Soft tissue injuries come in many forms and are relatively common. They can happen to anyone, from athletes to white-collar workers. Left untreated, a serious soft tissue injury can lead to symptoms like chronic pain. Symptoms can range from mild discomfort to persistent pain, swelling, and other symptoms. Being proactive in addressing your injury can be key to finding relief. By learning more about soft tissue injuries and how they are treated, you should be able to get a better understanding of your own condition.

What is a soft tissue injury?

A soft tissue injury is an injury that damages soft tissue somewhere in the body. Muscles, tendons, and ligaments are all different kinds of soft tissue. Bruising your leg is a kind of soft tissue injury, and so is spraining your wrist. Soft tissue injuries may occur for many different reasons. In many cases, they are caused by a sudden movement or physically traumatic impact. However, soft tissue injuries can also be caused by gradual overuse and irritation. If you’ve recently sustained a soft tissue injury, understanding your injury can be key to seeking the right kind of treatment. A mild injury might just need rest, while a more serious injury may require medical intervention or physical therapy.

Soft tissue injuries are typically classified based on the type of tissue involved and the severity of the damage. Some examples of soft tissue injuries include:

• Sprains — A sprain happens when a ligament is stretched too far or torn. A ligament is a tough band of tissue that functions to keep your bones connected. Sprains often occur in the ankles, knees, and wrists. They are usually caused by twisting or falling.
• Strains — Strains are injuries to muscles or tendons. A tendon is a piece of connective tissue that binds muscles to bones. When a tendon or muscle is stretched too far or torn, the result is a strain. Strains are often the result of overuse or sudden movements. Common examples include hamstring strains and lower back strains.
• Bruises — Bruises, also known as contusions, occur when blood vessels under the skin are damaged. This often occurs due to a direct impact. Bruising tends to be visible. Bruises can change the appearance of your skin in the affected area. Depending on the severity of your bruise and how long you’ve been recovering, your bruise may take on a range of colors including red, purple, and green. While they may look alarming, bruises typically heal on their own with time. Treatment methods like physical therapy may help you speed up recovery and reduce your risk of future soft tissue injuries.
• Bursitis — A bursa is a small fluid-filled sac located between joints. Bursae serve to cushion joints, protecting them from the force of repetitive impacts. When bursae take on too much stress, they can become irritated. Bursitis occurs when the bursae get inflamed. This condition often develops from repetitive motions that put prolonged pressure on a joint, such as kneeling or throwing. If you kneel frequently, the pressure you put on your knee joint may lead to bursitis in your knee.
• Tendinitis — Tendinitis refers to inflammation or irritation of a tendon. This kind of injury is often caused by repetitive stress or overuse. Common examples of tendinitis include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and Achilles tendinitis. Like many other soft tissue injuries, tendinitis may be prevented by resting and avoiding overuse.

What are some of the best treatments for soft tissue injuries?

Different soft tissue injuries tend to require different treatments. However, there are some treatment goals that are generally consistent for most kinds of soft tissue injuries. These goals include restoring mobility, preventing future injuries, and reducing pain and swelling. Some treatment methods intended to work toward these recovery goals include:

• Rest — Rest tends to be one of the first and most important steps in treating a soft tissue injury. After sustaining an injury, resting the injured area can help prevent further damage while you’re vulnerable. Rest also allows your body to begin the healing process unimpeded. Depending on the severity of your injury, you may need to limit or avoid certain activities for a period of time. Your physical therapist can provide guidance on how long you need to avoid various kinds of activities while you recover.
• Targeted exercises — As your injury begins to heal, targeted exercises can help boost your recovery. Exercise is often a key component of an effective physical therapy treatment plan. Targeted exercises can help improve your strength, flexibility, and range of motion. If you seek PT treatment, your physical therapist will work with you to design an exercise program tailored to your injury and recovery goals. For example, after an ankle sprain, exercises might focus on improving balance and strengthening the muscles supporting your ankle joint.
• Manual therapy — Manual therapy refers to hands-on physical therapy techniques. Using these techniques, your physical therapist can directly address your symptoms. Manual therapy may help improve your blood flow, increase your range of motion, and alleviate pain. The best manual therapy techniques for you will depend on your particular condition. Your physical therapist may use techniques like trigger point therapy and soft tissue manipulation to target tight muscles and restricted areas. If you want a provider who can offer top-notch manual therapy treatments, look for a provider with a Certification in Orthopedic Manual Physical Therapy (COMT). Physical therapists with this certification have in-depth training in orthopedic manual therapy techniques. This training can enable them to use advanced clinical techniques and deliver optimal results.

Steps involved in soft tissue injury treatment

Recovering from a soft tissue injury is not instantaneous. The process typically involves several phases. Each step is essential for ensuring proper healing and preventing re-injury. To get a better understanding of the typical treatment journey, it might help to have an example. Let’s take the example of a patient who has recently sustained an ankle sprain.

Ankle sprains are among the most common soft tissue injuries. Studies show that approximately 2 million ankle sprains occur each year in the United States alone. In many cases, these sprains require professional treatment. After receiving any necessary immediate medical attention, someone with a sprained ankle might seek PT treatment. The first step in treatment is an initial consultation.

The initial consultation is important. During your first meeting with your physical therapist, they may evaluate your injury and gather relevant health information. Your physical therapist may ask questions about your symptoms, your medical history, and how your injury occurred. This assessment is also a good time to ask questions of your own. You can ask your physical therapist about what you can expect during treatment, what treatments they offer, what your recovery timeline might look like, and more.

After assessing your condition, your physical therapist will start developing your treatment plan. Your treatment plan will be customized based on your specific needs and goals. This plan typically includes short- and long-term strategies for recovery. For an ankle sprain, the short-term goals might focus on reducing swelling and pain. To achieve these goals, your physical therapist may recommend strategies like resting your ankle and using an ankle brace for support. Your treatment plan will also include long-term goals, such as restoring your strength and stability. Treatments oriented toward these goals might include targeted strength training and balance exercises. Your physical therapist may also provide treatments such as manual therapy to reduce your symptoms.

As you progress in treatment, you will work toward recovery milestones, which will be built into your treatment plan. Recovery from a soft tissue injury typically involves meeting certain milestones, such as eliminating swelling and increasing range of motion. After an ankle sprain, one intermediate milestone might be improving your ankle’s range of motion by 50%. At the end of treatment, your final goals might include regaining your full strength and mobility. Treatment goals are different for every patient, and recovery doesn’t look the same for everyone.

Work toward soft tissue injury recovery at Lattimore Physical Therapy

At Lattimore Physical Therapy, we’re committed to helping patients find short-term relief and long-term recovery. Our team is made up of experienced, compassionate physical therapy experts. We have 30 fully certified COMTs ready to deliver quality orthopedic treatment to our patients. With our help, you can get the treatment you need to start making your recovery goals a reality.

Contact our team today for more information about injury recovery or to schedule an initial appointment.