When should a patient seek immediate medical attention for a soft-tissue injury?

Seeking immediate medical attention for a soft-tissue injury is critical when bleeding does not stop after 10 minutes of direct pressure. This indicates that the bleeding may be significant or that a larger blood vessel has been damaged, which can lead to serious complications such as shock or excessive blood loss. The standard procedure for controlling bleeding involves applying direct pressure to the wound for a minimum of ten minutes; if this does not result in cessation of bleeding, further medical evaluation and intervention are necessary.

The other scenarios, although concerning, do not necessarily require immediate medical attention. Swelling and bruising may occur with many soft-tissue injuries and are often part of the body's natural response to injury. Numbness in the area can be a sign of nerve involvement, but it may not always indicate an emergency. Lastly, an injury that appears minor and manageable should still be assessed if any symptoms like bleeding or pain are present, but it does not warrant the same level of urgency as uncontrolled bleeding.