Muscle tears, also known as muscle strains, are common injuries that can impact people. When a muscle fiber is stretched too far, those muscle fibers can stretch and sometimes split. This split can lead to pain, swelling, and limited movement. Muscle tears and strains are common, especially in demanding sports. Up to 55% of sports injuries are muscle tears. This blog will dive into the causes, symptoms, types, and solutions to muscle tears.

What is a Muscle Tear?

A muscle tear, also known as a muscle strain, occurs when the skeletal muscle fibers are stretched too much, causing partial or complete tearing of the tissue. The tendon connecting the muscle to the bone may also be damaged in severe cases. Muscle tears are commonly found in the hamstring, calf, shoulder, and quadriceps. Muscle strains can be minor or major, depending on the cause and situation. A mild strain might only break tiny fibers within the fabric of muscle, while a severe one can tear through it.

What Causes Muscle Tears?

Muscle tears are typically caused by overstretching a muscle beyond its capacity, often due to sudden or forceful movements. Most muscle tears come from sports and demanding jobs that put pressure on muscles. Some common ways to tear muscles are:

·      Overuse- Repeated use of a muscle without rest can overstrain the muscle, causing micro-tears to occur.

·      Sudden Movement- Quick movements like sprinting, jumping, or lifting heavy objects can stretch muscles and tear fibers.

·      Lack of Stretching- This is common for athletes. If an athlete doesn’t stretch properly, the muscle will not be as flexible, creating a higher chance of a stretch. Not stretching enough can increase risk of injury.

·      Trauma/Impact- Direct hits to a muscle can cause muscle tears.

·      Improper Technique- Using improper form during exercises or sports can strain muscles and cause tears.

·      Age- Older individuals may have reduced muscle elasticity and strength, increasing the risk of tears.

Symptoms of Muscle Tears

Symptoms of muscle tears can range from mild to severe depending on the severity of the tear. There are many common symptoms of muscle tears:

·      Sharp and Sudden Pain- A muscle tear often causes an immediate, intense, sharp pain in the injured area. This is typically felt at the time of the injury, especially if it occurs during physical activity like lifting, running, or stretching.

·      Swelling and Inflammation- The muscle may swell after the injury due to inflammation. This swelling could occur within hours or even the first day following the tear.

·      Bruising- A bruise might appear around the injured muscle due to blood vessels (capillaries) being damaged. This can develop within hours or a day after the injury.

·      Weakness- The muscle may feel weak, making it difficult or impossible to use the injured muscle properly. Strength will be significantly reduced, and it might be challenging to perform even basic movements that involve the muscle.

·      Limited Motion- The ability to move the muscle freely and fully may be reduced due to pain, stiffness, or swelling.

·      Tenderness- The area around the tear will likely be tender to the touch. Pressing on the muscle or surrounding tissue may cause significant pain.

Types of Muscle Tears

The severity of a strain can be assessed by how much strength and range of motion a person loses, and this can also provide an idea as to how long it will take to recover. Muscle strains can be categorized into three grades, based on severity:

·      Grade 1 Strain - Stretching and injury to the muscle fibers, but there is minimal structural damage. This is characterized by edema or fluid in the muscle on MRI. Minimal pain is present with no significant loss of strength.

·      Grade 2 Strain – More extensive damage with more muscle fibers has occurred, however, the muscle is not completely ruptured. These injuries present with significant loss of strength and motion. Bruising, pain, and loss of strength is common.

·      Grade 3 Strain – Complete rupture of a muscle or tendon. These can present with a palpable defect in the muscle or tendon. These injuries sometimes require surgery to reattach the damaged muscle and tendon. Having extreme pain, bruising, swelling, and loss of function is very common.

Muscle strains can be classified by being either acute or chronic. Acute muscle strains happen suddenly and cause immediate symptoms. Chronic muscle strains develop gradually, and so do the symptoms. Muscle tears and strains are more common in specific areas.

·      Hamstrings- Strains and tears in the hamstrings happen from sudden and aggressive movements. Sprinting is a very common way hamstrings are sprained.

·      Calf Muscles- Like hamstring tears, when a sudden or aggressive movement occurs, calf muscles can be overworked. Jumping and sprinting is a way calf muscles can be injured.

·      Neck- The most common cause of neck muscle damage is whiplash. This commonly happens in car accidents or areas where the head is jolted around severely.

·      Quadriceps- Blows to the knees, falls, and aggressive leg movement can cause the muscle fibers in the leg to be stretched and damaged.

·      Shoulder- Sudden trauma, like a fall, lifting heavy objects, overuse, or repetitive motions can cause tendon degeneration and muscle tears.

Treatments and Preventions for Muscle Tears

To prevent a muscle tear from occurring, there are many things that can be done to limit this injury from happening. Here are some common ways to PREVENT muscle tears:

·      Warming up- Warming up before a workout or a time of physical activity increases heart rate which promotes blood flow in the muscles. This limits the chances of getting a muscle injury, like a muscle tear.

·      Avoid Overwork- Training is incredible for increasing abilities, but overtraining will delay the results. Overworking can put large amounts strain on muscles, tendons, and ligaments. If these become injured, it will take time to heal. It is important to rest and give muscles the time they need to recover from intense work.

·      Stay Hydrated- Being hydrated is extremely important for health in general, but it also keeps muscles healthy. If muscles are dehydrated, they will become tense, which can increase the chances of a muscle stretching.

·      Stretch- It is so important to keep muscles open and not tense. If a tense muscle is overworked, it will continue to be tight and has a greater chance of being injured.

Aside from the rare case of surgery, the best treatments for torn muscles are simple, rest, ice, and elevation. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can be used to limit pain and inflammation.

Citations:

Schmidt, Nicole. “Muscle Strain: Symptoms, Tests, and Treatment of Muscle Strain.” Edited by Jabeen Begum, WebMD, WebMD, 23 Nov. 2023, https://www.webmd.com/fitness-exercise/muscle-strain

Medicine, UPMC. “Sprains and Strains Causes, Symptoms, and Treatments.” UPMC, 2023, https://www.upmc.com/services/orthopaedics/conditions/sprains-strains

Krans, Brian. “Treating Muscle Strain.” Healthline, Healthline Media, 23 June 2023, https://www.healthline.com/health/muscle-strain-treatment#diagnosis

“Muscle Strains: Symptoms, Causes and Treatment | BUPA UK.” Edited by Rachael Mayfield-Blake, Muscle Strain, 2024, https://www.bupa.co.uk/health-information/muscles-bones-joints/muscle-strain