Centre for Accessibility Services

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Soft tissue injury

What is a soft tissue injury?

A soft tissue injury often occurs to muscles, ligaments, tendons, and facias and can often be a result of a tear, pull or contusion. This can occur when there is trauma or overuse to muscles, tendons or ligaments. Injuries can be a result of sudden unexpected and/or uncontrolled movement that can be a onetime incident or damage over time. Common types of soft tissue injury can be back strain, ankle strain, torn ligaments, carpal tunnel syndrome, and tendinitis. Treatment of soft tissue injuries is projected based on the grade of the injury: mild, moderate or severe.

Symptoms & common characteristics

  • Tenderness
  • Stiffness
  • Reduced mobility
  • Swelling
  • Inability/reduced ability to weight bear

Centre for Accessibility support for soft tissue injuries may include

  • Note-taking services
  • Padded chair in classroom
  • Assistive technology
  • Scribe/computer use

Statistics

  • Soft tissue injuries are the leading cause of workplace injuries and lost time

Sources

WorkWell

The Physiotherapy Clinics

Tips and tools for supporting students with soft tissue injury

Notes/handouts: Provide lecture notes and course materials in a variety of formats (i.e. electronic and compatible with assistive technology). Provide hand-outs electronically in advance of lectures, and during class display the main points to be covered in each session.

Learning platforms: Use more than one way to demonstrate or explain information. This can include visual, audio and written formats of learning.

Projects, presentations, and assignments: Provide students with detailed instructions on major projects, presentations, and assignments through written and oral explanations. When marking projects, presentations, and assignments, provide feedback on content, structure and encourage the use of a computer and software to improve presentation.

Adaptive equipment: Encourage the use of assistive technology, such as tape recorders or laptops if students are eligible for this accommodation. Students can access CAS to discuss adaptive equipment recommended for their use. 

Resources and websites

The injury hub: soft tissue injuries

South Vancouver Physiotherapy Clinic

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