commonly referred to as strains or pulls

injury resulting to muscle pain, weakness, and

reduced muscle performance
this can be in the form of tearing of the muscle
fibers and the tendons attached to the muscle
it can also be categorized as strains, bruises,
detached injuries(avulsions), and exercise
induced-injury.
CLASSIFICATION
Previous Muscle Injury
Classification System
Categorizes mucle injuries into grades
O' Donoghue - devised one of the
more widely used mucle injury system
- related to the amount of tissue
damage and associated functional loss
Ryan - classification for quadriceps injury
Takebayashi et al - published in 1995
- ultrasound based
Stoller - currently most widely used
classification
- defines four grades
- MRI- based
Functional muscle disorder
An acute indirect muscle disorder '
without macroscopic ' evidence of
muscular tear.
Structural muscle injury
Any acute muscle injury ' with
macroscopic ' evidence of muscle
tear.
Contusions
also called muscle bruises
heal quickly even without
special medical treatment.
often caused by a direct trauma
or repeated blow to the muscle
Muscle strains
occur when the muscle is overstretched or
pulled, with or without tearing of the muscle
caused by a sudden or forceful contraction of the
muscle or repetitive movement
There are two types of strains:
Chronic strains that result from overuse of
muscles and tendons, or inadequate rest during
intensive training.
Acute strains that result from a direct blow to the
body, overstretching, or excessive muscle
contraction.
Classification based on severity:
Mild strains, in which the muscle/tendon is
slightly stretched or pulled.

Moderate strains, in which the muscle/tendon is
overstretched and slightly torn, which results in
some loss of function.

Severe strains, in which the muscle and/or
tendon is partially or completely ruptured, often
resulting in an incapacitating injury.
The two most common strains are:
Back strain: a twisting, pulling, or tearing
of the muscles supporting the spine.

Hamstring muscle strain: a tear or
stretch of a major muscle in the back
of the thigh
caused by a muscle strength
imbalance between the hamstrings
and the quadriceps muscles in the
front of the thigh
tend to recur.
Tendonitis
inflammation of the tendon strong fibrous
connective tissue connecting a muscle to a bone.

may also be accompanied by a muscle strain

occurs when the tendon is irritated and inflamed

caused by a sudden pull on the tendon and
overuse or repetitive movements
SIGNS & SYMPTOMPS
Muscle spasm/Cramp sudden uncontrollable
muscle contraction.

Pain
>Pain when the specific muscle or the joint in
relation to that muscle is used
>Pain at rest

Limited motion due to pain, person tends to move
less.

GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF MUSCLE
INJURY OR STRAINS
Inflammation local response that serves as
mechanism initiating the
elimination of noxious agents and of
damaged tissue.

Swelling expansion of tissues due to
inflammation.

Bruising or redness - discoloration of the
affected area.
GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF MUSCLE
INJURY OR STRAINS
GENERAL SYMPTOMS OF MUSCLE
INJURY OR STRAINS
Muscle weakness or the decrease in muscle
strength.

Loss of muscle function - in cases of Grade III
muscle injuries.

A gap, dent or other defect in the normal outline
of the muscle (in Grade III strain) .
EXPECTED DURATION

How long a sprain lasts depends on the location
and severity of the injury.

*Mild (Grade I) strain - usually improve within one
to two weeks and are gone within four to six
weeks.

*Moderate (Grade II) strain - can take up to 8 to
10 weeks or more to heal.

*Severe (Grade III) strain - may persist until the torn
muscle is repaired surgically.

CAUSES OF MUSCLE INJURIES
A strain is caused by twisting or pulling a
muscle or tendon. Strains can happen
suddenly or develop over days or weeks.
Sudden (acute) strain is caused by:
A recent injury
Lifting heavy objects the wrong way
Overstressing the muscles.
not warming up properly before physical
activity


Chronic strains are usually caused by
moving the muscles and tendons the same
way over and over.
sports like rowing, tennis, golf, or baseball
holding your back or neck in an awkward
position
poor posture

RISK FACTORS

Athletic activities, especially those with
running, lifting, and jumping
Tight muscles
Fatigue
Overexertion
Cold weather

Self care and at home

1. Rest recommended for early recovery phase that last
for 1-5 days depending on the severity of the injury.
2. Ice application of this helps reduce swelling,
bleesing and pain.
3. Anti-inflammatory medications it can help reduce
swelling and alleviate painful symptoms
4. Gentle stretching and strengthening - stretching and
strengthening are useful for treatment of muscle
injuries.
6. Avoid muscle fatigue especially for athletes,
they should use caution
7. Warm up properly before a competition,
warming up will help loosen the muscle and
prevent injuries
8. Elevation of the injured area to decrease
swelling
9. Rehabilitation begins following the 48 to 72
hours

Or simply the P.R.I.C.E. THERAPY.

When to seek professional care:
Call your doctor promptly if:
You hear or feel a pop in your muscle at the time of injury.
You have severe pain, swelling or discoloration in the injured
muscle.
Your injured muscle is obviously weak or has difficulty moving
compared to the same muscle on the opposite side of your body.
You have mild muscle symptoms that do not improve after 48
hours.
You have severe back pain that makes it impossible for you to do
normal daily activities, or you have mild back pain that worsens
after a few days.
You are being treated for a strained back and your symptoms do
not improve within two weeks.

http://orthopedics.about.com/od/sprainstraintreatment/ht/m
uscle.htm
http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/muscle-strain.html
http://www.acsm.org/docs/brochures/sprains-strains-and-
tears.pdf
http://www.drugs.com/health-guide/muscle-strain.html
http://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/guide/muscle-
strain
http://pediatrics.about.com/od/symptoms/a/05_strains.htm