Soft Tissue Injuries Topic under Trauma.

Medical Surgical Nursing course

1. S O F T T I SSUE I N J U R I ES B Y C H I Y U MBA IMBUWA G I F T B

2. I N T R O D U C T ION Soft tissue injury refers to damage to the soft tissues of the body, which include muscles, tendons, ligaments, fascia and skin.

3. T ypes of soft tissue injuries 1 . Contusions (Bruises)- A contusion occurs when blood vessels are damaged, causing blood to leak into the surrounding tissue. 2 . Strains- A strain occurs when a muscle or tendon is stretched or torn.

4. c o n t . . Types of Strains A . Mild strain- A slight stretching or tearing of muscle or tendon fibers. B . Moderate strain- A more significant tearing of muscle or tendon fibers. C . Severe strain- A complete tear of a muscle or tendon .

5. cont . . . 3 . Sprains- A sprain occurs when a ligament is stretched or torn. Types of Sprains A . Mild sprain- A slight stretching or tearing of ligament fibers. B . Moderate sprain- A more significant tearing of ligament fibers. C . Severe sprain- A complete tear of a ligament .

6. cont . . . 4 . Tendinitis- Tendinitis is inflammation of a tendon, often caused by repetitive strain or overuse. 5 . Bursitis- Bursitis is inflammation of a fluid-filled sac (bursa) that cushions joints and reduces friction. 6 . Plantar Fasciitis- Plantar fasciitis is inflammation of the plantar fascia, a band of tissue that supports the arch of the foot

7. cont . . . 7 . Muscle Cramps- A muscle cramp is a sudden, involuntary contraction of a muscle. 8 . Compartment Syndrome- Compartment syndrome is a condition where pressure builds up within a muscle compartment, leading to pain, swelling, and weakness

8. C ause s of s o f t tissue injury * Trauma- Direct blows, falls or collisions. * Overuse- Repetitive strain or stress on soft tissues. * Poor biomechanics- Abnormal movement patterns or posture.

9. cont . . . * Sports and exercise- Injuries from athletic activities. * Crushes * Infections

10. S igns and symptoms of soft tissue injuries * Pain- Ache, sharp pain, or stiffness. * Swelling- Inflammation or edema. * Bruising- Blood leakage into soft tissues. * Limited mobility- Reduced range of motion or stiffness. * Weakness- Decreased strength or function

11. P revention of soft tissue injuries * Warm-up and cool-down- Gradually increasing and decreasing exercise intensity. * Proper training- Learning correct techniques and movement patterns. * Strengthening exercises- Building strong muscles and connective tissues.

12. c o n t . . . * Flexibility exercises- Maintaining range of motion and flexibility. * Protective gear- Wearing protective equipment such as knee pads or elbow pads

13. M a n a gement a nd treatment of soft tissue injuries * Rest- Avoiding activities that aggravate the injury. * Ice- Applying cold packs to reduce inflammation. * Compression- Using bandages or wraps to support the affected area . * Medications- Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxants .

14. C o n t . . . * Elevation- Elevating the affected area to reduce swelling. Elevation w i ll a l s o i n c r e ase b l o od flow to the a f f e cted a r e a t o w h i c h w i ll p r o m ote h e a l i ng . * Physical therapy- Stretching, strengthening and mobilizing exercises.

15. C o n t . . . * Medications- Pain relievers, anti-inflammatory medications or muscle relaxants. * I n f e c t ion p r e v e ntion - E n s u r e t he a f f e cted area i s k e p t c l ean , u s e p r e s c r ibed a n t i biotics t o k i l l b a c t e r ia .

16. C omplications of soft tissue injuries * Infection- Infection can occur if bacteria enter the wound, leading to conditions like cellulitis or abscesses. * Chronic Pain- Soft tissue injuries can lead to chronic pain, which can be debilitating and affect daily life. * Scar Tissue Formation- Scar tissue can form during the healing process, leading to reduced mobility and flexibility.

17. cont . . . * Adhesions- Adhesions can form between soft tissues, leading to reduced mobility and chronic pain. * Nerve Damage- Soft tissue injuries can cause nerve damage, leading to numbness or permanent nerve damage. * Tendon or Ligament Rupture- Severe soft tissue injuries can cause tendon or ligament rupture, requiring surgical intervention.

18. cont.. . * Myositis Ossification- Myositis ossification is a condition where bone tissue forms within a muscle, leading to reduced mobility and chronic pain. * Long-term Disability- Severe soft tissue injuries can lead to long-term disability, affecting daily life and occupation .

19. References A Clinical Guide, Soft Tissue Injuries (2018) D. M. Kramer. Soft Tissue Injuries (2020) Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 50(5), 251-262. Sports Injuries: Prevention, Diagnosis and Treatment (2019) M. K. Singh The Diagnosis and Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries (2019) Journal of Clinical Rheumatology: Practical Reports on Rheumatic & Musculoskeletal Diseases, 15(3), 143-148.