Soft and hard tissue are two classifications for sports injuries. Sports injuries can be either soft tissue injuries or hard tissue injuries, not both. Remember, you need to combine this classification with either direct or indirect for a full classification.

Soft Tissue injuries

Injuries are classified as soft tissue injuries if they occur to soft tissue in the body. Soft tissue include all muscles, ligaments, tendons, skin, organs etc. Everything except bone and teeth. Soft tissue injuries can be direct such as a blister or bruise at the sight of external force, or they can be indirect injuries caused by internal forces such as a strain or sprain. e.g.) a sprained ankle is a indirect soft tissue injury or a black eye from a punch to the eye is a direct soft tissue injury.

Hard Tissue injuries

Hard tissue injuries are injuries to the bone or teeth, i.e. injuries of the skeleton. Hard tissue injuries include breaks and dislocations, including lost teeth. Hard tissue injuries are less frequent than soft tissue injuries in sport, but are often more serious. An example of a hard tissue injury is a dislocated shoulder from a poor tackle in rugby league, therefore also direct.

Remember you need to identify different types of injury. Make sure the injury has two (2) classifications for a complete classification of the injury e.g.) a laceration of the leg from an ice-skate during a hockey game is a direct soft tissue injury.

Soft and hard tissue injury classifications are opposing and cannot be combined in the classification of sports injuries.