Can a fall cause soft tissue damage?
When you fall, the sudden impact can tear your ligaments, tendons and muscles depending on the fall’s severity. If you catch yourself from falling, the pressure from the fall can damage soft tissue in your arms and wrists, as that is the hardest hit point of your body.
How long does it take for soft tissue to heal after a fall?
Most soft tissue injuries heal without any problems in about six weeks. However, it may take a few months for your symptoms to settle – these can include pain or discomfort, stiffness, decreased strength, and swelling. The injury may take longer to heal if you suffer from diabetes or if you smoke.
What tissues are affected from a fall?
The most common soft tissues injured are muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries often occur during sports and exercise activities, but sometimes simple everyday activities can cause an injury. Sprains, strains, and contusions, as well as tendinitis and bursitis, are common soft-tissue injuries.
What are the signs of damaged tissue?
Common Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries
- A lump or knot at the site of the injury.
- Inability to bear weight.
- Joint instability.
- Limited range of motion.
- Muscle cramping or spasms.
- Muscle weakness.
- Pain.
- Swelling.
How do you treat a deep tissue injury?
Treatment of deep tissue pressure injuries should include the measures used for any pressure injury, including frequent repositioning off the site of injury, good skin care, proper support surface selection, as well as correcting any systemic issues or nutritional deficiencies.
How long does it take for a deep tissue injury to heal?
This process begins in the weeks following tissue damage and can extend over 12 months or more depending on the size and type of the wound. This basic overview explains why tissue cannot simply heal overnight but takes weeks to months to fully restore.
What does a deep tissue injury look like?
When there isn’t an open wound but the tissues beneath the surface have been damaged, the sore is called a deep tissue injury (DTI). The area of skin may look purple or dark red, or there may be a blood-filled blister.
What is the fastest way to heal a tissue injury?
The mnemonic RICE which stands for rest, ice, compression and elevation is key to treating an acute soft tissue injury….Elevating the injured area is critical even up to first 48 – 72 hours after the injury, as it reduces swelling due to gravity.
- Step 1: Rest.
- Step 2: Ice.
- Step 3: Compression.
- Step 4: Elevation.
What does soft tissue damage feel like?
The most common symptoms are pain and swelling. Sometimes bruising may also occur. Bruising can be a sign of a more significant injury (such as a tendon or ligament rupture). We would recommend you seek a specialist opinion as soon as possible if you suspect a more significant injury.
Why is soft tissue damage so painful?
Soft tissue strains and sprains An injury to muscles or tendons such as a twisted ankle or sprained wrist leads to microtrauma, bleeding and swelling around the damaged tissue which causes pain.
Can you walk on soft tissue damage?
You have sustained a soft tissue injury (sprain) to your ankle. This can take approximately 6 weeks to heal, although pain and swelling can be ongoing for 3 to 6 months. You may walk on the foot as comfort allows although you may find it easier to walk with crutches in the early stages.
What does a suspected deep tissue injury look like?
Suspected Deep Tissue Injury-Purple or maroon localized area of discolored intact skin or blood-filled blister due to damage of underlying soft tissue from pressure and/or shear. The area may be preceded by tissue that is painful, firm, mushy, boggy, warmer, or cooler as compared to adjacent tissue.