What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?

July 19, 2017

Soft tissue injuries are the most common type of auto accident injury. But what is a soft tissue injury?
A soft tissue injury involves damage to any of the body’s connective tissue such as muscles, ligaments and tendons. Whiplash, for example, is a type of soft tissue injury. It occurs when the neck and head are suddenly forced backward and then forward, putting the cervical spine through very quick motions and acute stresses. Whiplash commonly occurs in rear-end collisions.

Other types of soft tissue injuries include sprains, strains, muscle tears and nerve damage. There are varying degrees of soft tissue injuries. Physicians rate this type of injury as follows: Grade 1 for the mildest, Grade 2 for moderate, and Grade 3 for the severest.

Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries often result in immediate pain followed by swelling, which may be immediate or delayed. Stiffness will often follow, as a result of the trauma and swelling, followed by bruising. If the soft tissue that was injured is in a weight-bearing joint such as a hip, knee or ankle, instability and difficulty walking can also result.

Challenges in Being Compensated for Soft Tissue Injuries

Soft tissue injuries are hard to document medically. For example, there’s no x-ray to show as proof like there is for a broken bone. It can also be difficult to assess the extent of soft tissue injuries and to predict recovery time.

Recovery times vary greatly depending on the severity of the soft tissue injury. Recovery times will also vary based on age, health and other factors. It is important to keep a record of dates and symptoms resulting from the injuries. It’s also important that physicians clearly diagnose the injuries.

Get the Help You Deserve

Marrick provides medical funding for uninsured and underinsured accident victims. Our patients seek the critical treatment they need free from fear of high interest rates, debt collectors, and negative credit reporting. Our vast network of healthcare providers allow personal injury patients to prioritize healing and recovery. For more information, please visit our homepage or contact us today.