Sprains, strains and fractures of your soft tissues result in immediate care and depending on the severity, surgery might be an option. After an injury, your ankle joints and muscles may be stiff, and your range of motion may be limited. Rehab for an ankle injury should be done slowly, properly and carefully.
What causes soft tissue injury?
Types of Soft Tissue Injuries
- Sprains. Thick bands of connective tissue known as ligaments provide support to different parts of the body. ...
- Strains. The muscles are responsible for moving different parts of the body. ...
- Contusions. A blow that causes bruising of the soft tissue and often discoloration of the overlying skin is known as a contusion.
- Tendonitis. ...
- Bursitis. ...
What are the symptoms of soft tissue injury?
What are the most common soft tissue injuries?
- Ankle Spain (see exercise routine below)
- Back Strain (see article on back pain)
- Calf Strain
- Golfers/Tennis elbow
- Hamstring strain
What are the most common soft tissue injuries?
Soft tissue injuries range from minor ankle and wrist sprains, to devastating tears in tendons and ligaments. If left untreated, these soft tissue injuries can cause chronic pain, and also make you more vulnerable to other injuries and complications.
How are soft tissue injuries diagnosed?
Some signs and symptoms of soft tissue injuries include:
- Pain – Degree of pain may vary according to the severity of the injury.
- Swelling – The injured area or the joint is often swollen. ...
- Tenderness – Any sort of pressure on the injured area results in pain which can increase gradually, if not treated in time.
What is the first step you should take when treating someone is soft tissue injury?
RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation.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.
How should a soft tissue injury be immediately treated?
The immediate treatment of any soft tissue injury consists of the RICER protocol – rest, ice, compression, elevation and referral. RICE protocol should be followed for 48–72 hours. The aim is to reduce the bleeding and damage within the joint.
What is the first aid for ankle injury?
Self-careRest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort.Ice. Use an ice pack or ice slush bath immediately for 15 to 20 minutes and repeat every two to three hours while you're awake. ... Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the ankle with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ... Elevation.
How do you treat ankle tissue damage?
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. For a serious tear, the soft tissues may need to be repaired surgically.
How is soft tissue 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.
What is the procedure for assessing soft tissue injuries?
The R.I.C.E.D. procedure (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation, Diagnosis) should be followed for soft tissue injuries (sprains, strains and bruises – the most common sports injuries), consumption of alcohol should be avoided and the injury should be medically assessed.
What is the best first aid method for injury treatment?
Wounds first aidControl bleeding. Use a clean towel to apply light pressure to the area until bleeding stops (this may take a few minutes). ... Wash your hands well. ... Rinse the wound. ... Dry the wound. ... Replace any skin flaps if possible. ... Cover the wound. ... Seek help. ... Manage pain.
What is the first aid treatment for a sprain or strain?
Rest the patient and the injury. Apply an icepack (cold compress) wrapped in a wet cloth to the injury for 15 minutes every 2 hours for 24 hours and then for 15 minutes every 4 hours for 24 hours. Apply a compression elastic bandage firmly to the injury that extends well beyond the injury. Elevate the injured part.
What is first aid Pricer?
This is an acronym for protection, rest, ice, compression, and elevation. The goal of this treatment is to: Reduce pain and swelling. Lay the foundation for a good rehabilitation.
What is a soft tissue ankle injury?
What is a soft tissue injury? Soft tissue injuries (STI) are when trauma or overuse occurs to muscles, tendons or ligaments. Most soft tissue injuries are the result of a sudden unexpected or uncontrolled movement like stepping awkwardly off a curb and rolling over your ankle.
How do you wrap an ankle?
3:003:51Ankle Wrapping Technique - Mayo Clinic - YouTubeYouTubeStart of suggested clipEnd of suggested clipCome around the Achilles underneath the foot and bring it back up over the foot on the other. Side IMoreCome around the Achilles underneath the foot and bring it back up over the foot on the other. Side I will split the malleolus on the medial aspect around the Achilles back underneath the foot.
Is a sprained ankle a soft tissue injury?
Soft tissue injuries include the following conditions: Sprains, especially of the ankle and wrist. Strains, especially in the back, calf and hamstring.
How to treat soft tissue injury?
Tips For Treating Soft Tissue Injuries 1 Contact your Physical Therapist immediately if you sustain a soft tissue injury. 2 Use the RICE (rest, ice, compression, elevation) principle when a soft tissue injury occurs. 3 Gentle, controlled motions will begin to restore the normal status of the injured tissue. 4 Healing of soft tissue takes months and not weeks. 5 Returning to full activity that uses the injured tissue should commence when there is no pain at rest and minimal pain during the activity.
