| Strain (injury) | |
|---|---|
| Classification and external resources | |
| ICD-10 | M62.6, T14.3 |
| ICD-9 | 848.9 |
| MeSH | D013180 |
A strain is an injury to a muscle or tendon in which the muscle fibres tear as a result of overstretching. A strain is also colloquially known as a pulled muscle. The equivalent injury to a ligament is a sprain.[1]
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Typical symptoms of a strain include: localized pain, stiffness, discoloration and bruising around the strained muscle.
Strains are a result of muscular-fiber tears due to overstretching. They can happen while doing everyday tasks and are not restricted to athletes. Nevertheless, people who play sports are more at risk of developing a strain due to increased muscle use.
The first-line treatment for a muscular strain in the acute phase include four steps commonly known as R.I.C.E.[2][3]
The ice and compression (cold compression therapy) will stop the pain and swelling while the injury starts to heal itself. Controlling the inflammation is critical to the healing process and the icing further restricts fluid leaking into the injured area as well as controlling pain.
Cold compression therapy wraps are a useful way to combine icing and compression to stop swelling and pain.
This immediate treatment is usually accompanied by the use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs[4] (e.g., ibuprofen), which both reduce the immediate inflammation and relieve pain. However, Nsaids, including aspirin and ibuprofen, affect platelat function (this is why they are known as "blood thinners") and should not be taken during the perod when tissue is bleeding because they will tend to increase blood flow, inhibit clotting, and thereby bleeding and swelling. After the the bleeding has stopped, nsaids can be used with some effectiveness to reduce inflammation and pain.
It is recommended[5] that the person injured should consult a medical provider if the injury is accompanied by severe pain, if the limb cannot be used, or if there is noticeable tenderness over an isolated spot. These can be signs of a broken or fractured bone, a sprain, or a complete muscle tear.
Therapeutic ultrasound can be used to break down poorly healed muscle strains and permit them to heal properly.
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