06 Apr Muscle Strain, How to React?
Muscle strain is an injury that can occur frequently during sports activities or demanding daily activities. It happens when there is a rapid, forceful movement while the muscle is in a stretched position. This causes the muscle fibers to stretch beyond their flexibility, resulting in a strain. The most commonly affected muscles are the hamstrings, quadriceps, and gastrocnemius (calf).
The severity of a muscle strain can be classified on a three-grade scale, with grade 1 being the mildest.
Grade 1 is described as a stretch of the muscle fibers without tearing. There may be slight swelling at the site of the strain, along with pain during muscle stretching and contraction.
Grade 2 is described as a stretch that causes a partial tear in the muscle fibers. This leads to more significant swelling and bruising appearing 2 to 3 days after the injury. The pain is more intense, and walking may be slightly more limited compared to the previous grade.
Grade 3 is described as a stretch that causes a complete tear of the muscle fibers. The symptoms are much more intense and limiting. The pain can be severe even at rest, and limping becomes apparent while walking.
If you believe you have a muscle strain, regardless of the severity, the first action to take is to stop the activity you are doing to prevent further injury. Afterwards, applying ice is the best way to relieve pain for the first 3 to 5 days after the incident. Avoid stretching and massaging the painful area of the injured muscle. By promptly consulting with your physiotherapist, they can determine the grade of your injury and design an appropriate exercise program for you to start once the initial inflammatory phase is resolved.