Soft Tissue Injuries

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Basics & Classification - Intro & Ouchies

  • Soft Tissue Injury (STI): Damage to non-bony tissues (muscle, tendon, ligament, bursa, nerve, vessel).
  • Classification:
    • By Onset:
      • Acute: Sudden (direct blow, overload, overstretch).
      • Chronic: Overuse (e.g., tendinopathy).
    • By Skin Integrity:
      • Closed: Skin intact.
      • Open: Skin breached.
  • Contusion (Bruise): Capillary rupture from blunt trauma; features pain, swelling, ecchymosis.
  • Hematoma: Larger vessel damage; forms localized blood collection (mass); features pain, possible fluctuance. Hematoma vs. Bruise Comparison
  • Healing Phases:
    • Inflammation (0-7 days): Hemostasis, cellular influx.
    • Proliferation (3-21 days): Fibroplasia, angiogenesis.
    • Remodeling (Day 21 - 2 yrs): Collagen maturation, scar strengthening.

⭐ Hematomas often present as a palpable, fluctuant mass due to localized blood collection, distinguishing them from diffuse contusions.

Ligament & Tendon Injuries - Stretch & Snap

  • Sprains (Ligament Injury):

    • Grading:
      GrInjurySymptomsLaxityStability
      IMicro-tearsMild pain/swellMinimalStable
      IIPartial tearMod pain/swell/bruise↑ (endpt)Mild instab
      IIIComplete tearSev pain/swell/bruise↑↑ (no endpt)Unstable
    • Common:
      • Ankle: ATFL (most common); Inversion + Plantarflexion. 📌 ATFL: "Always Tears First".
      • Knee: ACL (Lachman, Ant Drawer); PCL (Post Drawer); MCL (Valgus); LCL (Varus). Unhappy Triad: ACL, MCL, Medial Meniscus (AMM).
  • Strains (Musculotendinous Injury):

    • Grading:
      GrInjurySymptomsFunctional Loss
      IStretchMild painMinimal
      IIPartial tearMod pain/weaknessModerate
      IIIComplete tearSev pain/LOFSevere
    • Common: Hamstrings, Quads, Adductors, Rotator cuff.
  • Tendinopathies:

    • Tendinitis (acute inflammation) vs. Tendinosis (chronic degen.).
    • E.g., Achilles, Tennis elbow (Lat. epicondylitis), Golfer's (Med. epicondylitis).

⭐ ATFL: most common ligament in ankle sprains.

Anterior talofibular ligament (ATFL) anatomy

Muscle & Fascia Conditions - Aches & Alerts

  • Muscle Injuries:
    • Direct: Contusion, laceration.
    • Indirect: Strain (see CG2), rupture.
    • Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness (DOMS): Self-limiting post-exertional pain.
  • Myositis Ossificans:
    • Patho: Post-traumatic heterotopic ossification in muscle.
    • Sites: Quadriceps, brachialis. Clinically: Pain, swelling, ↓ROM.
    • X-ray: Fluffy calcification → mature peripheral ossification.
    • Mgmt: Rest, NSAIDs. ⚠️ AVOID early aggressive massage/surgery. Myositis ossificans brachialis X-ray series
  • Compartment Syndrome:
    • Patho: ↑ Intracompartmental pressure (ICP) → ↓ tissue perfusion → ischemia, necrosis.
    • Causes: Tibial fractures, crush injuries, burns, tight casts/dressings.
    • 📌 6 P's: Pain (out of proportion, earliest sign), Paresthesia, Pallor, Pulselessness, Paralysis, Poikilothermia (late signs).
    • Dx: Clinical suspicion crucial. ICP: Normal 0-8 mmHg. Fasciotomy if absolute ICP >30-40 mmHg or $ΔP$ (Diastolic BP - ICP) < 20-30 mmHg.

    ⭐ Pain out of proportion to injury is the earliest and most reliable clinical sign of compartment syndrome.

    • Mgmt: Emergency Fasciotomy.

Nerve Trauma & General Repair - Zaps & Patches

  • Peripheral Nerve Injury Classification:

    SeddonSunderlandPathologyRecovery (Prognosis)
    NeuropraxiaIMyelin damage, axon intact, no WallerianFull (days-weeks)
    AxonotmesisII-IVAxon damage, Wallerian degen., sheath variableVariable (1mm/day), may need surgery
    NeurotmesisVComplete division, Wallerian degen.Surgery essential
    • EMG: Denervation (fibrillations, +ve sharp waves) in Axonotmesis/Neurotmesis.
  • Common Nerve Palsies: 📌 DR CUMA (Drop wrist - Radial; Claw - Ulnar; Median - Ape/Benediction)

    • Axillary n.: Anterior shoulder dislocation → Deltoid paralysis, regimental badge anaesthesia.
    • Radial n.: Humerus shaft # → Wrist drop.
    • Median n.: Supracondylar #, Carpal Tunnel Syndrome → Ape hand, thenar wasting.
    • Ulnar n.: Medial epicondyle # → Claw hand (4th/5th digits), Froment's sign.
    • Common Peroneal n.: Fibular neck # → Foot drop, steppage gait.
  • Soft Tissue Management:

    • Protection, Optimal Loading, Ice, Compression, Elevation (POLICE). Analgesia.
    • Balance immobilization & early mobilization. Physiotherapy crucial.
    • Surgical Indications: Complete tears (active individuals), nerve transection, compartment syndrome, failed conservative management.

⭐ Order of sensory recovery: Pain → Temperature → Touch → Proprioception.

Mechanisms of Peripheral Nerve Injury

High‑Yield Points - ⚡ Biggest Takeaways

  • Sprains are ligament injuries; strains involve muscle/tendon units.
  • Ottawa Ankle/Knee Rules are crucial for guiding X-ray decisions.
  • Compartment syndrome: surgical emergency; pain out of proportion is the earliest reliable sign.
  • Achilles tendon rupture: positive Thompson test (absent plantarflexion on calf squeeze).
  • Meniscal injuries: joint line tenderness, locking, or clicking; McMurray test is indicative.
  • ACL tears: often non-contact pivoting injuries; Lachman test is most sensitive_._

Practice Questions: Soft Tissue Injuries

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Most common site of myositis ossificans ?

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Flashcards: Soft Tissue Injuries

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Deformity of which ligament can lead to instability and deformity of tarsometatarsal joint?_____

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Deformity of which ligament can lead to instability and deformity of tarsometatarsal joint?_____

Lisfranc ligament

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