Traumatic contusion or haematoma S003

Current RMA Instruments

Changes from previous Instruments

ICD Coding

ICD-10-AM Codes: H11.3, S00, S20, S30, S40, S50, S60, S70, S80, S90, T11.05, T13.05, T14.05

Brief description

A traumatic contusion or haematoma (bruise) involves a blood collection in the skin, tissue or organ as a result of a direct blow or injury. This type of tissue damage and internal bleeding

Some haematomas can compress surrounding structures such as nerves, and vessels. An acute compartment syndrome due to the blood collection is considered an integral manifestation of the contusion.

Confirming the diagnosis

The diagnosis can be made, based on the clinical examination, by a medical practitioner. Imaging tests may be requested to assess for more serious injuries but these investigations are not required for confirmation of this diagnosis. 

Diagnoses covered by these SOPs

• Contusion of organs including the heart, pericardium, lung, pleura, liver, spleen, and kidneys
• Contusions of bone
• Contusions of joints
• Contusion of the eye or orbit
• Conjunctival (subconjuctival) haemorrhage
• Scleral haemorrhage (of the eye)
• Contusion of skin or subcutaneous tissues
• Haematoma of skin or subcutaneous tissues

Conditions not covered by these SOPs

• Blood collection/haematoma in an internal organ *
• Blood collection/haematoma associated with a fracture *
• Blood collection/haematoma associated with muscle injury #
• Blood collection associated with subarachnoid haemorrhage #
• Blood collection associated with subdural haemorrhage #
• Blood collection associated with extradural haemorrhage #
• Cerebrovascular accident #
• Moderate to severe traumatic brain injury #

* another SoP applies  - the SoP has the same name unless otherwise specified

# non-SOP condition

Clinical onset

Clinical date of onset will be on the day of the the injury. Symptoms will be typical of bruising with the skin at the affected site becoming purple, blue or black due to the accumulation of blood under the skin. There is often associated swelling, tenderness and reported pain. 

Clinical worsening

Contusions or bruises typically resolve without complications within days to weeks with simple supportive care. Severe contusions or larger bruises may take longer to heal and occasionally may require drainage. Severe contusions can lead to complications such as compartment syndrome (increased pressure develops within the muscles affected with potential damage to tissue due to blood flow being restricted).