Definition

A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle. It may be a stretch of the muscle or a partial or full tear.

Muscles of the Back Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

Causes

A muscle strain is caused by stress that the muscle cannot withstand. This can happen when:

• The muscle may not be ready for sudden stress
• Tension may be too much for the muscle to bear, such as lifting a weight that is too heavy
• The muscle is used too much in one day

Some muscles are more likely to be strained, such as:

• Hamstrings
• Groin
• Back
• Calf

Risk Factors

Things that may raise the risk of this problem are:

• Athletic activities, especially those with running, lifting, and jumping
• Tight muscles
• Fatigue
• Overexertion
• Cold weather

Symptoms

Symptoms depend on how the muscle was strained.

Strain while doing physical activity:

• Immediate soreness or pain in the affected muscle
• Increased pain when using the muscle
• Tenderness and swelling
• Bruised skin
• Pain when moving nearby joints

Strain from a buildup of stress:

• Very sore muscle the day after doing a new activity
• Pain or discomfort when using the muscle

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask about your symptoms and health history. You will also be asked how the injury happened. The injured area will be examined. This is often enough to make the diagnosis.

Tests are not often needed. The doctor may use them if there is severe pain or bleeding. Options are:

• MRI scan
• Ultrasound
• CT scan

Treatment

Treatment depends on the severity of the strain and the muscle involved. Options are:

• Resting the muscle by limiting activities
• Supportive care, such as ice and compression bandages
• Medicines to ease pain and swelling, such as ibuprofen or prescription pain relievers
• Therapy to help with strength and range of motion

Prevention

Most muscle strains happen due to accidents. Healthy muscles may help prevent injury. This may be done through exercise.