Accidents Involving Soft Tissue Injuries No Minor Matter

Motor vehicle-related crashes, slips and falls, and other types of accidents can leave you suffering severe and even life-threatening personal injuries. You may feel as if you got off lucky by suffering only bruising or muscle strains and sprains, but the fact is that these and other types of soft tissue injuries can end up resulting in permanent impairment.

Common Types of Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries can result from any kind of bump, blow, a sudden jolt, or as the result of overuse, such as when playing sports or performing physical activities on the job. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS) advises that the most common types of soft tissue injuries include the following:

Sprains: These involve stretching, twisting, or tearing of the ligaments, which connect one bone to another and stabilize joints. They often occur in the ankles, knees, and wrists.
Strains: These involve stretching, twisting, or tearing of the muscles or the tendons, which connect muscles to bones. These often occur in the feet, legs, shoulders, neck, or back.
Contusions: More commonly known as bruising, the AAOS advises that contusions result from damage to soft tissues due to bumps or blows, causing blood to pool underneath the skin. While often considered relatively minor, the fact is they can result in permanent damage to the underlying muscles and other connective tissues.

Give Yourself Time When Recovering From Soft Tissue Injuries

Unless there is actual tearing of the muscles, tendons, or ligaments, recovery often involves the use of pain medicine to alleviate discomfort and an anti-inflammatory to help reduce swelling. Your doctor is also likely to recommend plenty of rest while elevating the injured body part. Eventually, you may require physical therapy to rebuild strength in weakened areas surrounding your injury.

Johns Hopkins Medicine urges patients to follow all of their doctor’s instructions regarding diagnostic testing procedures, medical treatments, follow up care, and job or other activity restrictions. Soft tissue injuries can take months or even years to heal. Re-injuring or exerting too much pressure on the site will only delay healing time and can end up causing permanent impairments, resulting in chronic pain and limited mobility.

Discuss Your Case With Our Illinois Personal Injury Attorneys

Settling a claim involving soft tissue injuries that occur as the result of an accident too soon can leave you on the hook for medical costs, lost wages, and other expenses. At Sabuco, Beck, Hansen, Massino & Pollack, P.C., we can advise you on your rights, while helping to ensure you get the compensation you need to recover. Contact our Illinois personal injury attorneys and request a consultation today.