What are soft-tissue injuries?

Many activities can lead to damage of the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other soft tissues. The result can be pain, swelling, and bruising. Soft-tissue injuries are classified as follows:

• Bruises (contusions)

• Sprains

• Tendonitis

• Bursitis

• Strains

Athletes and nonathletes share similar soft-tissue injuries.

What is a bruise?

A bruise is an injury to the soft tissue. It's also called a contusion. It's often caused by a blunt force, such as a kick, fall, or blow. These injuries result in pain, swelling, and discoloration. This is because of bleeding in the tissue. Treatment for bruises includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). More serious bruises may need to be examined by a health care provider.

What is a sprain?

A sprain is a partial tear of a ligament. It's often caused by a wrench or twist. Sprains can affect any joint. But, most often, the ankles, knees, spine, or wrists are affected. Treatment for a mild sprain includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). Moderate sprains may benefit from physical therapy. If the ligament is completely torn, surgical repair may be needed.

What is tendonitis?

Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon, a band of tissue that connects muscle to bones. Tendonitis is often due to an overuse injury from repetitive motion or overload. The elbow, hand, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot are commonly affected. Often, the tendonitis is named for the sport or movement that triggers the inflammation. Examples are tennis or golfer's elbow, swimmer's shoulder, and jumper's knee.

Treatment involves healing the inflamed area with rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Ice may be used immediately after the injury. Your health care provider may prescribe stretching and strengthening exercises. These can gradually be added to help healing and prevent further injury. Steroid injections may be used for some types of tendonitis if chronic pain persists. If a tendon is completely torn, surgery may be needed.

What is bursitis?

Bursitis is irritation in the area of a bursa that can fill with a fluid, providing a cushion between bones and muscles or tendons. Like tendonitis, bursitis is often caused by overuse. But it can also be caused by direct injury to a joint. Bursitis commonly affects the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, ankle, and foot.

Treatment involves rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Ice may be used immediately after injury to reduce swelling. Injections may be needed if pain and swelling persist. If the bursitis is caused by an infection, your health care provider may prescribe antibiotics. Surgery is rarely needed.

What is a strain?

A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon. It is often caused by overuse or by excessive force. Treatment for a strain is rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E). Prescribed stretching and strengthening exercises from a medical professional can gradually be added. This can help with healing and prevent further injury. If a tear in the muscle or tendon occurs, surgical repair may be needed.