i have been told i have a muscle tear in my lower leg what are treatment options

Common Causes

In particular, RICE involves the following:

• Rest by taking an adequate amount of time to heal and avoiding physical activity. ...
• Ice your muscle by using cold packs with a barrier between them and your skin four to eight times per day for 20 minutes at a time.
• Compress your muscle by applying a steady, gentle pressure on it. ...
• Elevate the injury above your heart to reduce swelling. ...

Related Conditions

Natural Treatments for Pulled, Torn, or Strained Back Muscle

• R.I.C.E.
• Heat
• Epsom salt bath to relieve strained muscle in the back
• Essential oil soothing muscle rub
• Exercises for pulled back muscles
• Other Exercises for strengthening your back
• Reduce stress

How do you treat a torn leg muscle?

Symptoms of muscle strain include:

• Swelling, bruising, or redness due to the injury
• Pain at rest
• Pain when the specific muscle or the joint in relation to that muscle is used
• Weakness of the muscle or tendons
• Inability to use the muscle at all

What is the best treatment for a torn muscle?

To achieve better muscle healing, physical therapy is therefore required to heal a torn muscle effectively. The first goal of the therapist is to stop the bleeding, which is done by applying ice immediately to the site of muscle injury. The injured area is elevated and put on rest. This reduces the blood flow to the injured muscle area.

What are the symptoms of a pulled leg muscle?

How to treat a torn muscle?

What is the best cure for muscle tear?

approach — rest, ice, compression, elevation:Rest. Avoid activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. ... Ice. Even if you're seeking medical help, ice the area immediately. ... Compression. To help stop swelling, compress the area with an elastic bandage until the swelling stops. ... Elevation.

How long does a leg muscle tear take to heal?

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.

Can a muscle tear heal on its own?

Most muscle strains do not require surgery, and a full recovery is expected. 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.

Can a doctor do anything for a torn muscle?

A complete tear can cause debilitating muscle pain and may require surgery to repair it.

What is the difference between a pulled muscle and a torn muscle?

A muscle strain is an injury that occurs when a muscle or a tendon is overstretched. A muscle tear is when a muscle or a tendon is overstretched and it tears. Is a muscle strain is not the same thing as a muscle tear.

How is a muscle tear diagnosed?

Symptoms of Torn Muscles Expect pain and soreness, as well as spasms and swelling in the affected area. Depending on the severity of the strain, you may find it difficult to move the area, if at all. You may note swelling as well as bruising and discoloration accompanied by a “knotted up” feeling or stiffness.

When does a muscle tear need surgery?

Surgery should not be attempted until 4–6 months after trauma to allow for complete maturation of the process.

Should you massage a muscle tear?

Massage. Therapeutic massage helps loosen tight muscles and increase blood flow to help heal damaged tissues. Applying pressure to the injured muscle tissue also helps remove excess fluid and cellular waste products. A 2012 study found that massage immediately following an injury may even speed strained muscle healing.

What is a Grade 2 muscle tear?

Grading muscle tears Grade 2: With a grade 2 tear you've torn a significant number of muscle fibres and there is usually quite a bit of swelling and bruising as well. You may have pain even when you're lying down or sitting still and it is usually quite painful when you try and use the muscle.

What causes muscles to tear easily?

Dystrophin is a muscle protein. When dystrophin levels are low, the membranes around muscle cells become weak. They tear easily. Eventually, the muscle fibers die.

Is a torn muscle an emergency?

When you strain your muscle, it's likely your movement will be restricted within the muscle group that is affected. If your strain is mild or moderate, you should be able to treat it at home using ice, heat and anti-inflammatory medication; however, more severe strains (or tears) typically need medical attention.

How do you repair muscle damage?

Your doctor may recommend the following at-home treatments:Rest. Rest the muscle for a few days or until your doctor gives you the okay. ... Ice. Apply ice to the injury for 20 minutes each hour you're awake. ... Compression. Wrapping the muscle with an elastic bandage can help bring down swelling. ... Elevation. ... Medication. ... Heat.

I have a gluteal tear and have been going to PT for two months, twice weekly. I'm not much better. W...

Physical therapy generally takes a long time. Perhaps you are making improvements that you do not notice. Talk with your primary care doctor.

I was pushing real hard and felt something in my calf pop. Could it be an inner muscle puncture?

Muscles generally do not puncture unless being stabbed by a sharp object. The muscle likely just moved. Talk with your primary care doctor.

I have pain radiating from around my left shoulder blade to my left arm, what could it be?

The pain radiating from your shoulder down to your left arm might actually be the result of a pinched nerve in your neck. Pinched nerves occur when...

Overview

Your calf muscles (the gastrocnemius and soleus) are in your lower leg, behind your shin bone. They extend from behind your knee down to your heel. These muscles can tear if you perform sudden movements that severely overstretch them. Calf muscle tears can be partial or complete (rupture).

Symptoms and Causes

A ruptured calf muscle can happen if you suddenly overstretch your calf. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops during sports can cause this injury. It’s also possible to develop tears over time if you overwork your calf muscles. People who return to exercise too quickly after a previous calf injury can also develop tears.

Diagnosis and Tests

Your healthcare provider will perform a physical exam and review your symptoms. They may palpate (press) on your calf muscles to check for areas of tenderness or swelling.

