Patient Education: Understanding Severe Soft Tissue Injuries

1. Understanding the Injury

Severe soft tissue injuries happen when the muscles, tendons, ligaments, skin, or fat under the skin are badly damaged. These injuries can be very painful and take time to heal.

Types of Severe Soft Tissue Injuries

Deep cuts (lacerations): A tear in the skin and tissues.
Crush injuries: Heavy force that squeezes muscles and tissues.
Severe bruises (contusions): Large bleeding under the skin.
Tendon or ligament tears: Tissue connecting muscles or bones is torn.

Location and Severity

Mild: Small cut or bruise.
Moderate: Larger tear, deeper bruising, or swelling.
Severe: Deep wounds, heavy bleeding, crushed muscles, or tissue death.
Injuries can happen anywhere—arms, legs, hands, feet, or torso.

Causes / Risk Factors

Car accidents
Falls
Sports injuries
Work or heavy machinery accidents
Direct blows or crush injuries

2. Symptoms to Watch For

Severe pain
Swelling or large bruising
Trouble moving the injured area
Numbness or weakness
Open wounds with bleeding

Signs of Infection

Redness spreading around the wound
Warmth or swelling
Pus or foul odor
Fever or chills

Delayed Complications

Tissue death (gangrene)
Permanent weakness or stiffness
Chronic pain or nerve damage

3. Post-Hospitalization Information

Keep all follow-up appointments.
You may need physical therapy for strength and movement.
Stitches, staples, or drains may need special care.

4. Home Management & Recovery

Pain Management

Take pain medicine as prescribed.
Use ice packs if recommended to reduce swelling.

Mobility

Avoid heavy use of the injured area until cleared by your doctor.
Use crutches, braces, or slings if given.

Wound Care

Always follow your physician’s wound care orders.
Keep the area clean and dry.
Call home health or your doctor if the wound becomes red, swollen, or drains pus.

Rest and Rehabilitation

Rest helps healing.
Gentle stretches or exercises may be given by your therapist.
Do not overuse the injured area too soon.

5. Prevention of Complications

Infection prevention: Wash hands before touching wounds, use clean dressings, avoid dirty water.
Fall prevention: Keep walkways clear, use handrails, and good lighting.
Monitoring delayed symptoms: Watch for new pain, swelling, numbness, or fever.

6. When to Contact Home Health vs ER

Call Home Health: For wound checks, dressing changes, medication guidance, or help with mobility.
Go to the ER Immediately: If there is heavy bleeding, sudden loss of feeling, high fever, spreading redness, or severe pain not helped by medicine.

📘 Homework / Patient Assessment: True or False

Circle True or False for each statement.

True or False: Severe soft tissue injuries affect muscles, tendons, ligaments, or skin.
True or False: A deep cut is also called a laceration.
True or False: Severe bruises are also called contusions.
True or False: Crush injuries can damage muscles and tissues under the skin.
True or False: A tendon or ligament tear is a type of soft tissue injury.
True or False: Car accidents and sports injuries can cause severe soft tissue injuries.
True or False: Severe pain, swelling, and bruising are common symptoms.
True or False: Trouble moving the injured area may mean serious tissue damage.
True or False: Signs of infection include redness, warmth, pus, and fever.
True or False: Delayed complications can include tissue death and nerve damage.
True or False: Follow-up appointments are not important after hospitalization.
True or False: Physical therapy may be needed to regain strength and movement.
True or False: Pain medicine should be taken only as prescribed by the doctor.
True or False: Ice packs can sometimes help reduce swelling.
True or False: Wounds should always be kept clean and dry.
True or False: Rest is important for healing soft tissue injuries.
True or False: Washing hands before wound care helps prevent infection.
True or False: Home health can help with dressing changes and mobility support.
True or False: Heavy bleeding or sudden loss of feeling means you should go to the ER.
True or False: New or worsening symptoms after injury should always be reported.

✅ Answer Key with Explanations

True – Soft tissue includes muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, and fat.
True – A laceration is a deep cut.
True – Severe bruises are called contusions.
True – Crush injuries damage deep tissues.
True – Tendons and ligaments are soft tissues.
True – These are common causes.
True – These are main symptoms.
True – Trouble moving means deeper damage.
True – These are infection warning signs.
True – Long-term effects can be serious.
False – Follow-ups are very important for healing and safety.
True – Therapy helps restore function.
True – Always follow doctor’s orders.
True – Ice helps with pain and swelling.
True – Clean and dry wounds heal better.
True – Rest allows tissues to repair.
True – Clean hands lower infection risk.
True – Home health supports wound care and recovery.
True – These are emergencies and need ER care.
True – Always report new problems to your care team.