The evaluation of a chest contusion begins with a medical history and physical examination.

Physical findings in a person with a chest contusion may include:

• Tenderness to the chest wall
• Tenderness overlying the costochondral junction
• Chest swelling
• Chest bruising

Usually, testing is not necessary to make the diagnosis of chest contusion.

Tests that may be used to evaluate a chest contusion include:

• Chest x-ray:
• Normal chest x-ray
• Collapsed lung
• Pulse oximetry
• Rib x-rays
• Sternum x-ray

Additional tests that may be used to evaluate a chest contusion include:

• CT scan of the chest
• EKG

For more information:

• Rib fracture evaluation
• Traumatic pneumothorax evaluation
• Myocardial contusion evaluation
• Pulmonary contusion evaluation