What Is Considered a Soft Tissue Injury From an Accident?

Crumpled fenders and shattered glass are obvious signs of a car accident’s impact, but the damage to your body isn’t always as clear-cut. While broken bones might grab the headlines, soft tissue injuries are often the silent culprits that linger long after the initial shock has faded. So, what exactly are these sneaky soft tissue injuries, and how can they affect you after a crash?

Soft Tissue Injuries Are Often Unseen, but They’re Incredibly Serious

Soft tissue injuries involve damage to the muscles, ligaments, tendons, and other connective tissues in your body. They’re not as dramatic as fractures, but they can be just as debilitating. Whiplash, the notorious neck injury associated with car accidents, is a prime example of a soft tissue injury. But there are many others that may hide beneath the surface.

Some of the most common soft tissue injuries you might encounter after a car accident include:

1. Sprains and Strains: These are the classic overstretching or tearing of ligaments (sprains) or muscles and tendons (strains). They can occur in any part of your body, but the neck, back, and shoulders are particularly vulnerable in car accidents.
2. Contusions (Bruises): The impact of a crash can cause blood vessels to rupture beneath your skin, leading to those colorful bruises we all know and hate. While they might not seem serious, contusions can be quite painful and take time to heal.
3. Muscle Tears: A forceful impact can cause muscle fibers to tear, leading to pain, swelling, and limited range of motion. These tears can range from minor to severe and may require rest, physical therapy, or even surgery in some cases.
4. Tendonitis: This inflammation of the tendons, the cords that attach muscle to bone, is often caused by overuse or repetitive strain. But it can also be triggered by the sudden force of a car accident. Tendonitis can cause pain, stiffness, and difficulty moving the affected area.
5. Bursitis: Like tendonitis, bursitis involves inflammation of the bursae, small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints. A car accident can irritate these bursae, leading to pain, swelling, and restricted movement.

Soft tissue injuries might not be visible on an X-ray, but they can cause a whole lot of trouble if left untreated. Chronic pain, stiffness, and reduced mobility are just a few of the potential consequences. Early diagnosis and treatment can prevent these issues from becoming long-term problems.

Don’t Let Soft Tissue Injuries Hold You Back!

If you’ve been in a car accident, don’t ignore lingering pain or discomfort. Even if you don’t have obvious injuries, it’s critical to seek medical attention. Impact Medical Group of Sarasota specializes in treating sneaky soft tissue injuries. 

Conquer your pain today! Call us today at (941) 222-1157 to schedule your free medical evaluation. We’re here to help you heal and get back to living your life to the fullest.