{"id":3748,"date":"2019-12-06T13:40:39","date_gmt":"2019-12-06T13:40:39","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/metamed.co.nz\/?p=3748"},"modified":"2020-02-26T07:53:09","modified_gmt":"2020-02-26T07:53:09","slug":"soft-tissue-injury-treatment","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/metamed.co.nz\/soft-tissue-injury-treatment\/","title":{"rendered":"Soft Tissue Injury Treatments: Your Options"},"content":{"rendered":"\n

Soft tissue injuries are damage to muscles, ligaments and tendons, anything in the body that\u2019s \u201csoft\u201d. Injuries can include sprains, strains, tears, ruptures, corks\/contusions (an injury that resulting from a single traumatic event such as rolling an ankle).<\/p>\n\n\n

ACC covers soft tissue injuries by providing subsidised treatment by acupuncturists, chiropractors, osteopaths and physiotherapists.<\/div><\/div>\n\n\n

Chronic soft tissue injuries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

These types of injury are the result of repetitive stress on a tissue. Commonly known as overuse injuries. See our Tendinopathy<\/a> post for more details.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Signs and symptoms<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Different soft tissue injuries have different signs and symptoms but there is usually some level of redness and swelling, as well as pain and reduced range of motion. There may be some bruising.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Joint-stabilising ligament injuries<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

Ligament injuries range from mild tearing of a few fibres to complete tears, which can lead to joint instability. The common areas affected are the knee and ankle, but it can also happen around the shoulder, elbow and wrist.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

Ligament injuries are graded from 1-3:<\/p>\n\n\n\n

  1. Minor injury with little swelling and tenderness:\u00a0minor impact on function due to intermittent pain on movement. Grade 1 usually heals in a few weeks, with max strength returning after 6 weeks.<\/li>
  2. Ligaments are\u00a0stretched but intact:\u00a0some joint laxity (giving way) may be\u00a0experienced as well as moderate swelling pain and negative impact on function. Grade 2 requires some reduction in use to offload the tissue during the initial phase. Healing may take anywhere from 6 to 12 weeks depending on the injury.<\/li>
  3. Complete ligament rupture with excessive joint laxity: Often painful but can also be pain-free due to the destruction of sensory fibers in the injury. Marked swelling and bruising. Painful or inability to weight-bear. Grade 3 requires the opinion of an orthopedic specialist to determine if it requires surgery. A return to normal activity can take anywhere from 4 to 12 months<\/li><\/ol>\n\n\n\n

    Muscle Strains<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Muscle strains are the same as ligament sprains but in a different type of tissue in the body. Strains happen when a muscle is overloaded and fails, causing tearing of the fibres. We grade muscle strains in the same way as ligaments, from one (mild) to three (severe). Symptoms include swelling, bruising, redness, pain at rest and with movement, inability to use the muscle (moderate to severe only), and muscle weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Treatments for muscle strains depend on the severity of the injury. Initially, POLICE protocol (see below) should be followed. An assessment and accurate diagnosis by an osteopath or physiotherapist will help to determine when and how the muscle can safely be loaded again. The initial rehab starts with low impact movements, followed by a gradual increase in tension.  Proprioception and endurance training is recommended only in the advanced rehab stages.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tendon Injury<\/h2>\n\n\n\n

    Tendons connect muscles to bones and work to transmit forces between the two. The most common tendon pain is from overuse \u2013 called tendinopathy. However, acute tendon ruptures also occur.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Tendon ruptures<\/strong> often happen without warning or apparently for no\u00a0particular reason. The most frequently injured tendons are covered below. \u00a0A \u2018pop\u2019 or a \u2018bang\u2019 followed by weakness and pain, is a common sign that a complete rupture\u00a0has happened. These commonly happen in the achilles in the ankle and the bicep tendon in the upper arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Rotator cuff tendon injuries<\/strong> are categorised based on which of the four rotator cuff tendons is affected and the extent of the injury – small\/medium\/large\/complete tear. Symptoms include severe pain at the time of injury, night pain, pain with overhead movements, pain radiating down the arm, and shoulder muscle weakness.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Full-thickness tears require surgical intervention, however, in most other cases conservative rehab is recommended \u2013 such as osteopathy, physiotherapy, or acupuncture and specific exercises and stretches.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Bicep tendon injuries<\/strong> often occur after a strong, sudden contraction of the bicep muscle. Similar to the rotator cuff, symptoms include pain in the front of the shoulder, pain with overhead movements, night pain and \u2018pop-eye deformity\u2019 – when the bicep muscle, under contraction, appears to rise lower down the arm.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Surgery is generally offered to younger patients that are athletic or require maximal arm strength – Tradesmen, for example. Conservative management is recommended.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A Quadriceps tendon rupture<\/strong> means you will be unable to straighten the knee without help. Some people can walk after injury, some cannot. Graded as either partial or complete.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    Partial ruptures require a short period of immobilisation (possibly in a moon-boot) followed by a\u00a0gradual return to normal activities with specific strengthening exercises. 3-6 week heal time.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    A complete rupture calls for surgery, usually in the 72hrs following injury, to reattach the tendon. Following surgery is a period of immobilisation. Depending on the patient and surgeon, rehab will either be conservative (around 4-6 weeks immobilisation) or aggressive (around 10 days immobilisation with exercises included early on). The aggressive approach has produced better results more quickly but it is not for everyone.<\/p>\n\n\n\n

    People with Achilles injuries<\/strong> often report that the injury felt like someone kicked\/stabbed them in the leg, accompanied by a \u2018bang\u2019. Other symptoms include swelling in the back of the heel, decreased ability to heel raise or point toes and a palpable gap in the tendon. Achilles injuries are graded 1-4:<\/p>\n\n\n\n