Strain

Ligament Strain

A strain is a soft tissue injury to a muscle or tendon in the body.  It occurs when a muscle is pulled, stretched or torn as a result of over-extension.  These are sometimes referred to as "pulled muscles" in layman's terms, and they can sometimes be confused with sprains.  A sprain, however, refers to a stretched or torn ligament and usually occurs at a joint.  Strains can occur in any muscle group, but some of the most commonly strained muscles are in the lower back and hamstrings. 

Symptoms of a muscle strain include pain and swelling in the affected area, the presence of bruising, stiffness and a feeling of weakness or lost flexibility in the affected area.  The muscle might also spasm, causing greater pain and temporary loss of control in that body part. 

Strains can be either acute or chronic.  An acute strain happens when a muscle is suddenly stretched past its limits.  Common causes of acute strains include slipping on ice or lifting a heavy object.  Chronic strains happen when a muscle sustains repeated stress, and they may often occur as a result of sporting activities.  In either case, the treatment for a muscle strain is usually the same. 

The affected area will need to rest so that it can heal on its own.  This may mean reducing the patient's activity for a while, or it might require the affected area to be braced or bandaged to help immobilize it.  NSAID painkillers can be used to manage pain and reduce inflammation in the area.  In more severe cases, a muscle relaxant may be prescribed to prevent painful muscle spasms and encourage healing.  Patients may also find that applications of ice or a heating pad to the area can help to manage pain, stiffness and swelling. 

Mild muscle strains can be treated effectively at home with rest and over-the-counter painkillers.  If you're experiencing severe pain and weakness or experience numbness in any part of the affected area, however, it's important to seek medical attention right away.