injury will affect your nervous system and can lead to hypotension (low blood pressure).
   • However, some people have such mild symptoms that they do not associate them with a broken bone. If you have suffered a severe fall or blow and then experience any of the symptoms described above, seek immediate medical attention. medical care. You may have a broken bone.

4. Note limited or abnormal range of motion. If the fracture is near a joint, you will likely have difficulty moving that limb as usual. This is very clear sign fracture Movements may not even be painful at all, but will be clearly limited.

   • Generally, a broken bone requires a period of stabilization to fully recover. There are specific surgical procedures to stabilize fractures; you may also need physical therapy to regain full functionality of your limb.
   • Fractures in the pelvis and spine require bed rest and extremely long period stabilization (3-6 months), after which patients may require long-term physical therapy.

   Part 2

   Get a diagnosis

   1. Contact your doctor immediately. During the examination, he may ask you about the situation in which the injury occurred and what type of impact led to it (this will help him identify weak spots in the area of ​​the injury). It will also record some details from your medical history, including a history of previous fractures in the same location or other areas of the body.

      • During your examination, your doctor will focus special attention three things. First, it will make sure that nothing is blocking your respiratory tract. He will then make sure that you are breathing normally by observing your stomach and chest, and at the end, he will evaluate the state of your blood circulation.
      • He will also check things like pulse, skin color, body temperature, bleeding, swelling and wounds. All these details will help him quickly assess the situation and determine whether you are in a state of shock.

   2. Take an x-ray. This is very necessary and important method diagnosis of bone fractures. X-ray can reveal various types fractures, as well as any foreign bodies that may be in the tissue around the fracture, and determine whether surgery is required. However, x-rays cannot reveal the condition of the affected tissue around the fracture, including muscles and ligaments.

      • If you are pregnant, this method is not suitable for you due to exposure to radiation. Your doctor may only recommend x-rays in very special cases.
      • Before the x-ray, you will be asked to remove any jewelry or metal items. You may stand, sit, or lie down during the x-ray. You will be asked not to move or even to hold your breath.

   3. Your doctor will most likely work under the rule of duality. Here's how it happens:

      • He will need to have both limbs examined. He will spend some time with the healthy limb to determine how it functions outside of the fractured state.
      • He will examine the injury from both sides - for correct diagnosis He will need to inspect the area of ​​damage from both the front and back, as well as from the side at a 90-degree angle.
      • He will examine the two limbs above and below the area of ​​injury to determine the angle and rotation of the injury.
      • He can take x-rays twice. This is required in some cases, for example, in case of a fracture scaphoid wrists. A second x-ray will be needed approximately 10 days after the injury, as the fracture will be more clearly visible after the bone has moved back into place during this time.

   4. Do computed tomography(CT). Your doctor may advise you to get a CT scan in cases with complex fractures. A CT scan will show a detailed pattern of the fracture, much like a modern X-ray, which rotates the image of the scanned area to produce a three-dimensional image of the skeletal and soft tissues.

   5. Get a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. This is usually necessary for soft tissue injuries and osteochondritis (death of bone tissue due to poor blood flow, which can lead to bone fractures). use MRI electromagnetic waves and special computer devices.

      • Once a fracture is confirmed, patients are checked for ischemia, increased pressure at the fracture site, and nerve damage.
      • If there is no obvious fracture line, bone density, trabecular pattern, and compact bone tissue are examined.

   6. Know the types of fractures. There are a dozen ways to break a bone. Knowing what types of fractures exist can help you understand how your fracture will heal. Here are the types of fractures:

