OVERVIEW

What is a muscle strain?

A muscle strain is an injury caused by sudden contraction or excessive stretching of a muscle during exercise.

After a muscle strain, the affected area experiences severe pain, and a hard, rope-like lump formed by tense muscle fibers can be felt by touch, which is very painful. Sometimes swelling or minor bleeding may occur at the injury site. It is one of the most common sports injuries.

Is a muscle strain serious?

In most cases, a muscle strain involves only a small number of torn muscle fibers, with mild symptoms such as pain and swelling. Applying topical medication or an ice pack can lead to recovery within a few days or two to three weeks.

If a large portion or the entire muscle is torn, it causes intense pain and prevents stretching of the affected muscle. In such cases, emergency compression bandaging should be applied, and the patient should be sent to the hospital immediately for further treatment.

Where do muscle strains commonly occur?

Muscle strains often occur in the following areas: the back of the thigh, the side or back of the waist, the back of the lower leg, the forearm, the upper arm, and the thigh muscles.

SYMPTOMS

What are the symptoms of a muscle strain?

• Local pain, tenderness, swelling, stiffness, spasms, and difficulty stretching in the strained area.
• Pain worsens during muscle contraction, and the muscle contraction resistance test is positive.
• Some patients may experience a tearing sensation at the injury site, with significant swelling and severe subcutaneous bruising. If a depression or abnormal bulge is felt upon touch, it may indicate a muscle rupture.

What types of muscle strains are there?

Muscle strains can be classified into active strains and passive strains.

• Active strain: Occurs when a muscle contracts forcefully and exceeds its capacity, leading to a strain.
• Passive strain: Results when a muscle is stretched beyond its normal range of motion, causing injury.

CAUSES

What are the causes of muscle strains?

• Insufficient warm-up, engaging in intense activity before muscles reach the required state.
• Weak physical condition, poor muscle flexibility and strength, fatigue or excessive load, incorrect posture, etc.
• External factors such as low temperature, high humidity, or overly hard surfaces.

DIAGNOSIS

How is a muscle strain diagnosed?

Clinically, the muscle resistance test is commonly used.

This is a simple method where the patient actively contracts the injured muscle while the examiner applies resistance. The area where pain occurs during this resistance is the site of the muscle strain.

How to distinguish between a muscle strain and muscle soreness?

Muscle soreness is a normal, positive physiological response. It often occurs after strength training or unfamiliar exercise, causing noticeable discomfort, but these symptoms naturally disappear after rest.

• A muscle strain occurs suddenly due to an injurious movement, whereas muscle soreness develops gradually.
• Stretching can relieve muscle soreness, but for a muscle strain, stretching worsens the pain. This method helps differentiate between the two.

How to distinguish between a muscle strain and a ligament sprain?

Both muscle strains and ligament sprains cause obvious pain, swelling, and local bruising.

Generally, the pain from a ligament sprain is more intense than that of a muscle strain, and the resulting mobility impairment is more severe. Muscle strains occur in muscle groups, while ligament sprains occur near joints. These differences help distinguish between the two.

TREATMENT

Which department should you go to for a muscle strain?

For a muscle strain, you can generally visit the general surgery or orthopedic surgery department for diagnosis and treatment, or the sports medicine, pain management, or massage department.

What are the treatment principles for a muscle strain?

After a muscle strain, immediately apply cold therapy by rinsing the affected area with cold water or using an ice pack wrapped in a towel. Then, wrap the injured area with a bandage to prevent swelling. After 24–48 hours, remove the bandage and apply topical patches to promote blood circulation, accelerate bruise absorption, and reduce swelling. Gentle heat therapy or massage can also be applied.

If a small number of muscle fibers in the thigh are torn, apply cold therapy immediately, wrap the area with compression, and elevate the affected limb. For extensive or complete muscle tears, seek surgical suturing at a hospital after compression bandaging.

What does the RICE treatment for muscle strains mean in medicine?

It stands for four steps: R-Rest, I-Ice, C-Compression, E-Elevation.

• R-Rest: Patients with muscle strains should reduce or stop physical activity and rest more.
• I-Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold towel to the strained area to reduce swelling and relieve pain.
• C-Compression: Use gauze or tape to apply pressure and wrap the injured area.
• E-Elevation: Elevate the injured limb to promote blood circulation and prevent bruising.

How to treat a muscle strain?

If a small number of muscle fibers in the thigh are torn, apply cold therapy immediately, wrap the area with compression, and elevate the affected limb. For extensive or complete muscle tears, seek surgical suturing at a hospital after compression bandaging.

• Ice therapy: The easiest method is to place ice cubes in a plastic bag and apply it to the area for about 20 minutes. Some stinging may occur during the process.
• Compression bandaging: After icing, wrap the injured area with a bandage to prevent swelling. It’s best to wrap the muscle in an extended position to avoid affecting muscle contraction, which is key to preventing re-injury.
• Elevation: For more severe cases, elevate the injured limb and take pain-relieving or hemostatic medication. After removing the bandage, apply topical medication to promote blood circulation and reduce swelling, or perform gentle massage.
• Topical ointments: Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory creams, such as Voltaren Emulgel, can be used for localized anti-inflammatory and pain relief.

How to perform rehabilitation exercises for a leg muscle strain?

• Gentle leg stretches: Place your right leg on a support slightly below waist height, keep your hips level, and stand with your left leg perpendicular to the ground. Keep your knee straight and lean forward to stretch. Repeat for a few minutes, then switch legs. Perform 3–5 times daily.
• Lunges: Take a large step forward with your left leg, bend the knee slightly above parallel, and keep your right leg straight with toes pointing inward.
• Resistance band exercises: Lie face down on a mat with resistance bands tied around your ankles. Secure the other end and alternate quick flexion and extension of the legs.

DIET & LIFESTYLE

What should be noted for muscle strains?

• If there is skin damage: For superficial wounds, clean the wound with saline solution, then disinfect the injured area with iodine or benzalkonium chloride solution, and cover it with sterile gauze under pressure.
• After a muscle strain occurs: Stop activity immediately and avoid heavy physical labor.
• During daily work and exercise: Reduce intensity to prevent re-injury.

What dietary precautions should be taken for muscle strains?

• Maintain a light diet and eat more fresh vegetables and fruits.
• Muscle recovery requires high-quality protein. Vegetarians can consume egg products or soy products, such as soy milk and tofu.
• Stay hydrated daily.

PREVENTION

How to Prevent Muscle Strains?

Preventing muscle strains primarily involves addressing their causes.

• Warm up properly before intense exercise, especially focusing on areas prone to strains.
• Those with weaker physiques or lower fitness levels should exercise within their limits to avoid overexertion and excessive load.
• Improve exercise techniques and movement coordination, avoid excessive force, enhance training conditions, and pay attention to the temperature of the exercise environment.
• When exercising outdoors in winter, stay warm by wearing adequate clothing, and monitor muscle responses such as stiffness and fatigue levels.
• After a muscle strain, gradually return to training without rushing, and strengthen local protection to prevent reinjury.