What might indicate serious damage in a contusion?

The presence of black and blue discoloration, commonly referred to as bruising, is a typical sign of a contusion, which occurs when small blood vessels break and leak blood into the surrounding tissue. While bruising is a normal response to contusion, when it is extensive or dark, it can suggest more significant damage to underlying structures, such as muscles or internal organs. The severity and extent of the discoloration can indicate that the impact was strong enough to cause not just superficial injury, but also deeper tissue damage or hematoma—a collection of blood outside of blood vessels.

A sharp pain located at a specific point may indicate a localized injury, but it doesn't necessarily correlate with the seriousness of a contusion itself. Immediate loss of consciousness may indicate a concussion or brain injury instead of a mere contusion, which would not directly relate to damage in the bruise itself. High fever following an injury could suggest an infection or another complication but is not a direct sign of damage due to a contusion. Therefore, while the presence of black and blue discoloration is an essential indicator of the extent of a contusion's seriousness, other symptoms may pinpoint different issues or complications resulting from the injury.