      • Stable fracture. When the edges of the fracture line remain in place opposite each other and do not move.
      • Transverse fracture. The fracture line is conditionally perpendicular to the axis tubular bone as a result of a strong, direct blow. In some cases, this happens from running for long periods of time and is called a stress fracture.
      • Oblique fracture. The fracture line extends slightly at an angle (obliquely). Typically, an oblique fracture occurs when an indirect force is applied to a bone at an oblique angle.
      • Helical fracture. A deformity or spiral fracture due to twisting of a bone (for example, when you stand on one leg and a sudden twist causes a fracture).
      • Comminuted fracture. The bone breaks into several small pieces that crumble in the area of ​​the bone injury. These fractures usually occur due to severe force on the bones, such as from car accidents.
      • Greenstick fracture. This is an incomplete oblique fracture, which occurs most often in children, since the incompletely formed bones do not break completely into two or more parts. Because children's bones are more mobile than adults, when force is applied to the bone, they bend and break slightly on only one side.
      • Comminuted fracture in the shape of butterfly wings. This fracture creates one central and two lateral cracks that form a triangle or butterfly wing shaped tear. This type of fracture is usually seen in long bones after car accidents.
      • Longitudinal fracture. the fracture line is conditionally parallel to the axis of the tubular bone.
      • Segmental fracture. The bone breaks into several large pieces as a result of a fracture at two points in the bone. Treatment usually requires internal fixation.
      • Subtle fracture. This fracture (crack) is very difficult to diagnose because it is very small. After healing, no trace of injury will remain on the damaged areas.
      • Avulsion fracture. With this fracture, a bone fragment dislocates from the main bone in the area where the ligaments attach to the joints. This can happen when after car accident they try to pull a person by the arms or legs, causing an avulsion fracture in the area of ​​the shoulders or knees.

   Part 3

   Fracture treatment

   1. Secure the bone. The main goal of treating bone fractures is to fix the damaged bone in the correct position throughout the healing process. The fixation method your doctor chooses will depend on the type and severity of the fracture. Here are the possible options:

      • Closed reduction is performed on closed fractures by moving the bone (under anesthesia, if necessary). The bone is then placed in a bandage treated with plaster or fiberglass until it heals completely.
      • However: if you have an open fracture in which the nerves and tissue surrounding the bone have been damaged, you will need an open reduction, which is done surgically under anesthesia.

   2. Know what to expect during surgery. At surgical intervention Traction methods are used to return broken bones to their normal position, i.e. the bones are physically moved to their original position. Surgical stabilization is usually required to ensure that all bone fragments have been repositioned. right places. For the best treatment outcome, it may be necessary to stabilize the joints adjacent to the bone, depending on the condition of the fracture.

      • Damaged bones are usually secured in place with screws and plates.
      • “Osteosynthesis” is used to internally secure bones with screws and plates.
      • “External fixation” occurs by placing screws on the inner layers of skin and attaching bone fragments to an outer metal frame.
      • “Internal fixation” is a procedure in which bone fragments are reduced to their normal shape, and then special screws and a metal plate are attached to the outside of the bone, or a long metal rod is placed inside the bone.

      Allow your fracture to heal with physical therapy and daily care. Every effort should be made to improve movement and flexibility and return to normal as soon as possible. physical activity. It is highly recommended that you work with a physical therapist who can show you correct exercises to restore mobility of damaged bones.

      • Your doctor will advise you to eat more foods with high content calcium and vitamin D, which play important role in strengthening bones. These substances may be prescribed to you as medicinal supplements during rehabilitation.
      • Fractures usually heal within a few months, depending on the severity of the fracture and the patient's compliance with all doctor's instructions.
   • Pain and swelling are usually the very first symptoms of a fracture, which usually begin to subside within 12 to 24 hours after the injury; increasing pain may be a sign of traumatic toxicosis.

You can get injured literally at every step. Both adults and children are at risk. And it doesn’t matter whether you are involved in a dangerous sport or just going to the kitchen to drink water - one awkward movement can lead to a blow, sprain or fracture. Therefore, you need to know how to act with the victim in different situations. The algorithm for providing first aid directly depends on the type of injury. But an inexperienced person is not always able to correctly recognize the type of damage. How can you distinguish a fracture from a bruise? This is one of the most complex issues for those learning to provide first aid. Let's try to find the answer.

What is a bruise?

A bruise is internal damage tissues or organs, not accompanied by a violation of the integrity of the skin. This type of injury can be the result of a fracture, dislocation or sprain. A bruise occurs as a result of a fall or strong blow. Soft tissues and organs located in the injured area suffer. At the site of the impact, a hematoma is formed - an accumulation of liquid or coagulated blood. If the bruise of an arm or leg was severe, the tissue around the bruise swells, impairing the mobility of the limb.

What is a fracture?

