Hematoma

A hematoma ( from Ancient Greek αἷμα haima " blood ") is a discharge of blood from injured blood vessels in the body tissue or pre-existing body cavity. A hematoma is therefore also called bruising, bruise or ( eye) violets.

The cause and progression

Hematomas are usually bleeding events in the subcutaneous area, caused by excessive force from the outside, such as impact, shock, fall or after an operation. You can swell up and be painful. However, they can also occur in the case of hemophilia without direct trauma. Usually a bruise by itself in the course of two to three weeks heals. In the course of healing appear different colors, because the blood residues are eliminated from the body. The phases can be explained as follows:

By immediately cool the injured area, the pain and the spread can be contained, as to contract the blood vessels and thus it emerges less blood.

A hematoma of the periosteum is accompanied by a violent pain; medium term there may be pressure sensitive, may permanently exist consistent, palpable induration come. For the initial treatment is the PECH - rule (pause - Ice - Compression - High bearings ) must be observed; possibly is to use an anticoagulant ointments. It frequently happens in the shin, as the bone is hardly protected by intervening tissue or muscles with a bruise as it happens about by a blow with an edged object, or by a fall from a staircase edge.

Dangerous be hematoma in the area of ​​the brain (see brain hemorrhage ) and inner hematoma, as in haemophilia or are taking anticoagulant ( " blood-thinning " ) medications (eg, warfarin ). In the latter case hematoma can already be triggered by a minor trauma. Also in the ( bearing ) joints such as the knee, ankle, hip may occur and contribute to the development of osteoarthritis occurs repeatedly bloody effusion. Hematoma in muscle compartments, eg caused by a " dead leg ", can lead to a compartment syndrome and make a fasciotomy required in extreme cases.

Development of the disease of myelodysplastic syndrome occur all over the body to more and more bruises.