4 Ways to Check for Soft Tissue Damage at Home

Healthy body dynamics are dictated by the strength of the underlying physical structures. Tendons, ligaments, muscles, and bones all have to interact smoothly in order for the body to be at peak physical performance. Typically, the soft tissues are the first to wane in this delicate interaction. As time goes on and these tissues degenerate further, the body’s physical capabilities diminish with them.

The best way to combat this degeneration and keep the body functioning properly is the early detection of soft tissue-related issues. Thankfully, there are several simple diagnostics a person can perform in the comfort of their own home to detect soft-tissue damage. Once an issue is detected, there are many ways to combat the progression of this damage or to treat it outright.

Below, we’ll discuss some techniques for diagnosing possible soft tissue damage, and some of the treatments available for those who’ve discovered they are a victim of these degenerative issues.

1. Check Symptoms

First and foremost, a person will have to look for the symptoms of a soft tissue injury. It should be noted that not all soft tissue problems present symptoms at first, so this may be one of the more difficult ways to check for an issue.

Degenerative illnesses such as arthritis can be slow to develop and are thus difficult to detect in early stages. If the issue has gotten to a point where the pain is induced during everyday movements, this is enough of a clue to be sure that at least a few soft tissue structures are damaged and will continue to degenerate.

Acute injuries such as those caused by a fall or impact with a projectile should cause immediate symptoms. Over time, most of these symptoms diminish, but the underlying damage to the soft tissues may still be present and this damage may not heal properly.

Soft tissue damage due to acute injury is more easily detectable due to the presence of an obvious causal factor. If symptoms of an injury persist after the overt signs (swelling, scabbing, reduced range of motion) diminish, this may indicate a deeper issue.

If symptoms such as pain, bouts of swelling, and popping and cracking are present for longer than 3 months after the initial injury, the soft tissues at the site of the injury may be damaged.

2. Look for Palpation

If the symptoms of a soft tissue injury are present, the next step in diagnosing soft tissue damage is palpation. This is a fairly simple technique widely administered by clinicians around the world. It involves applying pressure to the afflicted area while it is in specific positions in order to induce a pain response similar to that of a soft tissue injury.

Every set of soft tissues within the body has a specific purpose. Cartilage lubricates the joints to help provide smooth movements without pain. Tendons and ligaments connect muscle to bone or bone to bone in order to provide the right amount of tension to induce movement.

By applying pressure to the tendons or ligaments while they are in movement and comparing the response to that of a healthy patient, doctors can localize a problem or merely detect if there is one present.

At home, these tests can be performed by researching the tendons, ligaments, and cartilage in the affected area, applying pressure to each individual area as it moves, and then comparing the response to the opposite end of the body.

As an example, if a person’s right wrist is the issue, they can apply pressure to the wrist as it bends, then compare their response to the left wrist. If the hips are the problem, they can lean to one side while applying pressure to that side of the hip, then do the same test on the other side.

Palpation can be used on any portion of the body, but some portions of the body may need an assistant present to help apply this pressure.

3. Check Via Stretching

Similar to palpation, stretching is used by clinicians to induce a pain response similar to that experienced due to soft tissue damage. Stretching a joint to its outer limits and holding it in that position for a period of 30 seconds to a minute should be enough to produce soft tissue damage symptoms.

If the stretch causes the joint to go numb, reduces a person’s range of motion for a period of time, or creates an unbearable pain, this may indicate an issue with the underlying soft tissues. Including palpation and comparison to the opposite joint can add depth to these stretch tests.

4. Compression and Constriction

Pain caused by soft tissue damage typically occurs when a portion of the body is moved in an uncommon way or has an undue burden placed on it. Oftentimes, compression and constriction of a joint or limb will help alleviate the pain caused by a soft tissue injury. If an individual attempts to use a band or brace to alleviate pain in their joint, and it successfully reduces pain for a period of time, they may have a soft tissue injury.

While this treatment may be effective momentarily, this does nothing to help a person recover their lost soft tissues, and the problem will only develop further over time.

If any of these at-home tests come out positive, it may be time to seek out medical advice. Confirming the issue is limited to the soft tissues in the body is simply the first step, developing a treatment plan with a trained physician is the only way to truly combat the progression of a soft tissue issue.

Some of the most impactful methods for diminishing the effects of a soft tissue problem are physical therapy, medication, and regenerative therapies such as stem cell and PRP therapy. Talk to your doctor today if you feel you have incurred any form of soft tissue damage.