Fracture is a complete or partial disruption of the integrity of bone or cartilage. Accompanied by injury to surrounding tissues: muscles, skin, blood vessels, nerve endings. Fractures can occur for two reasons:

The fracture can be open or closed. In the first type of injury, the skin is injured and heavy bleeding. The damaged bone is visible on the surface. In type 2 injury, the skin remains intact and there is no external bleeding. A hematoma may appear.
The symptoms of a bruise and a closed fracture are very similar. At first glance, both injuries do not have any features other than a bruise. Therefore, people have a question: “How to distinguish a fracture from a blow?”

Learning to distinguish a fracture from a blow

Understanding how to distinguish a fracture from a blow is not as difficult as it might seem. Main signs:

To understand what type of injury a person has, you need to press on the damaged area in the longitudinal direction. If an arm or leg is injured, ask the patient to carefully place weight on it. If there is a fracture, it will appear sharp pain in a damaged area.
If you cannot independently determine what type of injury the victim has, you should not try to provide first aid. It is better to wait for the doctor to arrive.

How to distinguish a fracture from a bruised finger?

Understand by external signs What type of injury the victim has is not so simple. And when closed fracture, and upon impact the same symptoms appear:

You can distinguish a fracture of the little finger from a blow by the following signs:

If there is a bruise, pain in the finger will occur during physical activity. It will go away in a couple of days. If the patient has a fracture, painful sensations will only intensify over time. The swelling will also become stronger. How to distinguish a fracture from a blow yourself? Important here practical experience. There is always a chance that a person without medical education will make a mistake. Therefore, you should not treat yourself. It would be a good idea to visit the hospital and undergo an X-ray examination to get an accurate diagnosis.

Fracture or bruise of a toe - how to tell?

You can distinguish a fracture of the little toe from a blow by the same signs as the type of damage to the phalanx of the hand. Appears constant pain, which becomes unbearable within a few days. The swelling gradually increases. The finger becomes shorter. When palpated, a protrusion of the bone may be detected. If the fracture is displaced, severe deformation of the finger will be noticeable. If a toe is bruised, it will be difficult for the victim to place weight on the injured limb. As in the case of a bruised phalanx on the arm, acute pain will appear during physical activity, which will quickly pass if treated correctly. We figured out how to distinguish a fracture from a bruised toe or hand. Now let's find out how to properly provide first aid.

Actions when a limb is struck

You can provide first aid by following the algorithm below:

Treat bruises with special anti-inflammatory ointments. They relieve swelling, promote hematoma resorption and relieve pain. Recovery period after the impact lasts 7-14 days.
If a hematoma formed after a blow does not go away long time, it is recommended to consult a doctor. In rare cases, surgical intervention is required to cope with the disease.

How to help with a broken finger?

First aid for a fracture has great value For further treatment. It is important not to make the situation worse. First of all, with a closed fracture of the finger, you need to immobilize it. To do this, a tire is made from scrap materials. A pen, an ice cream stick, or a twig will do. The splint is applied with inside fingers and secure sterile bandage or any other fabric.
If the fracture is open, you need to treat the wound with an antiseptic: Chlorhexidine, hydrogen peroxide, Miramistin. If there is bleeding, apply a gauze bandage or cotton swab to the damaged area. Then the injured finger is fixed. To relieve pain symptoms, use "Analgin", "Ketanov", "Nurofen". If you have a fracture, you should definitely consult a doctor. It is impossible to cope with such trauma on your own. You learned how to distinguish a fracture from a blow. We became familiar with first aid techniques for injuring a finger or toe. By following the instructions, you can easily help the victim. But if you are not confident in your abilities, you should not touch the injured limb. Incorrectly provided first aid will only worsen the patient’s condition.

The upper extremities are susceptible to injury. One of the most typical injuries is a bruised hand in the area between elbow joint and a brush. Anatomically, this area is called the forearm. Despite the apparent simplicity of the injury and the ease of progression of the bruise, the painful condition can limit a person’s quality of life for several weeks. Moreover, the effects of some injuries can last for a long time. long period, leading to serious impairment of limb function.

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.

The painful condition is traumatic injury all tissues of the forearm without destruction of bone structures. Usually the muscles suffer subcutaneous tissue, as well as the vessels and nerves located in this area. The main cause of hand bruises is trauma due to direct strong contact of this part of the body with a hard surface.

