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The Muscular System

Injury

Sprain
A injury to a joint that involves a stretched or torn ligament.

Muscle Strain
A strain occurs when a muscle or the tendon that attaches it to the bone is overstretched or torn.
Muscle strains are also called pulled muscles.

Who gets it?

Anyone can strain a muscle. However, people involved in sports or other forms of strenuous
exercise are more likely to strain a muscle.

What causes it?

Muscles are bunches of fibers that can contract. Muscle strains usually occur during activities that
require the muscle to tighten forcefully. The muscle is strained either because it is not properly
stretched, or warmed up, before the activity; it is too weak; or because the muscle is already injured and
not allowed time to recover. So, many muscle strains occur during exercise or sports activities. They
can also occur when lifting heavy objects. What are the symptoms?

When a muscle is strained, it hurts and is difficult to move. You may also feel a burning sensation
in the area of the injured muscle, or feel as though something has "popped." Sometimes the area of the
strained muscle looks bruised or swells. A strained muscle might spasm, which means it contracts
suddenly and involuntarily, causing severe pain. How is it diagnosed?

To diagnose a muscle strain, your doctor will examine the painful area, and ask how and when the
injury happened. He or she may order other diagnostic tests, such as x-rays, to rule out any injury to the
bone.

What is the treatment?

Muscle strains are treated with rest, ice, compression, and elevation, or RICE. You will be told to
rest the injured area to reduce pain and swelling. If the strain is in the leg or foot area, you may need to
use crutches. Ice packs are recommended at regular intervals (as recommended by your doctor) over
the first few days after the injury. Ice causes the blood vessels to constrict, which reduces inflammation
and pain. Anti-inflammatory medications might also be used to relieve pain. Compression and
elevation help to reduce swelling. Your doctor may also recommend physical therapy to speed your
recovery. You should avoid the type of activity that caused the injury until the muscle is completely
healed. Self-care tips

You can prevent muscle strains by warming up for at least 10 minutes before participating in any
strenuous exercise or heavy lifting. When you warm up, you increase the blood circulation to the
muscle and prepare it for exercise. When starting any new exercise program or sport, it's important to
begin gradually so your muscles are conditioned for the activity.

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