Signs of Soft Tissue Injuries After a Car Accident
If you were recently injured in a car accident, you might not immediately notice that you were injured. While broken bones and some other injuries may be more immediately apparent, other injuries may not be immediately noticeable. Accident victims often experience a surge of adrenaline during a car accident, and this may mask the symptoms of injury. This is one reason why it is important to seek medical treatment immediately following an accident. Your doctor can diagnose your injuries, link your injuries to the car accident, and begin treatment.
What Are Soft Tissues?
Soft tissues are connective tissue, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Soft tissues include fat, blood vessels, nerves, and other body parts that are not hardened by ossification or calcification such as bones or teeth. These body parts connect and support other tissues and surround the body’s organs, like kidneys or the heart.
What Are Soft Tissue Injuries?
Soft tissue injuries are any type of injury to the soft tissue. Some common types of soft tissue injuries include:
- Whiplash
- Contusions
- Sprains
- Strains
- Tendonitis
- Bursitis
- Stress injuries
Why Do Car Accidents Cause Soft Tissue Injuries
Car accidents often lead to soft tissue injuries because these accidents involve a lot of external force on the body. Because soft tissues are not as hard as other parts of the body like bones, they are more vulnerable to injury.
Symptoms of Soft Tissue Injuries
The symptoms of soft tissue injuries vary depending on their severity and location. However, some common symptoms associated with soft tissue injuries include:
- Swelling
- Pain near the area of injury
- Redness
- Bruising
- Muscle weakness
Treatment of Soft Tissue Injuries
Treatment of soft tissue injuries may vary by patient, injury type, location of the injury, and severity. Some of the most common types of treatments for soft tissue injuries include:
- RICE method – The RICE method stands for rest, ice, compression, and elevation. This is the most common method for treating bruises, sprains, and other mild soft tissue injuries.
- Anti-inflammatory medication – Anti-inflammatory medication can help reduce swelling and relieve pain.
- Injections – Other medications may be injected directly into the injured soft tissue.
- Splinting – A splint is a supportive device used to help relieve pain and stabilize sprains or strains.
- Physical therapy – A physical therapist may recommend various stretching and strengthening exercises to help accident victims cope with injuries, improve their range of motion, and improve flexibility.
Even when accident victims receive appropriate treatment, soft tissue injuries might require extensive time to heal.
Proving Soft Tissue Injuries
If you suffered a soft tissue injury, it will be your responsibility to show you suffered this type of injury and that it was caused by the car accident. Some evidence that may help you prove these things include:
- Doctor’s notes – Your medical records may include doctor’s notes that detail the symptoms you report.
- Imaging test results – Some soft tissue injuries may show up on imaging tests, and an objective image can be compelling evidence.
- Your own statements – You can keep a record of your daily symptoms, your treatment notes, and the effects the injuries have had on your life.
If you suffered soft tissue injuries in a car accident, reach out to an injury lawyer for help. Mingo & Yankala, S.C. can guide you through the process of filing a personal injury claim. Contact us today for a free case review.