Muscles Strain and Sprain

Muscles Strain

A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon — the fibrous tissue that connects muscles to bones. Minor injuries may only overstretch a muscle or tendon, while more severe injuries may involve partial or complete tears in these tissues. Sometimes called pulled muscles, strains commonly occur in the lower back and in the muscles at the back of the thigh (hamstrings).

The difference between a strain and a sprain is that a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone, while a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together.

Symptoms

Symptoms will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:

• Pain or tenderness
• Redness or bruising
• Limited motion
• Muscle spasms
• Swelling
• Muscle weakness

Causes

Muscle Strains can be caused by one event, such as using poor body mechanics to lift something heavy. Chronic muscle strains can result from repetitive injuries when you stress a muscle by doing the same motion over and over.

Risk factors

Participating in sports such as soccer, football, hockey, boxing and wrestling can increase your risk of muscle strains.

Certain parts of the body are more susceptible to strains during participation in certain sports. May include:

• Legs and ankles. Sports that feature quick starts and jumping, such as hurdling and basketball, can be particularly tough on the Achilles tendon in your ankle.
• Hands. Gripping sports, such as gymnastics or golf, can increase your risk of muscle strains in your hands.
• Elbows. Elbow strains are often caused by throwing sports and racquet sports.

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your doctor will check for swelling and points of tenderness. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage.

In more severe injuries, where the muscle or tendon has been completely ruptured, your doctor may be able to see or feel a defect in the area of injury. Ultrasound can help to find out the injuries.

Treatment

Orthopedic Specialist at Shreya Hospital, Ghaziabad can guide you for immediate self-care of a muscle strain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:

• Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. But don’t avoid all physical activity.
• Ice. Even if you’re seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake for the first few days after the injury.
• Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. Don’t wrap it too tightly or you may hinder circulation. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area.
• Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.

A physical therapist can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. For some injuries, such as a torn tendon, surgery may be considered.

Sprains

A Sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together.

Sprains injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together. Sprain is stretching or tearing of ligaments — the tough bands of fibrous tissue that connect two bones together in your joints. The most common location for a sprain is in your ankle.

The difference between a sprain and a strain is that a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together, while a strain involves an injury to a muscle or to the band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone.

Symptoms of Sprains

Symptoms of Sprain will vary, depending on the severity of the injury, and may include:

• Pain
• Swelling
• Bruising
• Limited ability to move the affected joint
• Hearing or feeling a “pop” in your joint at the time of injury

Causes of Sprains

A Sprain occurs when you overextend or tear a ligament while severely stressing a joint. Sprains often occur in the following circumstances:

• Ankle — Walking or exercising on an uneven surface, landing awkwardly from a jump
• Knee — Pivoting during an athletic activity
• Wrist — Landing on an outstretched hand during a fall
• Thumb — Skiing injury or overextension when playing racquet sports, such as tennis

Risk factors

Factors contributing to sprains include:

• Environmental conditions. Slippery or uneven surfaces can make you more prone to injury.
• Fatigue. Tired muscles are less likely to provide good support for your joints. When you’re tired, you’re also more likely to succumb to forces that could stress a joint.
• Poor equipment. Ill-fitting or poorly maintained footwear or other sporting equipment can contribute to your risk of a sprain.

Diagnosis

Orthopedic Specialists at Shreya Hospital Ghaziabad have expertise in diagnosing and treating Sprains. During the physical exam, they will check for swelling and points of tenderness in your affected limb. The location and intensity of your pain can help determine the extent and nature of the damage.

Sometimes X-rays are help full to find out a fracture or other bone injury as the source of the problem. Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) may also be used to help diagnose the severity of the injury.

Treatment

Doctor suggests self-care of a sprain, try the R.I.C.E. approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:

• Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. But don’t avoid all physical activity.
• Ice. Even if you’re seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. Use an ice pack or slush bath of ice and water for 15 to 20 minutes each time and repeat every two to three hours while you’re awake for the first few days after the injury.
• Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. Don’t wrap it too tightly or you may hinder circulation. Begin wrapping at the end farthest from your heart. Loosen the wrap if the pain increases, the area becomes numb or swelling is occurring below the wrapped area.
• Elevation. Elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, which allows gravity to help reduce swelling.

Over-the-counter pain medications such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, others) also can be helpful.

After the first two days, gently begin to use the injured area. You should see a gradual, progressive improvement in the joint’s ability to support your weight or your ability to move without pain. Recovery from sprains can take days to months.

Physical Therapist working with Shreya Hospital can help you to maximize stability and strength of the injured joint or limb. Your doctor may suggest that you immobilize the area with a brace or splint. For some injuries, such as a torn ligament, surgery may be considered.