Most often the problem occurs in the following situations:

• when falling on your hand;
• if a knuckle is injured during sparring between athletes or in a street fight;
• when hitting a hard surface;
• during careless handling of equipment in dacha conditions;
• as a result of compression by two hard objects.

Since hands are an integral part of a person’s active life, they are especially often injured during everyday or sports activities. Hand bruises occur regularly in the following population groups:

• children;
• summer residents and gardeners;
• mechanics and carpenters;
• athletes;
• elderly people;
• car enthusiasts.

The mechanism of injury is always the same - as a result of strong contact with a hard surface, the soft tissues of the forearm are damaged. This leads to a breakup small capillaries, destruction of nerve fibers, as well as muscle damage. As a result of a violation of integrity vascular wall Local hematomas are formed, and edema forms and increases in the area of ​​injury.

The main manifestations of hand bruises

The problem is always a consequence acute injury, so all symptoms develop immediately after receiving it, and then progress. The forearm is anatomically characterized by a small layer of subcutaneous fat, so with bruises there is a high probability of damage to nerve trunks and vascular lines. Bone structures are located in the same area wrist joint and small joints of the hand.

Clinical manifestations of bruise are as follows:

• severe pain in the damaged area, which radiates to the shoulder, hand, or even to the armpit;
• swelling of the tissues of the forearm;
• skin hyperemia, which then turns into long-lasting cyanosis;
• limb dysfunction;
• inability to work with a brush;
• numbness and paresthesia of the distal parts of the upper limb.

The bruise can involve the bones of the wrist, elbow, as well as neighboring parts of the limb - the shoulder or phalanges of the fingers. In this case, there is a sharp limitation in the function of the hand, it goes numb, since the painful condition is accompanied by damage to the nerve structures over a large area.

The main symptom that forces the patient to seek medical help is pain. Its strength is initially caused directly by a strong blow, and then persists due to the formation of a hematoma.

Any damage radius increase pain, but there are no visible fractures with bruises. The swelling of the arm, due to massive swelling caused by impaired circulation and lymphatic drainage, remains for several days.

As the function of the arm is restored, pain first disappears, then swelling, and only after that does it appear normal color skin. However, bruises can persist for a very long time, since their resorption strongly depends on the individual characteristics of blood counts and the strength of the traumatic impact.

There are three degrees of severity of a hand injury. Their main differences are discussed below.

• Slight bruise. The injury is limited to a small area. Bone structures and great vessels are not damaged. All clinical manifestations pass within 2 weeks.
• Injury medium degree gravity. Swelling and pain are pronounced. There is a hematoma, which is characterized by a persistent course. Individual areas of soft tissue crushing. Bone structures are intact. Convalescence occurs within a month.
• Severe bruise. Signs of soft tissue crushing and damage to periosteal structures. Sharp pain, prolonged swelling, damage to nerve trunks and great vessels. Complications often arise that require surgical treatment. Convalescence is long, symptoms of general intoxication last up to a week, and recovery takes up to 3 months.

A severe bruise cannot be cured quickly, as it often persists for a long time afterwards. neurological disorders(the hand goes numb) and the function of the limb decreases.

A long-lasting hematoma has high risk infection, which is dangerous due to the development of phlegmonous inflammation. As a result, ossification sometimes occurs, making the muscles hard, less functional, and requiring surgery.

One of the types of pathology of the distal parts of the hand is a bruised fist. It occurs due to direct contact of a limb in a compressed state with a solid object. As a result, on back surface a sharply painful lump forms in the palm of the hand below the wrist joint. This bump lasts a long time after an impact, as it is a consequence of crushing soft tissues and resulting local swelling. As a result, ossifications form at this site, which are removed surgically.

How to distinguish the manifestations of a hand bruise from a fracture

The first question facing a person who has been injured is to rule out a fracture. The table below shows the main distinctive features these pathological processes.

It is often impossible to accurately determine whether a fracture is present based on clinical data alone. Due to the individual sensitivity of the body, pain can be very difficult to bear, and tissue compaction after a bruise can simulate a fracture. Therefore, it is imperative to contact the emergency room as soon as possible for a full diagnosis of the problem.

