Contusion, also known as a bruise, is an injury to tissue or bone caused by blood vessels rupturing or breaking and bleeding into the surrounding tissue. This causes discoloration that turns into a bruise. Contusions usually result from a hard hit, fall, or blow. The bleeding can put pressure on nerve endings, causing pain when the area is touched. Contusions are more common in elderly people due to more delicate blood vessels, and can also be caused by medications that interfere with blood clotting. Physiotherapy treatments for contusions include following the PRICE protocol of protection, rest, ice application, compression, and elevation.