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Soft Tissue Injuries
SOFT TISSUE INJURIES based on First Aid Manual 8th Edition (fully revised & updated) 2002. pages 49, 154 - 155. ISBN: 0-7513-3704-8. www.dk/com/firstaidmanual Introduction to soft tissue injuries
Ligaments, muscles and tendons surround bones and joints. They are referred to as soft tissues. The injuries are commonly called strains and sprains. Common causes are: = overstretching = partial tearing = complete tearing (rupture)
Tendons attach muscle to bone and cross over a joint. Ligaments join bone to bone at joint.
Common problems are: = SPRAIN: At a joint. The ligaments are overstretched or torn. = STRAIN: A muscle or tendon is overstretched and partially torn = RUPTURE: A muscle or tendon is overstretched and totally torn. = DEEP BRUISING: A large amount of bleeding into a muscle
Recognising soft tissue injuries ~ if usure it is a soft tissue injury, assume it is bone (not soft tissue) injury = Sudden or forceful movement = Pain and tenderness (pain worsens even if gently touched) = Swelling and bruising at and near the injury = Difficulty and reluctance in moving the area
Procedure for soft treatment injury care SUMMARY: R rest to reduce the pain I insulated ice or cold compress C compression for support E elevate the injury to reduce swelling
REST Ensure the casualty is in the most comfortable position possible This will involve rest, carefully steadying & supporting the injury q ICE Reduce the pain, swelling and bruising Cool the area with a cold compress (towel/flannel soaked in cold water) or ice pack (eg packet of frozen vegetables / bag with ice, etc) Cold compress: re-cool every 3-5 minutes and cool for a least 10 minutes Ice pack: put it in a cloth and apply for 10 minutes q COMPRESSION Gentle, even support (compression) to the injury & surrounding area cover the area with soft material (eg cotton wool or plastic foam) and secure with a bandage. CAUTION: Check there is adequate blood supply beyond the bandage every 10 minutes Ensure that you allow for any further swelling, because if the bandage becomes too tight, serious damage will result q ELEVATION Gently raising and supporting the injury can reduce bleeding, therefore reducing swelling and pain q Further Care h (take them to A&E) if pain is severe or unable to use the injured part ( (GP / NHS Direct) for other casualties Home-made ice pack warnings The Times p.6 (03/10/00) reports that a home-made ice pack from items such as frozen peas can cause frostbite if left on for too long, doctors have warned. The dangers are described in the British Journal of Sports Medicine, which highlights the case of a woman who had to have damaged tissue removed after leaving frozen chips on her painful foot for too long. External Internet Link/s Please note that First Aid Training has no control over the content or accuracy of the site/s listed. Please evaluate the information for yourself. How? British Journal of Sports Medicine
Date this page was lasted edited: 08/04/2004 |
Please click on the underlined e-mail address here info@firstaidtraining.org.uk to e-mail me with UK first aid questions, comments, web site suggestions, enquiries or non-working hyperlinks.© 2004 First Aid Training
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