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Muscle tears, also known as strains or pulled muscles, are common injuries that can be caused by overstretching, exhaustion, improper use, overuse, or sudden movements. Treatment for a torn muscle depends on the severity of the injury and can range from at-home care to surgery. Mild tears can often be treated at home with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE), while more severe tears may require physical therapy or surgery. It is important to seek medical attention for a torn muscle to prevent further injury and ensure proper healing.
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What You'll Learn
Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation (RICE)
Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation (RICE) is a longstanding protocol for treating musculoskeletal injuries. It is a quick and accessible way to feel better after an injury and can be used at home to treat minor injuries. The RICE method is particularly useful for treating pain and inflammation during the first few days of recovery.
Rest involves resting the injured area immediately after the injury and through the first few days of recovery. However, there is some controversy over the use of rest in the RICE method, with some doctors believing that it is better to move the injured muscle or body part to improve blood flow.
Ice is applied to the injured area to reduce swelling. It is recommended to apply ice for 10 to 20 minutes, three or more times a day over the course of 48 to 72 hours. After the swelling subsides, heat can be applied to the injured area to relax any lingering pain.
Compression can help control severe swelling and prevent a wound from reopening. It is important to not wrap the injury too tightly to avoid inhibiting blood flow.
Elevation involves resting the injured body part above heart level to slow blood flow to the injury and limit bleeding. Elevation can also help drain swelling and relieve throbbing. It is most useful when there is significant swelling or bleeding.
While the RICE method is widely recommended by healthcare providers, there has been some recent debate about its effectiveness. Some research indicates that ice can slow down healing, and there are alternative treatments, such as the PEACE (Protection, Elevation, Avoid anti-inflammatories, Compression, Education) and MICE (Motion/Movement, Ice, Compression, Elevation) approaches.
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Anti-inflammatory medications
NSAIDs are typically recommended for acute injuries caused by a sudden impact, such as a collision, fall, or twisting motion. These injuries result in immediate pain, swelling, and other signs of trauma. The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) is often used in conjunction with NSAIDs to further reduce pain and inflammation.
NSAIDs are also used for chronic injuries, which are typically classified as injuries to the soft tissues of the body, including muscles, tendons, and ligaments. However, it is important to note that the effectiveness of NSAIDs in treating chronic injuries has been questioned. While they can provide short-term pain relief, long-term use is discouraged as it may mask pain and increase the risk of further injury.
Additionally, NSAIDs are not recommended for use before or during endurance sports. Studies have found little performance benefit and suggest that regular use may hinder muscle strength gains. Furthermore, the use of NSAIDs during ultra-distance exercise has been associated with an increased risk of exertional hyponatremia.
Alternative treatments to NSAIDs for muscle tears include physical therapy, surgery for severe tears, and alternative medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol) which can relieve pain and fever without reducing inflammation. It is always important to consult a healthcare professional to determine the best treatment plan for your specific condition.
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Crutches
If you have suffered a torn muscle, your doctor may recommend crutches to keep weight off the injured muscle as you walk. Crutches are particularly useful for lower-body injuries. The use of crutches can vary from partial weight-bearing to non-weight-bearing, depending on the injury. It is important to follow the advice of your doctor or physiotherapist on how long to use crutches and how much weight to put through your injured leg.
There are several types of crutches, including underarm (axillary), forearm (elbow), and gutter crutches. Underarm crutches are the most common type and have a padded top that fits under the arm, a straight frame, and a handgrip. Forearm crutches are usually shorter and have a supportive cuff that fits around the upper arm, just above the elbow, with a handgrip. Gutter crutches are less common and have a padded pocket on top of a straight pole, with an attached handgrip at the front.
It is important to adjust your crutches to your height to ensure comfort and stability. The top of underarm crutches should sit a few inches below the armpits, with the handgrips at hip height. For forearm crutches, the cuff should sit about two finger widths below the elbow, with the handles at the crease of the wrist. When using crutches, stand up straight with them slightly in front of your body and slightly apart. Support your weight through the handgrips rather than the underarm supports to avoid shoulder joint pain and fatigue.
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Surgery
Surgical intervention is generally considered only in cases where non-surgical methods have been ineffective or for severe muscle tears. Surgical options depend on the location and extent of the tear.
Muscle repair surgery involves reattaching the torn muscle ends to restore its integrity. The surgeon will use sutures or anchors to secure the muscle back into its original position. Sutures placed solely through myofibers possess virtually no strength and will only pierce through the muscle tissue. Loop-type sutures should be placed loosely through the fascia to avoid piercing the myofibers beneath and causing further damage. There are a variety of suture techniques, including Kessler grasping suture, Mason-Allen suture, Chinese finger trap, and Bunnell suture, but there is no consensus on which is the best.
A tendon transfer may be performed if the muscle is severely damaged or irreparable. This procedure involves taking a healthy tendon from another part of the body and using it to replace the torn muscle, restoring functionality.
In the case of a large intramuscular hematoma, a complete (III-degree) strain, or a tear of a muscle with few or no agonist muscles, surgical intervention may be beneficial. It may also be considered if a patient complains of persisting extension pain (for more than 4-6 months) in a previously injured muscle, particularly if accompanied by a clear extension deficit.
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Physical therapy
After the initial assessment, your physical therapist will advise you on the best course of treatment. They may recommend ice or heat therapy, depending on your stage of healing. They may also use electrical modalities such as ultrasound or interferential current to reduce pain and control inflammation. Massage therapy may also be recommended, but only after the therapist has determined that it is safe for your particular injury.
Passive and active stretching programs are also a common part of physical therapy for muscle tears. Pain-free stretches are gradually progressed, starting with short periods of 10 to 15 seconds and then moving on to longer stretches of one minute. Isometric training with weights is introduced once these stretches can be achieved painlessly.
In addition to physical therapy, your doctor may recommend NSAIDs (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs) to help reduce swelling and pain. It is important to remember that muscle tears can take a significant amount of time to heal, and rushing your recovery can lead to further complications. Always listen to the advice of your healthcare professionals and take the time to rest and recover properly.
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Frequently asked questions
Symptoms include pain, soreness, spasms, swelling, bruising, discoloration, stiffness, and reduced mobility.
Consult a doctor, especially if the pain persists. They will examine the area, feel for tenderness, and test the muscle's strength and range of motion. An MRI or X-ray may be ordered to confirm the diagnosis and rule out any fractures or dislocations.
Mild to moderate tears can often be treated at home with the RICE method: Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. Anti-inflammatory medications can also help manage pain and reduce swelling. For more severe tears, physical therapy or even surgery may be required.
Recovery time varies depending on the severity of the tear. Mild strains may only require a few days of rest, while severe tears that require surgery can take months or longer to heal.
