Aside from the skeleton, the remainder of the body most commonly injured is collectively called soft tissue. These soft tissues or connective tissues allow for our movement, flexibility and stability.

Tendons attach muscles to bones while ligaments attach bone to bone. Injuries to tendons are called strains and involve a tear twist or pull of a muscle. Injuries to ligaments are called sprains and occur in response to a trauma and can range from a stretch to a tear.

The cartilage is a connective tissue that is strong and flexible and serves as our initial skeleton until the bones are formed and found in adults mainly in the joints. Cartilage is commonly torn in the knee in both job and sports injuries.

The nerves are soft tissue structures in the spine. The nerves serve as our messengers from the brain to the body to carry out any function both voluntary and involuntary or automatic. When back injuries occur these nerves can be irritated and entrapped or “pinched” due to a change in the position of the vertebrae, the individual bones that comprise the spinal column.

Also a soft tissue of the spine, the discs are located between the bones of the spine and allow for our neck and back motion and stability. Injuries to discs typically involve an awkward motion such as bending and twisting with weight bearing coupled with weight or force that was too great for the disc to support in that position. When this happens the disc can tear fibers and the disc substance moves from center outward termed a disc protrusion or disc herniation.

Often the symptoms we experience following an injury include local or radiating pain, numbness, tingling, swelling, loss of sleep and more. This coupled with the stress and uncertainty of present and future work capabilities can lead to associated depression or anxiety.

The initial step to achieving a desirable outcome from an occupational injury is to become proactive and have an understanding about your injury. This will allow you and the doctor you choose to work together to accomplish your short term and long term health goals.