Soft Tissue Injury

Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body is referred to as a soft tissue injury (STI). Common soft tissue injuries typically originate from overusing a certain body component, a one-time hit that causes a contusion, a sprain, or strain. Pain, bruising, swelling, and loss of function are all possible side effects of soft tissue injuries.

Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the soft tissues that are most frequently injured. These accidents frequently happen while participating in sports or exercising, but they can also happen while doing routine daily activities.

Sprains

A ligament, a powerful band of connective tissue that joins the end of one bone with another, is stretched or torn in a sprain. The body's joints are supported and stabilized by ligaments. For instance, the thighbone and shinbone are connected by ligaments in the knee, allowing individuals to run and walk.

Your ankles, knees, and wrists are the parts of your body most prone to sprains. When your foot inward rotates, the ligaments in your outer ankle experience extreme strain, which can result in a sprained ankle. A sudden twist can cause a sprained knee, and falling on an outstretched hand can cause a sprained wrist.

Ankle sprains frequently result from a twisting force being applied to the lower leg or foot.

Sprains are classified by severity:

Grade 1 Sprain (mild): Slight stretching and some damage to the fibers (fibrils) of the ligament.

Grade 2 Sprain (moderate): Partial tearing of the ligament. There is abnormal looseness (laxity) in the joint when it is moved in certain ways.

Grade 3 Sprain (severe): Complete tear of the ligament. This causes significant instability and makes the joint nonfunctional.

Sign and Symptoms

• Pain,
• Swelling,
• Bruising,
• Haemarthrosis,
• Decreased ability to move joint,
• Difficulty in using the extremity.

Investigations

• Plain X-ray,
• MRI,
• Arthroscopy,
• Arthrography.

Strains

A strain is an injury to a muscle and/or tendons. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to the bone. Strains often occur in your foot, leg (typically the hamstring) or back. Similar to sprains, a strain may be a simple stretch in your muscle or tendon, or it may be a partial or complete tear in the muscle-and-tendon combination.

Sign and Symptoms

• Localized Pain,
• Muscle spasm and muscle weakness,
• Swelling,
• Inflammation,
• Cramping,
• Discoloration,
• Bruising.

The recommended treatment for a strain is the same as for a sprain: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This should be followed by simple exercises to relieve pain and restore mobility. Surgery may be required for a more serious tear.

Soft Tissue injury

Damage to muscles, ligaments, and tendons throughout the body is referred to as a soft tissue injury (STI). Common soft tissue injuries typically originate from overusing a certain body component, a one-time hit that causes a contusion, a sprain, or strain. Pain, bruising, swelling, and loss of function are all possible side effects of soft tissue injuries.

Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are the soft tissues that are most frequently damaged. These accidents frequently happen while participating in sports or exercising, but they can also happen while doing routine daily activities.

Common soft-tissue injuries include tendinitis and bursitis, as well as sprains, strains, and contusions. These wounds might take a long time to recover from, even with the right care.

Sprains

A sprain is a stretch and/or tear of a ligament, a strong band of connective tissue that connect the end of one bone with another. Ligaments stabilize and support the body's joints. For example, ligaments in the knee connect the thighbone with the shinbone, enabling people to walk and run.

The areas of your body that are most vulnerable to sprains are your ankles, knees, and wrists. A sprained ankle can occur when your foot turns inward, placing extreme tension on the ligaments of your outer ankle. A sprained knee can be the result of a sudden twist, and a wrist sprain can occur when falling on an outstretched hand.

A twisting force to the lower leg or foot is a common cause of ankle sprains.

Sprains are classified by severity:

Grade 1 Sprain (mild): Slight stretching and some damage to the fibers (fibrils) of the ligament.

Grade 2 Sprain (moderate): Partial tearing of the ligament. There is abnormal looseness (laxity) in the joint when it is moved in certain ways.

Grade 3 Sprain (severe): Complete tear of the ligament. This causes significant instability and makes the joint nonfunctional.

Sign and Symptoms

• Pain,
• Swelling,
• Bruising,
• Haemarthrosis,
• Decreased ability to move joint,
• Difficulty in using the extremity.

Investigations

• Plain X-ray,
• MRI,
• Arthroscopy,
• Arthrography.

Strains

Straon is an injury to a muscle and/or tendons. Tendons are fibrous cords of tissue that attach muscles to the bone. Strains often occur in your foot, leg (typically the hamstring) or back. Similar to sprains, a strain may be a simple stretch in your muscle or tendon, or it may be a partial or complete tear in the muscle-and-tendon combination.

Sign and Symptoms

• Localized Pain,
• Muscle spasm and muscle weakness,
• Swelling,
• Inflammation,
• Cramping,
• Discoloration,
• Bruising.

The recommended treatment for a strain is the same as for a sprain: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This should be followed by simple exercises to relieve pain and restore mobility. Surgery may be required for a more serious tear.

Treatment for Strain and Sprain

The first modality for a sprain can be remembered using the acronym RICE. The treatment of sprains depends on the extent of an injury and the joint involved. Medications like non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can relieve pain. Topical NSAIDs appear to be as good as those taken by mouth.

• Rest: The sprain should be rested. No additional force should be applied on a site of the sprain. In a case of, for example, a sprained ankle, walking should be kept to a minimum.
• Ice: Ice should be applied immediately to the sprain to reduce swelling and pain. It can be applied for 10–15 minutes at a time (longer application of ice may cause damage instead of healing), 3-4 times a day. Ice can be combined with a wrapping to minimize swelling and provide support.
• Compression: Dressings, bandages, or ace-wraps should be used to immobilize the sprain and provide support. When wrapping the injury, more pressure should be applied at the far end of the injury and decrease in the direction of the heart; the reason for this is that it more easily causes unnecessary fluid to be flushed back up the blood stream in order to be recycled. Compression should not cut off the circulation of the limb.
• Elevation: Keeping the sprained joint elevated (in relation to the rest of the body) will also help minimize swelling.

Ice and compression (cold compression therapy) will not completely stop swelling and pain, but will help to minimize them as the sprain begins to heal itself. Careful management of swelling is critical to the healing process as additional fluid may pool in the sprained area

Common Overuse Soft-Tissue Injuries

Tendinitis: Tiny tears in the Achilles' tendon cause it to swell and thicken. Tendinitis is an inflammation or irritation of a tendon or the covering of a tendon (called a sheath). It is caused by a series of small stresses that repeatedly aggravate the tendon. Symptoms typically include swelling and pain that worsens with activity.

Bursitis: Bursae, are small, jelly-like sacs that are located throughout the body, including around the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and heel. They contain a small amount of fluid and are positioned between bones and soft tissues, acting as cushions to help reduce friction.

Bursitis is inflammation of a bursa. Repeated small stresses and overuse can cause the bursa in the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee or ankle to swell. Many people experience bursitis in association with tendinitis.