Diagnosis of hand bruises

In most cases, the bruise is not life-threatening for the patient. However, during the diagnostic process, it is important to distinguish it from other serious injuries - fractures, sprains or ruptures of muscles and tendons. Therefore, in addition to clinical examination and studying the details of damage, shown instrumental examination. The main stages of the diagnostic search are discussed below.

• X-ray of the forearm. Helps the doctor understand whether there is a bruise or fracture of a limb, since bone structures are clearly visible during the examination.
• Ultrasound. The method provides diagnostics of the condition of soft tissues - the presence of hematomas, muscle or tendon ruptures.
• Computed tomography. If at X-ray examination questions remain regarding problems with bone structures, then you should study them layer by layer. This is ensured through CT scanning of the forearm.
• MRI. This exact method is rarely used, but it is indispensable in diagnosing processes occurring in soft tissues. MRI helps to understand whether there is a bruise or muscle strain, small tendon ruptures and hidden hematomas.

Additionally, blood tests are used to assess hemoglobin levels and acute phase parameters. All diagnostic search is carried out for a short time, as it is necessary to assess the severity of the injury.

Emergency care: general principles of treatment for a bruised hand

Since the body’s reaction to an injury develops especially strongly in a matter of minutes, it is necessary to quickly provide qualified first aid. It includes the following points:

• free your hand from clothes;
• apply cold - if it is ice, then not on the skin, but through a towel or bandage;
• ensure immobilization, since visually distinguishing signs of a bruise from a fracture is very problematic;
• give anesthetic - diagnostics in medical institution not based on subjective feelings patient, therefore taking analgesics is justified;
• transported to the hospital for examination by a doctor and x-rays.

To ensure cold, it is better to use compresses with water, periodically changing the bandage.

Traditional treatment for a bruised hand at home

Typically, a bruised hand requires treatment at home, since only patients with suspected serious injury or if it is impossible to exclude damage to the great vessels. General principles treatments include:

• taking analgesics, often from the NSAID group (diclofenac, naproxen, nimesulide);
• elastic bandage to improve hematoma resorption;
• external therapy to relieve the tumor - anticoagulants and reparants (heparin, dexpanthenol);
• if there is damage nervous system– vitamins and antispastic agents;
• in the presence of pronounced emotional reaction patient - sedatives.

If a child’s hand is swollen and hurts, then it is necessary to short terms restore its activity. Cold compresses will help saline solution, external gels for resorption of hematomas and analgesics from the paracetamol group. If they are not very effective, then only ibuprofen can be used among non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs.

The principles of treatment for hand bruises caused by a fall or after a strong blow are practically the same. The most important condition speedy recovery is the use of cold in the first minutes after injury. This will limit the size of the hematoma, which will allow for rapid treatment and restoration of activity of the upper limb.

Recovery after a hand injury and possible consequences

The problem does not apply to severe injuries, so convalescence occurs within 10-14 days. Bruises resolve, as rehabilitation progresses, they become yellowish, and then only a hyperpigmented area on the skin remains.

However, as a result of the bruise, long-term consequences may persist. These include:

• hematoma suppuration;
• compression of the midline structures of the arm, which leads to impaired blood circulation and innervation of the limb;
• muscle ossification - painful compaction in soft tissues that makes active movements difficult;
• damage to nerves and blood vessels.

The consequences of a hand injury more often occur after a fall, since the mechanism of injury is associated with the impact of body weight on upper limb. All complications are curable, but rehabilitation sometimes increases to 6 months. The therapy process includes drugs that increase blood flow to the limb, as well as improve trophism nerve tissue(peripheral vasodilators, muscle relaxants and vitamins). Sometimes it is necessary surgical treatment to eliminate ossified areas.

Conclusion

Thus, a bruised hand is painful injury, capable of depriving a person of ability to work for a long time. The consequences of damage to the forearm can remain for many years, affecting the function of the limb. Muscle ossification is especially dangerous, leading to the appearance of rough painful lumps at the site of injury. In the absence of complications, a hand bruise disappears within 2 weeks, and severe cases last up to 3 months. The sooner the patient is provided qualified assistance, the faster it will come favorable outcome injuries. In most cases conservative treatment gives positive result and provides a good prognosis for a speedy recovery.

If the pain in your arm does not go away - doctor's advice