Sprains, Muscle Strains, & Soft Tissue Injuries at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican Hospitals

Soft tissue injuries involve the ligaments, tendons, or muscles. Common soft tissue injuries include:

  • Contusion: bruising of muscles from a direct blow
  • Bursitis: inflammation of a bursa (the sac that surrounds joints) due to repeated stress or overuse
  • Tendinitis: irritation or inflammation of a tendon (or the sheath covering it) from repeated stress or overuse
  • Strain: traumatic tear or stretching of a muscle, tendon, or a connected group of muscles and tendons
  • Sprain: an injury to a ligament or joint capsule from overstretching

Find an orthopedist at Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals or call (702) 616-4900 to receive compassionate care for muscle strains, sprains, and any other soft tissue injuries in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV. If your soft tissue injury is a sports injury, our sports medicine experts can provide personalized treatment and get you back in the game.

 

Risk Factors for Tendinitis & Other Soft Tissue Injuries

There are both chronic and acute causes of soft tissue injuries. Acute injuries are due to sudden trauma such as twisting, slipping, sustaining a blow, or falling. Strains, sprains, and bruises are acute soft tissue injuries.

Chronic injuries are the result of repeatedly using a muscle or joint without adequate rest in between use. Tendinitis and bursitis are chronic soft tissue injuries. For instance, you can develop tendinitis around the elbow from daily physical labor or playing tennis frequently (tennis elbow).

 

Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries

Symptoms of a soft tissue injuries include:

  • Pain
  • Inability to bear weight
  • Knot or lump at the injury
  • Limited range of motion
  • Joint instability
  • Muscle weakness
  • Visible bruising
  • Muscle spasms or cramping
  • Swelling

 

Treating Sprains & Soft Tissue Injuries in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV

For acute soft tissue injuries, rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) is a standard part of treatment. Use cold packs for no more than 20 minutes at a time and cover the injury with an ace wrap. When elevating, be sure the injury is above the level of the heart.

Your doctor may also recommend anti-inflammatory medicines. For severe soft tissue injuries, you may need physical therapy to rehabilitate the ligament, tendon, or muscle.

Resting from the repetitive activity and taking anti-inflammatory medicines may be recommended for severe injuries. In addition, range of motion exercises, splinting, and corticosteroid injections may help. Sometimes, surgery is necessary to repair the injury.

Fortunately, many soft tissue injuries are preventable by:

  • Scheduling periods of time off from physical activity to help your body heal and recover
  • Staying hydrated
  • Balancing flexibility, strength training, and cardiovascular exercise
  • Cross-training with different activities
  • Taking the time to adequately warm up and cool down
  • Using the right equipment and making sure it fits well

Dignity Health - St. Rose Dominican hospitals offers treatment for soft tissue injuries such as sprains and muscle strains in Las Vegas and Henderson, NV.