The most common soft tissues injured are muscles, tendons, and ligaments. These injuries often occur during sports and exercise activities, but sometimes simple everyday activities can cause an injury.

1. Soft Tissue Injuries
The most common soft tissues injured are muscles, tendons, and ligaments.
These injuries often occur during sports and exercise activities, but
sometimes simple everyday activities can cause an injury.
Soft-tissue injuries are classified as the following:
● Contusions (bruises)
● Sprains
● Tendonitis

2. ● Bursitis
● Stress injuries
● Strains
Athletes and nonathletes share many similar soft-tissue injuries.
Cause
Soft-tissue injuries fall into two basic categories: acute injuries and overuse
injuries.
● Acute injuries are caused by a sudden trauma, such as a fall, twist,
or blow to the body. Examples include sprains, strains, and
contusions.
● Overuse injuries occur gradually over time when an athletic or
other activity is repeated so often that areas of the body do not
have enough time to heal between occurrences. Tendinitis and
bursitis are common soft-tissue overuse injuries.
What is a contusion?
A contusion (bruise) is an injury to the soft tissue often produced by a blunt
force, such as a kick, fall, or blow. The result will be pain, swelling, and
discoloration because of bleeding into the tissue. Treatment for contusions
includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). More serious
contusions may need to be examined by a doctor.
What is a sprain?
A sprain is a partial tear to a ligament and is often caused by a wrench or
twist. Sprains often affect the ankles, knees, or wrists. The treatment for a
sprain includes rest, ice, compression, and elevation (R.I.C.E.). If the ligament is
completely torn, surgical repair may be necessary.

3. Ankle Sprain
Ligaments are fibrous, elastic bands of tissue that connect and stabilize the
bones. An ankle sprain is a common, painful injury that occurs when one or
more of the ankle ligaments is stretched beyond the normal range of motion.
Sprains can occur as a result of sudden twisting, turning or rolling
movements.
Muscle Strain Injuries of the Hip
What is tendonitis?
Tendonitis is inflammation of the tendon, a flexible band of tissue that
connects muscle to bones. Tendonitis is often due to an overuse injury in the
affected area from repetitive motion. Areas commonly affected include the
elbow, hand, wrist, shoulder, hip, knee, ankle, and foot. Often the tendonitis is
named for the sport or movement that triggers the inflammation, such as
tennis or golfer's elbow, swimmer's shoulder, and jumper's knee.
Treatment involves healing the inflamed area with rest, compression,
elevation, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Ice may be used in the acute
phase of injury. Stretching and strengthening exercises can gradually be
added to help avoid further injury. Steroid injections may be used for some
types of tendonitis if chronic pain persists. If a tendon is completely torn,
surgery may be required.
What is bursitis?
Bursitis is the inflammation of the bursa, a fluid-filled sac that provides a
cushion between bones and muscles or tendons. Like tendonitis, bursitis is
often caused by overuse injury, but can also be caused by direct trauma to a
joint. Bursitis commonly affects the shoulder, elbow, knee, hip, ankle, and foot.
Treatment involves rest, compression, elevation, and anti-inflammatory
medicine. Ice may be used in the acute phase of injury to reduce swelling.

4. Injections may be needed if pain and swelling persist. If the bursitis is caused
by an infection, your doctor may prescribe antibiotics.
What is a stress fracture?
A stress fracture is a small crack in a bone, commonly occurring in the
weight-bearing bones of the lower extremities, including legs, hips, and feet.
Stress fractures are most often caused by overuse and increase in physical
activity. Initial treatment includes stopping the activity that caused the
fracture, elevation, ice, and anti-inflammatory medicine. Continued treatment
includes rest, decreasing weight-bearing on the affected area, shoe inserts or
braces, and possibly cast immobilization. If the crack in the bone progresses
further to a complete break, surgery may be required.
What is a strain?
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon, and is often caused by overuse,
force, or stretching. The treatment for a strain is rest, ice, compression, and
elevation (R.I.C.E). If a tear in the muscle occurs, surgical repair may be
needed.