What will begin to restore the normal status of the injured tissue?
Gentle, controlled motions will begin to restore the normal status of the injured tissue.
What is the physical therapy evaluation?
If a patient is suffering from a soft tissue injury, the Physical Therapist begins with an evaluation to determine what tissue type is injured, what symptoms are present, and what is the stage of healing (such as acute, sub-acute or chronic). Based on this evaluation, a rehabilitation program is initiated. For the purpose of this blog we will discuss the acute and sub-acute phase and the “normal” symptoms that someone would experience if they suffered an injury.
How to control inflammation in a sprain?
This will help stimulate healing of the injured tissue. The best way to begin to control inflammation is by using ice. Ice is a great analgesic and removes the heat from tissue, slowing down the effects of the enzyme reaction.
What happens when one or more of these tissues are injured?
If one or more of these tissues are injured, the following sequence of events naturally begins within the injured tissue to prevent further injury and initiate the healing process: 1. The body begins protecting itself to prevent further injury.
How to restore normal motion?
The use of specific manual therapy techniques will help to restore normal motion and an exercise program will be implemented to restore the muscles ability to respond and move the body. The natural healing process reproduces collagen fibers and “lays” them down to “patch” the injury site.
Is soft tissue injury common?
Soft tissue injuries are pretty common. In fact, most of the injuries that out-patient, orthopaedic Physical Therapists treat are associated with soft tissue injuries. The good news is that the patient will usually enjoy full recovery.
Discharge Advice
Continue with your normal activities and keep your ankle mobile by pointing your toes and bringing them back up. This will prevent your ankle becoming stiff and promote your circulation.
Should you have any worries or concerns following discharge from the hospital you can contact us
If you are still in pain after this time then please also discuss your follow up care with your GP.
What are the effects of soft tissue injury?
Many activities can lead to soft-tissue damage of muscles, ligaments, and tendons. The result can be pain, swelling, bruising, and damage. Soft-tissue injuries are classified as the following: Athletes and nonathletes share many similar soft-tissue injuries.
What is the treatment for a strain?
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, and is often caused by overuse, force, or stretching. The treatment for a strain is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E). If a tear in the muscle occurs, surgical repair may be needed.
What is a sprain?
A sprain is a partial tear to a ligament and is often caused by a wrench or twist. Sprains often affect the ankles, knees, or wrists. The treatment for a sprain includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). If the ligament is completely torn, surgical repair may be necessary.
What is tendonitis?
Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon, a flexible band of tissue that connects muscle to bones. Tendonitis is often due to an overuse injury in the affected area from repetitive motion. Areas commonly affected include the elbow, hand, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Often the tendonitis is named for the sport or movement that triggers the inflammation, such as tennis or golfer's elbow, swimmer's shoulder, and jumper's knee.
What is ligament injury?
Disclaimer. Ligaments are fibrous, elastic bands of tissue that connect and stabilize the bones. An ankle sprain is a common, painful injury that occurs when one or more of the ankle ligaments is stretched beyond the normal range of motion. Sprains can occur as a result of sudden twisting, turning or rolling movements.
How to treat bursitis?
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.
What causes a stress fracture in the lower leg?
Stress fractures are most often caused by overuse and increase in physical activity. Initial treatment includes stopping the activity that caused the fracture, elevation, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Continued treatment includes rest, decreasing weight-bearing on the affected area, shoe inserts or braces, and possibly cast immobilization. If the crack in the bone progresses further to a complete break, surgery may be required.
Evaluating A Soft Tissue Injury
Soft Tissue and Healing
- These injuries commonly occur in the tendon, ligament and muscle (skeletal) tissues. In most cases, all of these are able to regenerate and heal. The rate of healing is based on the amount of blood flow. Among these tissues, skeletal muscle has the greatest supply of blood. Tendons and ligaments are categorized as hypo-vascularized, and they have limited blood flow. If one or mor…
Initial Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries
- If you suffer a sprain or strain, it is important to control the inflammatory process. This will help stimulate healing of the injured tissue. The best way to begin to control inflammation is by using ice. Ice is a great analgesic and removes the heat from tissue, slowing down the effects of the enzyme reaction. The inflammatory process can inhibit...
Treatment For Long-Term Recovery
- While the injured tissue will heal without any treatment, Physical Therapy treatment will speed up the process and improve long-term rehabilitation. We recommend “active rest” instead of total immobility as the best plan for soft tissue rehabilitation. Gentle, controlled motion and exercises can help stimulate the healing process without causing more damage. The Physical Therapist w…