Soft Tissue Injury

In the city of Atlanta, a soft tissue injury, or STI, occurs when muscles, tendons or ligaments are overused or subjected to trauma. Soft tissue injuries tend to occur when a person is involved in some type of accident. A person may slip and fall, pulling a muscle in their leg, for example, or they may be involved in a vehicle collision. No matter their cause, soft tissue injuries can be painful.

Symptoms of a soft tissue injury include pain, swelling and stiffness. People with a soft tissue injury may also experience bruising in the area of the injury. Recovery from a soft tissue injury depends on the health and age of the victim, and recovery is also dependent upon the severity of the injury. For example, a minor pull of a muscle in the ankle may heal more quickly than the tearing of a ligament in the knee.

Treatment for a soft tissue injury includes resting the affected site and limiting its use. Ice can be applied to alleviate pain and reduce swelling. A doctor may wrap with injury with a compression bandage and advise the patient to keep the area elevated. Treatment options are dependent upon the unique injury.

While some soft tissue injuries require nothing more than at-home treatment, some are more severe and require medical attention. If you have been forced to pay medical bills for a soft tissue injury that was caused by someone’s negligence or error, you may have the legal right to compensation.