Strain

• What is a strain?

  • Stretch and/or tear of muscle fibres and/or tendon (connects muscle to bone)
  • Happens when a muscle has been stretched beyond its limits or has been forced to contract too strongly
• Typically affects:

  • The foot
  • Hamstring (posterior thigh) - very common
  • Back
• Strain symptoms:

  • Muscle pain
  • Cramping and spasm
  • Muscle weakness
  • Inflammation and/or bruising
• Classified by severity:

  • First degree (mild) - a few muscle fibres affected. Injured muscle is tender but normal strength.
  • Second degree (moderate) - several injured muscle fibred. More severe pain and tenderness. Mild swelling, some loss of strength. Sometimes visible bruise
  • Third degree (severe) - muscle torn all the way through sometimes causing a popping sensation. Total loss of muscle function, severe pain and swelling, visible bruise
• Mild strains usually heal within 2 weeks
• Severe strains can take months to heal and may require surgery to repair
• Acute complications:

  • Hemarthrosis - painful tender joint swelling immediately after injury - articular bleeding
  • Compartment syndrome - following severe strains
• Chronic complications:

  • Instability, loss of function, chronic pain and swelling
  • Muscle atrophy and fibrosis - particularly with severe strains
  • Complex regional pain syndrome