Sprains, strains, and tears to muscles, tendons, and ligaments are some of the most common types of personal injuries. Known as soft tissue injuries, they can occur in a variety of situations. While victims may at first be tempted to brush off these types of injuries as mild and requiring only a brief recovery period, the fact is they can result in long-term disabilities and the need for ongoing medical care.
Common Causes and Types of Soft Tissue Injuries
According to the American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons (AAOS), soft tissue injuries can occur as the result of overuse at work or due to overexertion in sports activities, as well as due to sudden blows or impacts, such as in a car accident or slip and fall. Regardless of the cause, once a soft tissue injury has occurred it can take a significant amount of time to heal and may develop into a chronic condition. Even with proper care and treatment, the injured spot is often vulnerable to reinjury in the future. Common types of soft tissue injuries include:
Overuse Injuries
- Tendonitis: This involves inflammation and irritation of the tendons due to repeated stress. It can occur in the shoulders, arms, legs, or feet
- Bursitis: This involves inflammation and irritation of bursae, which are small, jelly-like sacs that may fill with fluid. This typically occurs in the shoulders, elbows, hips, knees, and heels.
Acute Soft Tissue Injuries
- Strains: These range from mild stretches to severe tears of the ligaments, which connect the bones and act to stabilize and support the body. They often occur in the wrists, knees, and ankles.
- Strains: These affect muscles and tendons, cords attaching the muscles to bones. They often occur in the foot, leg, or back, and similar to strains, may involve minor stretching or complete tears.
- Contusions: Contusions appear as bruising due to direct blows. They crush the underlying muscles and tissues and can result in permanent tissue damage.
Treating Soft Tissue Injuries
Symptoms of soft tissue injuries typically include pain, swelling, muscle spasms, and limited ability to move or use the affected body part. The Mayo Clinic states that diagnosis requires a thorough examination by your doctor, who may use x-rays or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) to determine the exact extent of the injury. Treatment of soft tissue injuries usually involves the following:
- Medications for pain and anti-inflammatories to reduce swelling
- The R.I.C.E. approach, which stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation, in the days and weeks immediately after the injury
- Surgery to repair any torn ligaments, muscles, or tendons
- Physical therapy, to increase flexibility and increase muscle tone in the area
Contact Our Office Today
If you or a loved one has suffered an injury as a result of another party’s negligent or reckless actions, contact a Virginia personal injury attorney from Shapiro, Washburn & Sharp. Our firm has almost four decades of experience advocating for accident victims and getting them the financial compensation they deserve.
It is critical to remember that Virginia has placed a statute of limitation for how long victims have to file a claim for damages against those responsible for their injuries, so do not delay. Failure to file before that legal deadline could mean you lose any chance of ever filing your claim or getting justice against the person responsible for you or your loved one’s injuries. Contact our office today to schedule a free and confidential case evaluation.
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