Muscle Injuries

What are muscle injuries?
Our muscles are made up of fibres which can be contracted or shortened in response to impulses carried by nerves. All voluntary physical movement is brought about by the contraction of muscles known as striated muscles; other types of muscle, known as smooth and cardiac muscles, are involved in unconscious processes such as digestion and heartbeat. When we speak of muscle injuries we are referring to injuries sustained by the striated muscles, which can be injured by being forced to stretch too much. This causes damage to the muscle’s fibrous tissue, which is literally torn. As a result there may be bleeding in the tissue and the muscle may become swollen.

Muscle injuries caused in this way through tissue damage are common. More rarely, a muscle may be so badly injured that it is ruptured – that is, torn right through.

What causes muscle injuries?
A muscle injury is the result of a muscle being overstretched. This happens easily through a sudden movement, reaching too far, lifting something that is soo heavy, or sometimes even through laughing or sneezing violently-particularly when someone is either unfit, tense or cold. It is in order to minimize the risk of muscle injuries that athletes, sportsmen and women and dancers warm up before they go into action.

Muscle injuries are referred to as pulls, tears or strains and usually no really clear distinction is made between these different terms. People are frequently confused about the difference between a strain and a sprain. In fact, strains are muscle or tendon injuries, in which only a few fibres are torn, whereas sprains are injuries to the ligaments which bind the joints together. Both types of injury can be caused in the same way – by sudden movements, falls or unaccustomed exercise.

How are muscle injuries diagnosed and treated?
These injuries cause pain and restricted movement, and you will usually be aware of them when they occur. There will be pain or stiffness on moving, possibly with swelling or tenderness in the area of the injured muscle. An x-ray may be needed to establish that a fracture is not responsible for any of these symptoms.

In many cases the muscle will heal without medical attention, although in some cases the injury may be so painful at first that painkillers are needed. Muscle-relaxant drugs and the support of a bandage can help.

What can I do myself?
In the early stages, rest the affected area and apply a cold compress or ice pack a pack of frozen peas is an ideal substitude to reduce swelling and soothe pain. If the pain is severe, take some painkillers-aspirin or ibuprofen are the most effective – in the recommended dose. If possible, give the injury the support of a crepe bandage, but do not apply this too tightly or the circulation may be impaired.

Try not to use the effected muscle for at least two days or until any swelling has gone down. Muscle injuries heal with some scarring of the damaged fibres, which cause muscles to shorten in length. For this reason, it is very important to do gentle stretching exercises before returning to anything more vigorous.

When should I see my doctor?
Most muscle injuries heal on their own quite quickly and it is usually not necessary to see your doctor. However, if the pain or swelling is very severe, or if the symptoms do not begin to clear up after a few days and cause you concern, see your doctor.

What will the doctor do?
The doctor will examine the injury and check on your range of movements. A stronger painkiller or muscle relaxant drug may be prescribed and you may be advised to support the injury with a bandage, a sling for an arm injury or crutches for a leg injury. This will allow you to rest the damaged muscle while it heals. In some cases it may be put in a plaster cast for a few weeks.

Your doctor may refer you for physiotherapy to help build up the strength in an injured muscle that has been solw to heal, and to show you how to do the correct stretching exercises after an injury has healted. In the rare cases where a muscle has been ruptured, surgery may be necessary to enable the damaged muscle to heal properly.

Are muscle injuries dangerous?
Muscle injuries are not usually dangerous. A ruptured muscle may not heal properly without surgery and this will impair its use.

As people grow older their muscle take longer to heal, but by following the procedures recommended below, or by seeking medical help in more severe cases, complete recovery can be achieved.

What can I do to avoid muscle injuries?
Regular exercise keeps muscles strong and in good tone. Running, swimming and cycling are all effective. When exercising, warm up beforehand. When lifting heavy objects, bend your knees, not your back, and get help with heavy jobs.

SYMPTOMS

• Stiffness and difficulty when trying to make certain movements.
• Tenderness and swelling at the site of the injury.
• Local pain.

ALTERNATIVE  TREATMENT

• Many people find treatment by a qualified osteopath very successful for muscle injuries that are not responding to home treatment.
• Cold compresses help to reduce swelling. Heat, such as a hot bath ar an infra-red lamp, can help to relieve painful muscle spasm, but it should not be applied to the injured area for the first 48 hours.
• Herbalists recommend applying arnica ointment to the injury.

This article is filed under Wounds and Injuries.