May also be called: Bruise A contusion (kun-TOO-zhun), or bruise, of the lower leg is an injury to the skin and underlying tissue of the lower leg. More to Know A contusion, or bruise, forms when soft tissue in the body is crushed but the skin doesn't break. When this happens, blood from broken capillaries (small blood vessels) near the skin's surface may leak out under the skin. With no place to go, the blood gets trapped, often forming a red or purplish mark that hurts when you touch it. As a contusion heals, it may turn different colors, from red and purple to black and blue and then to green, yellow, and light brown before fading away. Keep in Mind Applying a cold compress to a contusion may help minimize swelling and bruising. Seek medical attention if a contusion doesn't heal or continues to be painful. All A to Z dictionary entries are regularly reviewed by KidsHealth medical experts. Back to Articles Related Articles A to Z: Contusion (Bruise), Ankle Learn more about ankle contusions (bruises). Read More A to Z: Contusion (Bruise), Hip Learn more about contusions (bruises) of the hip. Read More A to Z: Contusion (Bruise), Knee Learn more about contusions (bruises) of the knee. Read More Word! Bruise When you bang a part of your body against something, your skin might turn different colors where you bumped it. Read More First Aid & Safety Center Boo-boos, bug bites, and broken bones - oh my! Here's your one-stop shop for everything you need to know about how to keep kids safe. Read More Bruises This article is all about bruises, including why they happen, how to make them go away faster, and why they turn all those funny colors. Read More Blount Disease Blount disease is a growth disorder that causes the bones of the lower leg to bow outward. This gets worse if it's not treated, so early diagnosis is very important. Read More Blount Disease Blount disease is a growth disorder that affects the bones of the lower leg. It causes bowing of the leg below the knee, which gets worse if it's not treated. Read More Hamstring Strain A hamstring strain happens when one or more of the muscles in the back of the leg gets stretched too far and starts to tear. Find out how to treat hamstring strains in this article for teens. Read More Quadriceps Contusion Quadriceps contusions are common in sports that have a lot of direct contact or a chance of collisions or wipeouts. Find out what to do if you get one - and how to avoid them. Read More What's a Bruise? Have you ever had a bruise that turned a bunch of different colors before it went away? Find out why in this article for kids. Read More Note: All information is for educational purposes only. For specific medical advice, diagnoses, and treatment, consult your doctor. © 1995-2021 KidsHealth®. All rights reserved. Images provided by The Nemours Foundation, iStock, Getty Images, Veer, Shutterstock, and Clipart.com.