Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are common after a car accident. This type of injury includes any form of injury or damage to muscle tissue, ligaments, and tendons. Soft tissue injuries are divided into two categories. These include acute injuries and overuse injuries.

Acute injuries - These are caused by sudden trauma like a fall, twist, or blow to the body.

Overuse injuries - These injuries develop slowly as a result of repetitive physical activity.

When it comes to car accidents, soft tissue injuries are acute. Soft tissue injuries can cause a great deal of pain for the person experiencing them.

Common examples of soft tissue injuries include:

Sprains - A sprain is an injury to the muscle or tendon. Symptoms of a sprain include pain in the impacted area, muscle spasms, muscle weakness, swelling, inflammation, and cramping.

Contusions - A bruise caused by a direct blow. In a car accident, this could come from your body slamming into the steering wheel.

Whiplash - Whiplash is the most common soft tissue injury. It’s an injury to the neck and is commonly caused by rear-end car accidents.

Symptoms of whiplash include:

● Neck discomfort and stiffness

● Loss of range of motion in the neck

● Headaches

● Fatigue

● Dizziness

● Tenderness in the shoulders

● Tingling or numbness in the arms

Bursitis - Bursitis is inflammation of the bursa which is a fluid-filled sac. It is the cushion between bones and muscles. Bursitis usually affects the shoulder, elbow, hip, knee, ankle, and foot.

Tendonitis - Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon which is usually caused by repetitive motion. In car accidents, tendonitis involves sudden force or stretching of an area.

When it comes to treatment for soft tissue injuries an effective at-home treatment is the RICE method.

Rest. Rest is one of the best things you can do for a soft tissue injury. Relax and rest the area that is in pain.

Ice. This helps with the swelling that comes from soft tissue injuries. Ice the impacted area for 20 minutes at a time, several times a day.

Compression. Use a compression bandage to help with swelling and prevent blood loss from the affected area.

Elevation. Elevate your injury above your heart while resting to reduce swelling.

After you’ve been involved in a car accident another recommendation is to seek medical attention. Generally, doctors will be able to assess the severity of your injuries and suggest a course of treatment that may include physical therapy. Chiropractic care can also help with soft tissue injuries from a car accident.

If you’ve been in a car accident and have suffered a soft tissue injury and are in need of legal help, contact the Law Office of Georgia Anderson.