Which refers to a partial tearing of a muscle

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Although the intensity varies, all sprains commonly cause pain, swelling, bruising, and inflammation. The ankle is the most commonly sprained joint. And a sprained ankle is more likely if you've had a previous sprain there. Repeated sprains can lead to ankle arthritis, a loose ankle or tendon injury. Acute strains are caused by stretching or pulling a muscle or tendon. Chronic strains are the result of overuse of muscles and tendons, through prolonged, repetitive movement. Not getting enough rest during intense training can cause a strain.

In severe strains, the muscle, tendon, or both are partially or completely ruptured, resulting in serious injury. Some muscle function will be lost with a moderate strain, in which the muscle, tendon, or both are overstretched and slightly torn.

With a mild strain, the muscle or tendon is stretched or pulled, slightly. Back strain. This happens when the muscles that support the spine are twisted, pulled, or torn. Athletes who engage in excessive jumping or twisting—during basketball or volleyball, for example—are at risk for this injury. Hamstring muscle strain. This is when a major muscle in the back of the thigh tears or stretches. The injury can sideline a person for up to 6 months. The likely cause is muscle strength imbalance between the hamstrings and the quadriceps, the muscles in the front of the thigh.

Kicking a football, running, or leaping to make a basket can pull a hamstring. Hamstring injuries tend to happen again. Bone breaks, unlike sprains and strains, should always be looked at by a healthcare provider to make sure of proper healing. Patients often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed.

After this inflammatory phase, the muscle begins to heal by regenerating muscle fibers from stem cells that live around the area of injury. However, a significant amount of scar tissue also forms where the muscle was injured. Over time, this scar tissue remodels, but the muscle tissue never fully regenerates.

It is thought that this makes a strained muscle prone to future injury. The diagnosis is usually made based on patient history and physical exam. In severe, grade 3 cases, the examining physician may actually be able to feel the defect where the muscle has completely torn. An X-ray may be helpful to rule out a fracture or dislocation as the cause of pain. Occasionally in young athletes, the tendon can pull off a piece of bone where it attaches, which can be seen on X-rays.

However, pure muscle injuries cannot be seen on regular X-rays. An MRI can sometimes be helpful to determine where the injury has occurred and whether there is complete rupture or not. MRIs can also show collections of blood, called a hematoma, that sometimes occur following severe injuries.

If there is a partial tear then the athlete can return when they are pain free and have normal strength and motion. This usually occurs following anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of appropriate treatment and therapy. When the muscle is completely ruptured, the athlete may benefit from surgical repair. The majority of acute muscle injuries are partial thickness tears. These can most often be treated successfully with:. These treatements will be done for the first week, followed by progressive functional physical therapy, as needed.

Many athletes are able to return to their previous level of competition, but since scar tissue forms at the site of injury, they may susceptible to another injury at that location.

Complete muscle injuries can lead to significant functional impairment and lost playing time and may require surgical repair. This is especially the case for patients who need to be able to run or be sufficiently agile to participate in sport.

Platelet-rich plasma PRP injections may be able to help accelerate the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue. Return to full activity is usually allowed when the patient is pain free, has full range of motion, and full strength. If an athlete attempts to return to their sport before these criteria are met, there is a high chance of reinjuring the muscle and sustaining a setback.

Mild, grade 1 injuries may require only two to three weeks before an athlete can return. More severe injuries may require significantly more time.

Such a long period of lost playing time is less than ideal for professional and elite athletes, and some have advocated more aggressive treatment in this group. In a study that examined professional football players with severe hamstring tears with palpable defects, an intramuscular cortisone injection lead to a return to full activity time of 7. Intramuscular corticosteroid injection for hamstring injuries.