SOFT-TISSUE INJURIES AND MUSCLE TEARS

Soft-tissue injuries and muscle tears occur frequently in athletes. Th e mainstay of treatment in most cases is nonoperative management and a ggressive rehabilitation. Most injuries result from direct trauma or c ontusion or indirect stretch injury. It is important to keep in mind t he possibility of other potentially more serious conditions, such as c ompartment syndrome. More research is needed to define optimal treatme nt patterns and potential strategies for injury prevention.