Soft tissue injuries are some of the most common and underestimated types of trauma that people can experience. These injuries affect the muscles, ligaments, and tendons, and pain levels can range from minor discomfort to severe, debilitating pain requiring extensive treatment and time to heal.
In a bustling city like Las Vegas, where accidents can be common, it’s important to understand what soft tissues are and what you can do if you’ve sustained one. If your injury was caused by someone else’s reckless behavior, you may also be able to collect compensation in a personal injury lawsuit.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
When a person has a soft tissue injury, it usually means that there’s been damage to a muscle, tendon, or ligament, often as a result of some sudden impact, strain, or overuse. Unlike bone fractures that can be seen on X-rays, soft tissue injuries may not be as visible and might not appear immediately after the injury. This can complicate diagnosis and treatment.
There are several types of soft tissue injuries, and they can affect virtually every area of the body.
Some of the more common ones include:
- Sprains: When ligaments, or bands of tissue that connect bones, are overstretched or torn, such as in the ankle, knee, or wrist
- Strains: Injuries to muscles or tendons from overuse, excessive force, or repetitive motion, often seen in the lower back, neck, and hamstrings
- Contusions (Bruises): When a direct impact leads to discoloration, pain, and swelling, with deeper bruises causing internal bleeding and severe pain
- Whiplash: Neck injuries after a sudden back-and-forth motion, causing pain, stiffness, and headaches, especially after car accidents
- Bursitis and Tendonitis: Inflammation of the bursae and tendons, often from repetitive strain or sudden injury in the shoulders, elbows, or knees
Each type of injury needs specific care and attention. Untreated soft tissue injuries can lead to chronic pain, instability, and even permanent damage.
Common Causes of Soft Tissue Injuries
Las Vegas has unique risk factors when it comes to the potential for accidents that could lead to soft tissue injuries. Anyone traveling through this vibrant city can encounter both natural and environmental hazards on any given day.
More often than not, injuries result from:
- Vehicle Accidents: Car crashes in heavy traffic from both residents and tourists
- Slips and Falls: Slip hazards in places like casinos, hotels, and other entertainment venues, often from wet floors due to spilled drinks
- Sports and Recreation: Any sport ranging from desert ATV riding to golf
- Construction Sites: Ongoing builds and updates where workers and passersby are exposed to potential falls, heavy lifting, and repetitive movements
By recognizing the situations that can lead to soft tissue injuries, it can be easier for people to take precautionary measures to avoid getting hurt. Not all accidents can be avoided, of course, but being prepared can make a substantial difference in mitigating your accident risk.
Symptoms and Diagnosis
In many situations, you’ll know immediately when you sustain a soft tissue injury. However, these injuries can sometimes develop slowly over time and may not appear until a while after the trauma occurs. This makes knowing potential signs and symptoms to look for essential.
Common signs of a soft tissue injury can include:
- Pain and Tenderness: Anything from a dull throbbing ache to a sharp, stabbing pain, depending on the location and how serious the injury is
- Swelling and Inflammation: A frequent symptom that can limit joint mobility and cause varying levels of discomfort
- Bruising: Discoloration of the skin from internal bleeding that’s usually minor and at the skin level, though it can be quite prominent in more severe injuries
- Limited Range of Motion: Stiffness and reduced flexibility in the affected area, which is often a sign of a strain or sprain
- Muscle Spasms: Involuntary muscle contractions that can appear after overuse or trauma, often in the back or neck
If you notice any of these symptoms and they don’t heal on their own, you’ll want to visit a healthcare professional to find out how serious your injury is and get started on the best treatment.
Your doctor may diagnose a soft tissue injury through the use of a physical exam and imaging techniques. X-rays can’t usually detect soft tissue damage, so your doctor may use alternative methods.
For example, MRIs give detailed images that can help identify tears, inflammation, and other damage. Ultrasounds can reveal issues like tendinitis, and CT scans give a broader view of the injured area.
Treatment for Soft Tissue Injuries In Las Vegas
Every soft tissue injury is different, so treatment will depend on how severely you’re hurt and what type of injury it is.
Typically, though, many cases can be treated with various therapies, including:
- Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) Method: A common initial treatment for pain and swelling that’s helpful for minor trauma
- Physical Therapy: Stretching and strengthening the affected muscles or joints to restore range of motion and avoid further damage
- Pain Management: Over-the-counter pain relievers for minor trauma and prescription painkillers or corticosteroid injections to reduce inflammation for more severe pain
- Surgery: An option for more severe injuries, especially those involving complete tears
- Alternative Therapies: Acupuncture, massage therapy, chiropractic care, and other treatments that may be appropriate and effective for specific injuries
With the right treatment and a little time, most soft tissue injuries heal within weeks or months. However, symptoms sometimes persist and may lead to lasting issues.
Long-Term Effects and Complications
Soft tissue injuries that go untreated or are not treated properly can lead to long-term complications. One of the most common is chronic pain. Once chronic pain begins, the injury may require ongoing care and constant pain management.
Additionally, injuries that affect joints like the ankles or knees can cause lasting stiffness and weakness, which can impact your ability to do your regular daily activities. Weakened muscles or ligaments can also be more prone to re-injury, and that can lead to a lifelong cycle of recurring injuries and other problems.
A Las Vegas Personal Injury Lawyer Can Help With a Soft Tissue Injury Claim
Soft tissue injuries are often invisible, but they can have a serious impact on a person’s daily life. By knowing what to look for and how to treat them, you can take the necessary steps to achieve a full recovery and avoid future complications.
If you’ve suffered a soft tissue injury in Las Vegas because of someone else’s negligence, you have rights under Nevada law. At De Castroverde Accident & Injury Lawyers, our skilled personal injury team can evaluate your case and help you determine the best path forward. Contact us today at (702) 222-9999 to schedule a free consultation with a family-owned law firm you can trust.