A crush injury occurs when a body part is subjected to a high degree of force or pressure, usually after being squeezed between two heavy objects.

Damage related to crush injuries include:

• Bleeding
• Bruising
• Compartment syndrome (increased pressure in an arm or leg that causes serious muscle, nerve, blood vessel, and tissue damage)
• Fracture
• Laceration (open wound)
• Nerve injury
• Secondary infection

See also:

• Smashed fingers
• Wounds

Review Date: 01/13/2010
Reviewed By: Jacob L. Heller, MD, MHA, Emergency Medicine, Virginia Mason Medical Center, Seattle, Washington. Also reviewed by David Zieve, MD, MHA, Medical Director, A.D.A.M., Inc.

A.D.A.M., Inc. is accredited by URAC, also known as the American Accreditation HealthCare Commission (www.urac.org)