Muscle strains

Muscle strains

Muscle strains are some of the most common sporting injuries, making up nearly half of all sporting injuries. The muscles that are most prone to strain are used to rapidly accelerate or decelerate, and are most common in the hamstrings, thigh, and calf muscles. Muscles consist of millions of individual fibres and when they can’t handle the stress placed on them, they can become torn.

WHAT ARE THE GRADES OF MUSCLE STRAIN?

There are 3 grades or severities of muscle strains.

Grade I:

• A small number of muscle fibres are strained

• Symptoms: pain, but no loss of strength or movement

Grade II:

• Up to 50% of muscle fibres are strained

• Symptoms: pain and swelling, reduced strength, movement is limited by pain

Grade III:

• 50-100% of muscle fibres are strained

• Symptoms: severe swelling and pain, complete loss of function

Healing times?

Recovery is divided into 3 phases. Healing times can vary based on your age, type injury, and other comorbities.

1. ACUTE INFLAMMATORY PHASE

0-72 hours following injury

The body’s first reaction to injury is inflammation, which is a protective response. Inflammation helps to contain the injury, limit further harm, destroy damaged tissue, and provide ideal conditions for healing. Common signs of inflammation is include:

• Swelling

• Bruising

• Redness

• Heat

• Pain, especially with movement

• Loss of strength and/or movement

Swelling is very common during this phase due to blood flow and plasma entering the injured area. Blood flow brings nutrients, oxygen, and cells to break down dead or damaged tissues. Plasma brings your immune cells into the area to begin healing.

2. REPAIR PHASE

72 hours to 4-6 weeks following the injury.

Here, the body is breaking down damaged tissue, and starting to build new blood vessels in the injured area. A scar matrix is starting to be built by collagen producing cells, this will help close the wound and protect the new blood vessels. Your body is laying down collagen fibres very quickly and randomly, making the injured area weak and prone to re-injury.

Pain should start to subside during this phase, often tricking people to believe their injury is healed. It is not! The injury is at it’s most vulnerable here, so it is important to avoid applying heavy loads through the injured area (e.g. weights, jumping, running).

3. REMODELLING PHASE

6 weeks to 12 months following the injury.

During this time, your body is working to strengthen and reorganize the scar tissue through laying down stronger collagen fibers. To help promote a more organized and strong pattern of fibers, we start to load the injured area.Our physios will tailor this loading to the activities and goals you require for sport or everyday life.