Soft tissue injuries such as sprains, strains, and sore muscles, can happen to anyone, whether you’re an athlete, weekend warrior, or simply take a misstep on uneven ground. At Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center, we specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of soft tissue injuries to help you get back to your life with strength and mobility restored. Whether your injury is acute or chronic, we’re here to provide personalized care using the latest techniques in orthopedic medicine.
Diagnosing Soft Tissue Injuries
Soft tissue injuries affect the muscles, ligaments, and tendons that support your bones and joints. Diagnosing these injuries accurately is key to proper healing and long-term mobility. At Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center, our team starts with a detailed physical exam and medical history. We may also use advanced imaging techniques like MRI or ultrasound to assess the extent of the damage and rule out more serious conditions such as fractures or joint dislocations.
Early diagnosis allows us to develop a tailored treatment plan that aligns with your recovery goals, whether that’s returning to competitive sports or simply enjoying pain-free movement.
Soft Tissue Injury Care in Charlottesville
From minor muscle strains to complex tendon tears, our team treats a wide range of soft tissue injuries with a focus on conservative care, functional recovery, and long-term prevention. Below are some of the most common soft tissue injuries we treat, along with how we help patients heal and get back to doing what they love.
Sprains
A sprain occurs when ligaments, or tough bands of connective tissue that connect bones, are stretched or torn, often due to a sudden twist or fall. Ankle and knee sprains are especially common. We provide both non-surgical treatments like bracing, physical therapy, and PRP injections, as well as surgical repair when needed.
Strains
Strains affect muscles or tendons and usually result from overuse, improper movement, or lifting heavy objects. Hamstring and lower back strains are frequently seen in active individuals. Our care plans often include rest, physical therapy, and gradual return-to-activity programs to prevent re-injury.
Tendonitis
Tendonitis is inflammation of a tendon, typically caused by repetitive motion. Common types include tennis elbow, golfer’s elbow, and Achilles tendonitis. We manage these conditions with anti-inflammatory therapies, targeted exercises, and sometimes regenerative treatments like platelet-rich plasma (PRP) therapy.
Bursitis
Bursitis is inflammation of the bursae, which are small fluid-filled sacs that cushion your joints. It often affects the shoulder, hip, or elbow. Our team treats bursitis with rest, anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, and corticosteroid injections when necessary.
Contusions (Bruises)
Contusions occur when direct impact damages small blood vessels, leading to discoloration, swelling, and pain. While most bruises heal on their own, severe contusions may need medical evaluation to ensure there’s no deeper tissue damage.
Muscle Tears
Partial or complete muscle tears can be the result of acute trauma or chronic overuse. These injuries require prompt diagnosis to determine whether physical therapy or surgical repair is the best course of action for full recovery.
Overuse Injuries
Overuse injuries develop gradually over time from repetitive stress, commonly affecting runners, swimmers, and manual laborers. Conditions like shin splints or patellar tendonitis fall into this category. We focus on activity modification, biomechanical correction, and customized rehab to promote healing.
Request an Appointment Today
At Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center, we’re committed to helping you recover quickly and fully with compassionate, expert care. Whether your injury is recent or lingering, we’ll work with you every step of the way to ensure a safe and lasting return to movement. Contact our Charlottesville, VA, office today to schedule an appointment.
Our Providers
The providers at Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center are highly skilled and experienced in their respective specialties.
Patient Resources
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Complimentary Movement Screening
Charlottesville Orthopaedic Center offers complimentary movement screenings to assess your movement, identify imbalances, and help prevent injuries. Whether you’re active, recovering, or want to move better, our expert phsycial therapists provide personalized recommendations for your long-term mobility and wellness.
Contact UsWhat Our Patients Say
The whole team is great from the from the front desk to the operating room. They all went above and beyond to make sure I had an excellent surgery and follow up appointments. Thank you guys for a great experience.
I want to share that my experience at this clinic was 10/10. I was supremely impressed by the friendliness of the front office staff, the x-ray technician, and the Physician Assistant, Natalie. I am so grateful I was referred here by Dr. Sam Spillman. Special thanks to Natalie for taking my appointment last minute, and providing exceptional care for my injured knee.
I was able to get a same day appointment after every other place I called turned me away. In the end, I was glad I got turned away elsewhere because I can’t imagine any other practice being more caring and understanding.
