Soft Tissue of the Body

What is soft tissue?

Soft tissue is an umbrella term for many forms of nonhardened tissue throughout your body. It’s common for healthcare providers to use this term to differentiate softer tissues from nearby bones.

Soft tissue isn’t one of the four true types of tissues (epithelial, connective, muscle and nervous). But this term is common among healthcare professionals and laypersons alike.

Soft tissue surrounds your bones and other internal structures throughout your body. It can refer to:

• Skin
• Subcutaneous fat
• Fascia
• Muscles
• Softer connective tissues like ligaments and tendons around your joints

Hard vs. soft tissue

Hard tissue happens in one of two ways:

• Ossification. This is how your body forms bones from calcium and specialized cells called fibroblasts. It’s usually a normal process, but there are rare diseases that can cause it to happen in ways that it shouldn’t.
• Calcification. This is when calcium builds up in tissues that are normally soft. Sometimes, it’s normal and healthy. But it can also happen with many types of diseases.

What does soft tissue do?

Different types of soft tissues have different jobs.

• Skin. Your skin is the barrier between the inside of your body and the outside world. It also plays a role in how your body controls its internal temperature. The nerve endings in your skin also help you gather vital information about the world around you.
• Subcutaneous fat. This type of tissue has a couple of different jobs. One job is energy storage. Your body converts nutrients into fat for long-term storage. Fat also forms a protective, cushioning layer in many places, softening movement forces that can injure deeper tissues.
• Fascia. This type of tissue is there to help separate different types of tissues like muscles or fat. That boundary is important to your body’s structure and how it works.
• Muscles. There are multiple types of muscles, each with different jobs. Some muscles move things inside your body, like how your heart pumps blood. Other muscle tissue helps you move parts or all of your body around.
• Softer connective tissues. Ligaments link bones to bones, and tendons link ligaments to bones.

Connective tissue vs. soft tissue

“Soft tissue” and “connective tissue” aren’t interchangeable. There’s a lot of overlap between them, since ligaments and tendons are both soft and connective. But bones are both hard and connective tissue. So, don't hesitate to ask if you're unclear on what someone — especially your provider — means when they talk about soft or connective tissue.

What are soft tissue injuries?

Experts use the term “soft tissue injury” to distinguish them from bone injuries like fractures. Some injuries that they might describe as soft tissue injuries include:

• Cartilage injuries like a torn meniscus
• Skin tears (lacerations), scrapes (abrasions) and bruises
• Penetrating injuries like from bites, sharp items or from projectiles such as bullets
• Muscle contusions
• Muscle strains and tears
• Pressure injuries (bedsores)
• Sprains
• Torn ligaments or tendons

Soft tissue is a general term, so it can apply to many tissues and injuries to them. If you aren’t sure what kind of soft tissue injury a healthcare provider is talking about, don’t feel bad about asking for clarification. Your understanding can make a difference in your treatment and recovery.

What are some other conditions that can affect soft tissues?

Many medical conditions (which can happen without injuries) can also affect soft tissues. They include:

• Chronic inflammatory conditions like fibromyalgia and rheumatoid arthritis
• Infections
• Nerve compression conditions like carpal tunnel syndrome
• Joint inflammation and/or pain from conditions like bursitis
• Tumors, including benign growths and cancers

What are some common signs or symptoms of a soft tissue condition?

Soft tissue conditions and injuries can cause one or more of the following symptoms:

• Bruising or bleeding
• Mechanical instability (where a limb or joint wobbles or buckles at times)
• Pain, soreness or tenderness
• Stiffness
• Swelling

What are some common tests to check for soft tissue injuries and conditions?

Soft tissue injuries and conditions are often diagnosed with a physical exam and imaging scans. Imaging tests like X-rays or computed tomography (CT) scans are especially useful because they can rule out bone injuries. If it’s not your bones, it’s more likely the soft tissues nearby.

Other imaging scans like magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may help diagnose soft tissue conditions. Other types of lab tests are also possible. Your healthcare provider is the best source of information about these. Your provider can recommend tests and explain how they might help.

What are some possible treatments for soft tissue injuries?

Soft tissue injuries can benefit from a variety of treatments. One of the most important approaches is the RICE method:

• Rest. Taking it easy on the affected part gives it time to heal.
• Ice. Cooling an injury can reduce swelling and ease pain.
• Compression. This puts gentle pressure on an injury, supporting the tissue and helping it heal.
• Elevation. Propping the affected body part higher than your heart can reduce swelling.

Depending on the injury, other treatments may help, too. They include:

• Medications. Pain relievers and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can ease pain and/or swelling. This often includes products you can get over the counter. But you should always talk to a healthcare provider about whether you can or should take medications.
• Surgery. In severe cases, like with torn ligaments or tendons, you might need surgery to repair an injury.
• Physical or occupational therapy. These treatments help you strengthen affected body parts and work around injuries or limitations. You’ll receive expert guidance from medical professionals as part of these approaches.
• Complementary medicine. Some soft tissue injuries may benefit from complementary medicine techniques. An example would be therapeutic massage for muscle soreness and strains.

Treatment for soft tissue conditions

Soft tissue conditions may need very different treatments than injuries do. The treatments depend mainly on the underlying cause, but other factors like your health history can play a role, too. Your healthcare provider is the best person to tell you about treatment options for soft tissue injuries.

How can I take care of my soft tissue?

Soft tissues can benefit from many of the same things that take care of your body overall. They include:

• Eat a variety of healthy foods. Soft tissues benefit from proper nutrition.
• Reach and maintain a weight that’s healthy for you. This can help you avoid strain and injuries.
• Stay physically active. Regular physical activity can help with soft tissue strength and flexibility.
• Don’t overdo it. Be careful not to push too hard, especially if you have a soft tissue injury. Trying to push through the pain might just make the injury worse.
• Don’t delay medical care. If you think you have a soft tissue injury and it isn’t getting better after several days of self-treatment, talk to a healthcare provider. Getting care quickly may help you recover faster and avoid complications.