The Importance of Speedy Treatment for Soft-Tissue Injuries
Soft-tissue injuries can result in pain, inflammation, bruising, and damage to tendons, ligaments, and muscles. Although those who lead active lifestyles are more prone to soft-tissue injuries from joint overuse, non-athletes can also suffer such injuries from a fall, accident, or other trauma. While athletes are commonly encouraged to “walk it off,” a delay in soft-tissue injury treatment could lead to increased or even permanent damage that requires surgical intervention. That’s why it is important to promptly treat all soft-tissue injuries.
Common Soft-Tissue Injuries
Painful soft-tissue injuries that can result from increased physical activity and joint overuse include:
Contusions
Also known as a bruise, a contusion is a soft tissue injury often caused by blunt force trauma that results in bleeding into the tissue under the skin.
Sprains
Most often affecting the wrists, ankles, or knees, a sprain is a partial ligament tear caused by a severe twist of the joint.
Strains
Muscles and tendons can be strained if overstretched or overused.
Tendonitis
Many athletes are afflicted by this inflammation of the tendon due to repetitive overuse. While swimmer’s shoulder and tennis elbow are common tendonitis injuries, the condition can also affect the knee, hip, ankle, wrist, and hand.
Bursitis
The bursa is a sac of fluid that counters joint friction between the bones and muscles or tendons. When it becomes inflamed due to joint overuse, painful bursitis can result.
Stress Fractures
Small fractures can occur in leg, feet, and hip bones due to extreme weight load bearing and overuse.
Soft-Tissue Injury Treatments
The most common treatment for contusions, strains, and sprains is R.I.C.E., which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. Stretching exercises can also help alleviate pain and strengthen muscles. More serious soft-tissue injuries may need to be examined by a doctor. For example, injections may be required to reduce tendonitis pain and antibiotics prescribed for bursitis infection swelling. For stress fractures, you should limit the amount of weight you put on the affected side. However, if a fractured bone leads to a break or if a sprained ligament or strained muscle is torn, surgery may be necessary.
Efficient Soft-Tissue Injury Care
Speedy treatment leads to a speedy recovery. If you have suffered a soft-tissue injury that does not respond to basic R.I.C.E. treatments, do not hesitate to contact our orthopedic surgeons. The orthopedists at AOI are here to help determine the extent of your injury and get you back on the road to recovery. Contact us today to schedule your appointment.
