The principles of soft tissue dysfunction (Sports injuries)

Injury

The aim of this course is to develop your knowledge and understanding of soft tissue injury and dysfunction. This will include the differences between injury and dysfunction, covering the different types, causes and symptoms of each. In addition, you will explore the process of soft tissue repair, factors that may influence the repair process and the importance of the inflammatory process.

Some of the topics that you will cover

Soft tissue injury and dysfunction: Definitions, soft tissue injury (damage to any biological tissue except for bone), dysfunctional tissue (non-pathological, free from disease, non-injured, aches and pains, areas of scar tissue, tense areas, postural ischemia, free from inflammation).

Types of soft tissue injuries: Strain of muscle or tendon, ligament sprain, overuse (tendinopathy, bursitis), muscle cramp, delayed onset muscle soreness (DOMs)), skin (cut, abrasion, blister, friction burn), contusions, haematoma (Intra/ intermuscular).

Common causes of soft tissue injury: Intrinsic (lack of physical preparation, overuse, muscle imbalance, individual variables, postural defects), extrinsic (trauma or impact, pressure, friction, environmental factors, equipment, clothing and footwear).

The severity of injuries: Grades of injury (1- 3), characteristics of each grade, signs of each grade, symptoms of each grade.

Common causes of soft tissue dysfunction: Poor posture, inactivity, previous injury, body composition, lifestyle, work, stress, repetitive movement, sport.

Signs and symptoms: Signs (postural defects, muscular imbalance, joint instability, decreased mobility, bruising, deformation), symptoms (aches, pains, tightness, stiffness, weakness).

Process of soft tissue repair: Acute stage (protection/homeostasis phase), sub-acute stage (repair phase), late-stage (remodelling phase), chronic phase (ongoing repair and remodelling), acute on chronic (flare-up), therapeutic inflammation.

Influencing factors: Treatment, rest, activity, stretching, strengthening, nutrition, age, medication.

Importance of inflammatory process: To defend against harmful substances, to dispose of dead or dying tissue, to promote the repair and renewal of normal tissue, therapeutic inflammation.