Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft-tissue injuries occur due to trauma or injuries to ligaments, tendons, and muscles. This can be due to various daily life activities or sudden uncontrolled or unexpected movements like rolling over your ankle or stepping awkwardly off a curb. Soft tissue injuries can result in swelling, bruising, and pain. These injuries are classified as sprains, bursitis, stress fractures, tendonitis, bruises, and strains.
- Sprain- It is a partial tear of a ligament and is often caused by a twist or a wrench. It usually affects the knees, ankles, wrists, or spine. R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression, and elevation) method is used to treat a mild sprain and moderate sprains are treated with physiotherapy. Surgery is done for cases where the ligament is completely torn.
- Bursitis- It occurs when fluid-filled sacs become inflamed due to friction between bones and muscles near a joint leading to stiffness and soreness around that area. Bursitis is generally caused by overuse, but can also be caused by direct injury to a joint. Shoulders, elbows, ankles, feet, knees, and hips are commonly affected by bursitis. Ice may be used immediately after an injury to reduce swelling and injections are needed if pain and swelling continue. Surgeries are rarely needed in case of bursitis and it is generally treated with the R.I.C.E. method. Antibiotics are prescribed if it is caused by infection.
- Stress Fractures- These are tiny cracks in bones usually caused by repetitive motions such as running which causes severe pain at those sites while straining involves overstretching muscle fibers resulting in pulled muscles with sharp pains during movement followed by aches after rest periods. It commonly occurs in the weight-bearing bones of the legs, hips, and feet. At first, it is treated using the R.I.C.E. method and continued treatment includes decreasing weight-bearing on the affected area, proper rest, and shoe inserts or braces. Surgery is needed in cases where the crack in the bone progresses to a complete break.
- Tendonitis- It is inflammation of tendons (bands of tissues that connects muscle to bones) caused by overuse or repetitive motion resulting in pain and swelling at certain joints. It is often caused due to an overuse injury from repetitive motion and the foot, ankle, knee, hip, shoulder, wrist, hand, and elbow are most commonly affected. It is treated using rest, compression, anti-inflammatory medicines, and elevation. Steroid injections may be used for some types of tendonitis if chronic pain persists and surgery may be needed if a tendon is completely torn.
- Bruise- It occurs when small blood vessels break under the skin causing discoloration of the area around it. It is usually caused by a blunt force like a fall or kick. Bruises cause pain, swelling, and decolouration due to bleeding in the tissue. These are generally treated using the R.I.C.E method and serious bruises are examined by a doctor.
- Strain- It is an injury to a muscle or tendon, typically caused by overuse or excessive force. Treatment for a strain usually involves the R.I.C.E. method, as well as prescribed stretching and strengthening exercises from a medical professional to help heal and prevent further injury from occurring. In more severe cases where there has been a tear in the muscle or tendon, surgical repair may be necessary for full recovery of the affected area.
For any surgical problem or orthopaedic problem contact Dr. Rahul Grover, Glyra Orthopaedics, and here.
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