Closed soft-tissue injuries are characterized by all of the following EXCEPT:

Closed soft-tissue injuries are indeed characterized by symptoms such as pain at the injury site, swelling beneath the skin, and often a history of blunt trauma. However, the defining feature of closed soft-tissue injuries is that there is no damage to the protective layer of skin. Unlike open injuries, closed injuries do not compromise the skin's integrity, allowing the underlying tissues to be injured without exposure to the external environment. This distinction is critical for understanding the nature of such injuries, particularly in pre-hospital assessment and treatment.

In cases of closed soft-tissue injuries, the trauma can result in contusions, hematomas, or strains, but the skin remains intact. This contrast with open injuries, in which the skin is broken and further complications like infection can arise, reinforces the importance of proper assessment and management in different scenarios of soft-tissue trauma.