Emergency and Urgent Care - Soft Tissue Injury

You have been seen in the Emergency Department today and diagnosed with a Soft Tissue Injury.

This means you have an injury to a ligament, muscle or tendon and not the bone. This type of injury is often known as a ‘sprain’ or ‘strain’. These injuries can be painful and cause bruising, swelling and can take 6 weeks to recover.

What should you do?

For the first 2 days: Follow the “PRICED” advice.

P = Protect: Avoid activities that will cause further injury to your joint. Walking within pain limits is ok.
R = Rest: Partial rest is recommended, but you can move the joint as pain allows, aiding your recovery.
I = Ice: A bag of ice/frozen peas/ice pack wrapped in a towel can be applied for 15 minutes, every 2 hours, to reduce pain and swelling.*
C = Compression: You may use a brace/support to reduce pain and swelling.
E = Elevation: Elevating the joint above heart level will reduce swelling.
D = Drugs: Sensible use of simple painkillers is recommended, e.g. paracetamol.**

* Warning: Check the skin after 5 minutes for ice burn. Do not use if you cannot feel the sensation of hot/cold on your joint.
** Warning: Follow patient information advice leaflet found in all medicines.

Avoid “HARM”

H = Heat: Hot baths, saunas and heat packs will increase bleeding/swelling.
A = Alcohol/Smoking: Reduces healing and increases bleeding/ swelling.
R = Running: Or any form of exercise which may increase further injury.
M = Massage: May increase bleeding and swelling.

After the first 2 days: Get moving as pain allows
Exercise really helps your injury to recover!

Your goals initially are to:

1. Get the injured body part moving.
2. Build up strength.
3. Get back into your normal routine as pain allows.

You may have been given a boot/crutches/splint/sling/brace. Slowly stop using these aids and build up to normal function without them gradually.

Returning to physical activity - work, hobbies and sport

• Returning to sport and work will depend on the demands of your job and chosen hobbies
• Recovery is faster if you stay at or get back to work as early as possible
• Once you have regained movement, strength and function, you can slowly start to increase your activity back to your previous level
• Patients tell us that initially their pain can increase when returning to normal activities and exercise; this is normal and will usually settle within a few days

Physiotherapy

If you are unsure about what to do and feel you need support with your rehabilitation, then you can always go to see a physiotherapist.

If you live in Salford or are registered with a Salford GP, you can now refer yourself at www.northerncarealliance.nhs.uk/ go2physio

Alternatively, your GP can refer you if you are unable to use the online form or live outside of Salford.

What should you watch out for?

See your GP or a physiotherapist if you experience any of the following:

• Your pain is getting worse not better after 2 weeks
• You are not back to normal after 6 weeks

Contact Information

Emergency Department, Trauma and Orthopaedics, Radiology & Musculoskeletal Physiotherapy Services, Telephone: 0161 206
4892

Further advice and guidance can be found on social media, we recommend:

NICE clinical knowledge summary 2016: Sprains and strains
Website: https://cks.nice.org.uk/sprains-and-strains

NHS sprains and strains
Website: https://www.nhs.uk/conditions/sprains-and-strains/