A muscle strain is an injury in which some or all of a muscle’s fibers—or, in some cases, its tendon—are overstretched or torn. Recognizing how strains happen, how they are classified, and how they are initially managed can help people respond appropriately and identify injuries that need medical assessment.
A strain is an acute soft-tissue injury to a muscle. It involves tearing of some muscle fibers and may also involve a tendon. A sprain, by contrast, is an injury to a ligament. Strains commonly happen during an eccentric contraction, when a muscle lengthens while it is contracting.
All flashcards
What is a muscle strain?
A strain is an acute soft-tissue injury involving overstretched or torn muscle fibers; a tendon may also be involved.
How does a strain differ from a sprain?
A strain affects a muscle or its tendon, whereas a sprain affects a ligament.
What is an eccentric contraction?
It is a contraction in which a muscle lengthens while it is contracting, a situation commonly associated with strains.
What does P.R.I.C.E. stand for?
Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation—the initial-care steps described for an acute strain.
Which symptoms call for medical assessment?
Severe pain, inability to use the limb, or marked tenderness at one isolated spot should prompt consultation with a medical provider.
Quiz questions
What tissue is injured in a strain, in contrast to the ligament affected by a sprain?Answer: A muscle, sometimes with its tendon, is injured.
What happens during an eccentric contraction that commonly contributes to a strain?Answer: The muscle lengthens while it is contracting.
Why may a person with a strain have difficulty generating force even when actual muscle strength is not affected?Answer: Pain can interfere with using the muscle to generate force.
Which description best fits a third-degree strain in the traditional severity system?Answer: Severe acute pain with very limited or absent movement.
A person has severe pain and cannot use an injured limb after an incident. What is the most appropriate response?Answer: Seek medical assessment because a more serious injury may be present.
Based on the Wikipedia article Strain (injury), licensed CC BY-SA 4.0. Adapted into a summary, flashcards and quizzes.