The most common soft tissues injured are
muscles, tendons, and ligaments
. These injuries often occur during sports and exercise activities, but sometimes simple everyday activities can cause an injury. Sprains, strains, and contusions, as well as tendinitis and bursitis, are common soft-tissue injuries.
What causes skin tissue damage?
A skin injury or wound can be open, closed or torn.
Wounds that are open run the risk of infections and closed wounds
can lead to tissue damage. A soft tissue injury (STI) can occur from a sprain, strain, contusion or overuse of a particular body area where muscles, ligaments and tendons have become damaged.
What are the symptoms of tissue damage?
- A lump or knot at the site of the injury.
- Inability to bear weight.
- Joint instability.
- Limited range of motion.
- Muscle cramping or spasms.
- Muscle weakness.
- Pain.
- Swelling.
How is tissue damage treated?
Treatment involves
rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicine
. Ice may be used in the acute phase of injury to reduce swelling. Injections may be needed if pain and swelling persist. If the bursitis is caused by an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
Can soft tissue damage be permanent?
Yes,
soft tissue injuries may be permanent if you suffer a severe contusion on the muscles, tendons or ligaments
. They may result in long-lasting effects that never properly heal. When soft tissue damage becomes catastrophic or permanent, a person’s life may change forever if they underestimate their injuries.
How long does tissue damage take to heal?
Most soft tissue injuries heal within
two to three weeks
. If you still have significant pain or stiffness one week after a finger injury or two or three weeks after other injuries, you should come back to the Emergency Department.
What does tissue death look like?
There are two main types of necrotic tissue present in wounds. One is a dry, thick, leathery tissue usually a
tan, brown, or black color
. The other is often yellow, tan, green, or brown and might be moist, loose, and stringy in appearance. Necrotic tissue will eventually become black, hard, and leathery.
What does soft tissue damage feel like?
What are the symptoms of soft tissue injuries? When soft tissue is damaged, there is usually
immediate pain along with immediate or delayed swelling
(excessive swelling can slow the healing process – see treatment below). Stiffness is also very common as a result of the trauma and swelling.
How serious is soft tissue damage?
As another factor – and one of the reasons Grade 3 injuries can end athletic careers – soft tissue injuries
may permanently change the muscle, tendon or ligament
. In turn, that body part may no longer function like it used to, which then affects how well an athlete performs.
What are the types of soft tissue injury?
- Anterior Cruciate Ligament Knee Injuries (ACL) …
- Bursitis. …
- Sprains. …
- Tendinitis. …
- Contusions. …
- Concussions.
What are the 3 stages of tissue repair?
- Inflammatory phase – This phase begins at the time of injury and lasts up to four days. …
- Proliferative phase – This phase begins about three days after injury and overlaps with the inflammatory phase. …
- Remodeling phase – This phase can continue for six months to one year after injury.
What tissue takes the longest to heal?
Fibrous connective tissues
like ligaments and tendons as well as bones, cartilage, and nerves tend to take the longest to heal.
What is a grade 3 soft tissue injury?
Grade 3:
Tears are severe and indicate complete rupture of that muscle or ligament
. This may actually be less painful then a grade 2 as the injured structure is no longer being stressed. This is a more serious injury and will often require surgery or immobilising in a plaster cast.
What is the fastest way to heal a soft tissue injury?
- Rest. Take a break from the activity that caused the injury. …
- Ice. Use cold packs for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day. …
- Compression. To prevent additional swelling and blood loss, wear an elastic compression bandage.
- Elevation.
Can tissue repair itself?
The Repair Phase
As debris from damaged tissues is removed, the inflammatory phase gradually subsides and the tissue begins to repair and rebuild itself.
Can you walk on soft tissue damage?
You have sustained a soft tissue injury (sprain) to your ankle. This can take approximately 6 weeks to heal, although pain and swelling can be ongoing for 3 to 6 months. You
may walk on the foot as comfort
allows although you may find it easier to walk with crutches in the early stages.
