Soft Tissue Injuries: Treatment In The Subacute Phase
Soft tissue injuries affect the soft parts of the musculoskeletal system. This system is made up of tendons, ligaments and muscles. Muscle is a unit formed by a set of fibers. The fibers can shorten, by contraction, and stretch thanks to their elasticity.
Secondly, the tendon is the part of the muscle that acts as the union between the muscle and the bone. Tendons transmit force to the bone in order to produce movement. Ligaments are similar in structure to tendons. However, their function is to join and stabilize the components that form the joint. The soft tissue injuries are classified into two basic categories. We will therefore have acute injuries and those due to repeated effort.
Acute injuries
This injuries are caused by sudden trauma, such as a fall, a sprain or a strong bump. This category includes sprain, strain and contusion.
Distortion
Sprain is a stretch and / or tear of a ligament. The parts of the body most sensitive to sprains are the ankles, knees and wrists. Depending on the severity, they are classified into:
- 1st degree or mild : Slight stretching and mild damage to the ligament fibers occurs.
- 2nd degree or moderate : in this case, there is a partial tear of the ligament.
- 3rd degree or severe : the ligament tear is total, thus causing instability and making the joint non-functional.
Although of varying intensity, pain, bruising, swelling, and inflammation are common in all three degrees of the sprain.
Stretching
Strain is a soft tissue injury generally due to strain or excessive stretching. Stretches range from simple stretching to partial or complete rupture of the muscle and tendon complex. Among the most frequent symptoms we have:
- Muscle spasms.
- Cramps.
- Muscle weakness.
- Inflammation.
Bruise
The contusion is the result of direct trauma, such as a bump, which however does not compromise the integrity of the tissues involved. It is characterized by a bruise caused by the rupture of blood vessels. In addition, it can also limit the ability to move.
Treatment of acute soft tissue injuries
Treatment varies according to the type of injury and the severity. In case of acute injury, the initial treatment corresponds to the RICE protocol, an English acronym that can be translated into: rest, ice, compression and elevation.
Rest from the activity that caused the injury is essential and should be combined with the application of ice or cold packs for 20 minutes several times a day. To prevent inflammation, it is also recommended to apply a compressive elastic bandage and during rest keep the part raised above the level of the heart.
Treatment of mild sprains is done through the RICE. Moderate ones often require a period of immobilization, while more severe cases may require surgery to correct the injury.
For strains, the same treatment as for sprain is recommended: rest, ice, compression, and elevation. To this will be added some simple exercises to calm the pain and restore mobility. Most mild strains respond well to treatment with the RICE protocol
Soft tissue injury caused by repeated exertion
This type of injury occurs gradually over time. They appear in cases of continued physical activity over time, such as not to allow the body the rest period necessary to heal. Within this category, the most common injuries are tendonitis and bursitis.
Tendinitis
This soft tissue injury is inflammation or irritation of the tendon or its covering. It is usually produced by a series of repeated excessive efforts. Typical symptoms of tendonitis are inflammation and pain, which worsen with activity.
Bursitis
Bursae are small jelly-like sacs located around the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, and ankle. They contain a small amount of fluid and are found between bones and soft tissues. In doing so, they act as a bearing reducing friction. Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa and occurs as a result of repeated small efforts.
Treatment of repetitive strain injuries
In the treatment of tendonitis, rest is recommended, the use of anti-inflammatory drugs and some exercises to improve flexibility. If, on the other hand, the inflammation persists, there is a risk of significant damage to the tendon, for which surgery may also be necessary.
Bursitis can be relieved by modifying the activity that originated it and, if necessary, through the use of anti-inflammatory drugs. Finally, if it does not improve, it may be necessary to remove the liquid from the bursa.
