Claim compensation for soft tissue injury

Soft tissue injuries are those injuries (excluding fractures) affecting the joints and muscles of the limbs. Sprains, strains and dislocations and bruising are considered soft tissue injuries.
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The treatment of soft tissue injuries is based on resting the injured part, applying ice packs to limit swelling and reduce pain, the application of a firm compression bandage as support, and elevation of the limb.

Ice packs should be placed on for a maximum of 10 minutes and can be re-applied when the damaged area becomes warm again. Never apply ice directly onto the skin, as this may cause tissue damage. Always use a barrier, such as cloth, between the ice pack and the skin to help protect tissue.

Sprains
Sprains involve the over-extension of a joint, usually with partial rupture of the ligaments. There may also be blood vessel, nerve and tendon damage. An injury with severe ligament damage may require subsequent immobilisation in a plaster cast.

The signs and symptoms of sprains include, sudden pain in the joint, loss of power and ability to bear weight, bruising, swelling, the site becomes tender.

Treatment
Rest, ice, compression and elevation, seek medical aid for assessment of ligament damage.

Strains Strains involve over-stretching of the major muscles of the limb. Muscles are attached to bones by tendons, which tear if a muscle is forced to stretch excessively. This injury is usually less severe than a sprain, but can still have complications if not managed correctly.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Pain, increasing on movement, an audible 'crack' may be heard as the tendon parts from the bone, there may be a discernible gap between muscle and bone, tenderness, discomfort when weight bearing, swelling if near joint

CARE AND TREATMENT
Rest, ice, compression and elevation, avoid stretching the injured limb, avoid massaging the injured limb, if pain persists, seek medical aid

Dislocations
Dislocations involve the displacement of bone from a joint. These injuries are often underestimated, and can have serious consequences in the form of damage to nerves and blood vessels. Many people have joints which dislocate easily due to either a congenital condition, or to weak ligaments, stretched by previous repeated dislocations.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
Sudden pain in the affected joint, loss of power and movement, deformity and swelling of the joint, tenderness, may have some temporary paralysis of the injured limb

CARE AND TREATMENT
Rest, ice, compression and elevation, support limb in position of comfort, seek medical aid, any attempt to reduce a dislocation is only to be made by a doctor

Bruising
Bruising, or more correctly, 'contusion', is bleeding by damaged blood vessels beneath the surface of the skin. This is invariably caused by blunt trauma, the application of force to the injured site.

A common injury, especially in contact sports, is 'corked thigh', a heavy blow to the muscle mass of the thigh, which involves damage to blood vessels as well as injury to the thigh muscle tissue. Although not a serious injury, it is very painful and prompt first aid assists in a rapid recovery.

SIGNS AND SYMPTOMS
History of a blow to the thigh, pain and tenderness, swelling and discolouration

CARE AND TREATMENT
Rest, ice, compression and elevation, after four hours, gentle exercise of limb