Muscle Strain Specialist

What is a muscle strain?

Muscle strains and sprains have similarities but are separate conditions that cause different symptoms.

Strain

A muscle strain is the overstretching or tearing of muscles or tendons, the fibrous cords that connect your muscles to bone.

The most common places for a muscle strain to develop is in your lower back and in your hamstrings, the thigh muscles that extend between your knee and hip.

Sprain

A muscle sprain describes the stretching or tearing of ligaments, the tissue bands that connect two bones together in a joint.

While you can sprain any joint, the most common type of sprain occurs in the ankle.

What causes a muscle strain?

Both strains and sprains can occur because of sports participation, falls, or lifting heaving objects.

Other risk factors for strains and sprains include:

• Obesity
• Overexertion
• Improper warm-ups
• Environmental hazards

You might also be at increased risk for strains and sprains if you work in a job that requires repetitive movements.

What are the symptoms of a muscle strain?

A muscle strain can cause frequent muscle spasms, swelling, and pain around the affected joint. You might also notice reduced range of motion and a loss of flexibility in the strained muscle.

Sprains cause symptoms like:

• Bruising
• Swelling
• Joint pain
• Loss of range of motion

Because the symptoms of sprains and strains are similar, it’s important that you get a proper diagnosis when your pain becomes unmanageable. Dr. Isaac offers comprehensive physical exams to determine the underlying cause of your pain.

How is a muscle strain treated?

Treating a muscle strain or sprain generally starts with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE method). Keeping weight off the affected muscle or joint can ease your pain and help you heal faster.

You might benefit from over-the-counter or prescription pain relievers and anti-inflammatories.

If Dr. Isaac identifies tears in your muscle or ligaments, he might recommend physical therapy to increase the efficiency of your healing. Severe tears may require surgery.

To schedule a diagnostic evaluation for a muscle or ligament strain, call Isaac Medical Group or book a consultation online today.