What is a Torn Muscle?
A partial or complete tear or rupture of the muscle fibers gives rise to pain and any movement of the affected part becomes complex. This condition is often referred as Muscle Strain or even Torn Muscle.
A muscle is in fact an elastic tissue consisting of fibers structured into bundles and bands that contract and relax assisting in the body movements. Working a muscle more than its capacity results in either stretching or rupture of muscle tissue resulting in pain, immobility (limited or in some rare cases, completely) and swelling. A condition of torn muscle, also called pulled muscle, can even lead to bleeding in the injured muscle due to tearing of the capillaries. It is commonly seen in individuals participating in physical sports or extreme physical activities.
Bio-mechanics and Basic Muscle Anatomy
A muscle is made of numerous muscle bundles or fascicles with each bundle containing muscle fibers or muscle cells. Each of these fibers is made up of several myofibrils which help in the contraction and relaxation of the muscle.
These muscles are actually divided into two categories. One group of muscles is responsible for any particular movement or action while the other group opposes the movement or action. This balancing act of the second group actually helps in the smooth movement of various body parts. This antagonistic action of muscles prevents the fixed or jerky movements of body parts as found in a robot.
Torn Muscle Symptoms
A muscle strain or torn muscle usually brings along intense pain and the injury causes discomfort. Also noticed is certain tightness in muscle. A sharp stinging pain is felt due to the muscle tear. Among other symptoms of a torn muscle, are the changes on the injury site like swelling, bruising or skin discoloration. A serious condition may even lead to some noise at the slightest movement of the injured appendage.
Muscle Strain Causes
A muscle strain is caused when the muscle is stretched beyond its capacity point. Most of the common causes of muscle strain can be avoided easily by being a little careful while indulging in physical activities.
A consistent overuse of any particular muscle leads it to a fatigue point making it less resilient to pressure and stress. This increases the chances of injury and tearing of the overused muscle.
Insufficient warm-up before any extreme physical activity like exercise or weight lifting puts sudden unbalanced force on the muscle. Proper warm-up makes the muscles more loose and flexible and thus reducing the chances of a muscle tear.
Another common muscle strain cause is any regular injury. An injury due to some accident causes a direct impact on the muscle prompting a tear. The sudden twisting and turning of the body during an accident like a fall leads to strain on the muscle forcing it to give way.
Improper form while exercising or doing some physical activity increases the individual’s chances of sustaining a muscle tear. Lifting or carrying heavy objects in a wrong posture puts unnecessary strain on the muscles involved. Improper form during exercises like running, cycling or weight lifting too puts the muscles in the danger zone for a torn muscle.
Lack of fitness is another of the causes of torn muscle. The lack of proper muscle conditioning due to an inactive lifestyle weakens the muscles. A person who works out regularly and stays in shape has stronger muscles. Working out regularly makes the muscles more flexible and thereby reducing the potential of torn muscle. A well-conditioned muscle can handle pressure, stress, and sudden impacts more easily than a poorly conditioned one.
Types of Muscle Tear
The various types of muscle tears are classified into three parts based on the severity of the torn muscle as follows:
First Grade Muscle Strain
Also known as pulled muscle, this condition involves the tear of less number of muscle fibers. It leads to spasms of the affected muscle and any kind of movement results in stinging pain. It is accompanied by mild tenderness of the muscle. Not much decrease in strength is noticed in a first degree muscle tear.
Second Grade Muscle Strain
A second degree muscle tear involves the tear of a part of muscle mass. This partially torn muscle causes severe pain, muscle spasms and weakness. Swelling and bruises are noticed at the site of injury. A decrease in strength is noticed but movement of muscle is still possible, though painful.
Third Grade Muscle Strain
The most severe muscle tear involves the separation of the tendon from the muscle. The muscle is usually torn into two in a third degree muscle strain. The muscle fibers are no more continuous. A completely torn muscle results in extreme pain along with swelling, bruising and discoloration. Quite often, a dent is noticed in the appendage at the affected area. The affected appendage cannot be moved and a fixed opposite movement is observed.
Common Sites of Muscle Tear
Muscle tear is not restricted to any particular muscle or group of muscles. It can be experienced in any part of the body. However, there are certain body parts that are more susceptible to muscle tears. The commonly seen muscle injuries include:
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Torn biceps muscle or Popeye’s muscle tear
Picture 1 : Upper biceps rupture
Image source: meded.ucsd.edu
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Back muscle
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Abdominal strain
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Hamstring muscle tear
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Torn Calf muscle
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Rupture of Achilles tendon
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Quadriceps muscle tear
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Myositis Ossificians
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Torn finger extensor muscle or Mallet finger
Picture 2 : Mallet finger
Image source: Wikimedia
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Groin strain
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Torn shoulder muscle, especially rotator cuff injury.
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ITB friction syndrome
Torn Muscle Treatment
The treatment for a muscle strain depends on the severity of the tear, the duration of suffering and the cause. When pain is felt in the muscle fiber, any straining physical activity should be immediately stopped. In case of developing a muscle tear, applying ice placed in a plastic bag or cloth to the affected area helps in reducing the pain. However, the ice should not be applied continuously for more than 10-15 minutes as this may worsen the condition.
A pulled muscle can be treated with home remedies like ice packs and resting for a few days helps in quick healing. For a partially torn muscle, medical help should be sought for better assessment of the injury’s severity. Various investigative tests like ultrasound, X-ray or MRI (magnetic resonance imaging) are recommended for better diagnosis of the condition. A partially torn muscle of any severity level should never be neglected as an untreated second grade muscle tear may lead to complete muscle tear thus worsening the condition.
When it comes to a complete muscle tear, consulting an experienced doctor becomes mandatory as usually these require operative measures. Any surgery if needed should be done at the earliest as delaying may worsen the state. Neglecting or delaying may result in the death of more number of muscle tissues and can lead to development of scars of the affected muscle. A condition of progressive fibrosis or scarring makes the muscles functionally useless. Therefore, prompt treatment is a must in case of third degree muscle tear.
Prognosis and Rehabilitation
Following a prompt surgery or treatment, a torn muscle heals quicker. Any functional impairment of a strained muscle is temporary. The affected individual can start doing the normal activities following some good rest for a few days or weeks, depending on the severity of the condition before treatment. However, once affected, a person should be careful while recovering as the healing progress may take longer time than assumed. The healing of a torn muscle is a progressive but slow process.
Special emphasis is made on sufficient amount of rest for a longer time until complete recovery. The prolonged immobilization of the affected muscle may shorten or weaken the muscle. To prevent this, progressive physiotherapy involving range of motion, isotonic and isometric exercises are recommended.
References:
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Strain_(injury)
healthhype.com
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by on 07. Sep, 2010 in Diseases and Conditions
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