How does torn muscle heal

If you had a minor muscle strain, you should be able to do some gentle movement after two days. Ice can help reduce inflammation. Never apply ice directly to bare skin; instead, wrap the ice pack in a towel first. Wrapping the muscle with an elastic bandage can help bring down swelling. Your physician may recommend a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medication , like ibuprofen, to reduce pain and swelling.

Use a heating pad a few times a day after three days. Never apply heat directly to bare skin; always wrap the heating pad in a towel. I also encourage patients to warm up prior to engaging in exercise and to stretch daily. Check out more health and wellness tips from Living Better experts.

Schedule an appointment with Dr. 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:.

When muscle is initially injured, significant inflammation and swelling occurs. Patients often report the sensation of pain as the feeling of being "stabbed.

After this inflammatory phase, the muscle begins to heal by regenerating muscle fibers from stem cells that live around the area of injury. However, a significant amount of scar tissue also forms where the muscle was injured.

Over time, this scar tissue remodels, but the muscle tissue never fully regenerates. It is thought that this makes a strained muscle prone to future injury. The diagnosis is usually made based on patient history and physical exam. In severe, grade 3 cases, the examining physician may actually be able to feel the defect where the muscle has completely torn.

An X-ray may be helpful to rule out a fracture or dislocation as the cause of pain. Occasionally in young athletes, the tendon can pull off a piece of bone where it attaches, which can be seen on X-rays.

However, pure muscle injuries cannot be seen on regular X-rays. An MRI can sometimes be helpful to determine where the injury has occurred and whether there is complete rupture or not. MRIs can also show collections of blood, called a hematoma, that sometimes occur following severe injuries. If there is a partial tear then the athlete can return when they are pain free and have normal strength and motion.

This usually occurs following anywhere from a few weeks to a few months of appropriate treatment and therapy. When the muscle is completely ruptured, the athlete may benefit from surgical repair. The majority of acute muscle injuries are partial thickness tears.

These can most often be treated successfully with:. These treatements will be done for the first week, followed by progressive functional physical therapy, as needed. Many athletes are able to return to their previous level of competition, but since scar tissue forms at the site of injury, they may susceptible to another injury at that location.

Complete muscle injuries can lead to significant functional impairment and lost playing time and may require surgical repair. This is especially the case for patients who need to be able to run or be sufficiently agile to participate in sport.

Platelet-rich plasma PRP injections may be able to help accelerate the regeneration of damaged muscle tissue. Return to full activity is usually allowed when the patient is pain free, has full range of motion, and full strength. If an athlete attempts to return to their sport before these criteria are met, there is a high chance of reinjuring the muscle and sustaining a setback.

Mild, grade 1 injuries may require only two to three weeks before an athlete can return. More severe injuries may require significantly more time. Seek medical attention if any of the following happens:. A physical examination and imaging tests, such as X-rays and MRI scans, can help your doctor determine the extent of your injury.

Treatment may include anti-inflammatory medications and pain relievers to reduce pain and swelling. Your doctor may also prescribe physical therapy to help strengthen the muscle and restore movement. Regular exercise can keep your muscles healthy and strong, but proper techniques are also crucial in preventing muscle strains.

Always stretch and warm up before engaging in physical activity. Similarly, take the time to stretch after each workout or session of physical activity to prevent muscle stiffness. Build up your activity a little at a time. Recovery time depends on the severity of the injury. For a mild strain, you may be able to return to normal activities within three to six weeks with basic home care.

For more severe strains, recovery can take several months. In severe cases, surgical repair and physical therapy may be necessary. With proper treatment, most people recover completely. You can improve your chances of recovery by taking steps to avoid getting the same injury again. Muscle stiffness often goes away on its own, and some people find relief with exercise and stretches.

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