Management and Treatment

After confirming you have a torn calf muscle, your healthcare provider may recommend a home treatment known as RICE:

Prevention

Allowing your calf muscles to rest and recover between games, practices or workouts.

How to tell if a leg muscle is strained?

Symptoms of a strained leg muscle can include: Muscle pain and tenderness, especially after an activity that stretches or violently contracts the muscle. Pain usually increases when you move the muscle, but it is relieved by rest. Local muscle swelling, black and blue discoloration or both.

How long does it take for a muscle strain to heal?

The outlook depends on the location and severity of the muscle strain. In general, almost all Grade I strains heal within a few weeks. Grade II strains may take two to three months. After surgery to repair a Grade III strain, most people regain normal leg muscle function after several months of rehabilitation.

What muscle strains can occur when you walk on the sidewalk?

Calf muscle strains are common in athletes, especially tennis players and joggers. However, they also can happen during a simple stroll, if your foot flexes upward when you step into a hole in the sidewalk or if your heel slips off the edge of a curb. Plantaris strain.

What happens when a muscle strain is grade III?

Grade III muscle strains are serious injuries that cause complete loss of muscle function, as well as considerable pain, swelling, tenderness and discoloration.

What is muscle strain?

A muscle strain is a stretch or tear of muscle fibers. In the leg, muscle strains happen when a muscle is either stretched beyond its limits or forced into extreme contraction. Because the leg has many different muscles, it is vulnerable to several different types of muscle strains. Some of the more common ones are:

What does it mean when your calf pops?

At the time of injury, you may hear or feel a pop inside your calf -- the sound of the muscle tearing or shearing away from the Achilles tendon.

What is grade 2 muscle?

Grade II. A greater number of muscle fibers are torn , so there is more severe muscle pain and tenderness, together with mild swelling, noticeable loss of strength and sometimes bruising (called ecchymosis). Grade III. The muscle tears all the way through.

What to do if you have a muscle tear?

2. Ask about physical therapy. Physical therapy may also be necessary if you have sustained a severe muscle tear. Doing physical therapy can help to ensure that the muscle will heal correctly and that you will regain full use of it.

How to treat muscle pain from a muscle injury?

Non-steroidal anti-infammatory drugs, also known as NSAIDs, are helpful for relieving pain and inflammation from a muscle injury. Try taking a dose of an NSAID, such as ibuprofen or naproxen. Take only the recommended doses of Ibuprofen or aspirin for 3 to 7 days after the injury.

How to heal a torn muscle in the back?

During this time, you should apply an ice pack wrapped in a thin towel to the torn muscle for 15-20 minutes every 2 hours. You should also wrap the injured area in an ace bandage to reduce swelling.

How to get a swollen limb up?

You can also elevate the injured limb above your heart to help reduce the swelling. Place the limb up on some pillows and lay down. Make sure that you are in a comfortable position. If you can't get the injury above your heart, try to at least keep it parallel to the ground.

How to treat a second degree muscle injury?

For either a first or second degree injury, medical care is not typically needed. You can treat these injuries with RICE, a mnemonic for the treatment. "R" stands for "rest" the injured area. Take a break from exercising until you can move the muscle without pain.

How to treat a swollen ear?

2. Ice the area. Apply ice, either in the form of a bag of frozen peas or crushed/cubed ice in a protective plastic wrapping. Wrap the ice pack in a cloth or thin towel before you use it. Apply the ice to the affected area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 hours for the first 2 days after the injury.

What to do if you have a severe injury?

3. Request a prescription pain-reliever for severe pain. If your injury is severe, then you may experience severe pain as well. In this case, your doctor may prescribe a pain reliever, such as codeine.

How many lower limb injuries are caused by calf strains?

One study estimated that calf strains make up about 1.3% of all lower limb injuries in runners. Another study of soccer players identified gastrocnemius strains as making up 12% of all muscle injuries.

How to treat calf pain?

Rest: Stop running or physical activity to avoid further damaging the calf. Ice: Apply an ice pack or cold compress for 20 minutes every two hours. Don’t apply ice directly to your skin. Compression: Reduce swelling and fluid buildup by applying a compression bandage or wrap to the injured area.

How to prevent calf muscle pull?

You can reduce your risk of a pulled calf muscle by: Keeping your calf muscles strong and conditioned. Stretching routinely. Not pushing through pain. Resting and recovering between workouts. Using proper technique when playing sports. Warming up and stretching your calf muscles before physical activity.

What does it mean when your calf is pulled?

A note from Cleveland Clinic. A pulled calf muscle happens when you overstretch the muscles in the back of your lower leg. It’s a common injury with athletes that do a lot of stop-and-go movements, but it can also affect older, active individuals. Most calf strains heal with rest, ice, compression and elevation.

What age group is most likely to pull calf muscles?

Other risk factors for pulled calf muscles include: Age: People over 40 may be more likely to get strains during physical activity. Sex: Some studies suggest that men are more likely to get calf muscle injuries.

What is pulled calf muscle?

What is a pulled calf muscle? A pulled calf muscle, or a calf muscle strain, occurs when the muscles in your calf — the soleus and gastrocnemius — get overstretched. The calf muscles are in your lower leg behind your shin bone and extend from the base of your thigh down to your heel. They help you flex and bend your foot, ankle and knee.

Why do I have calf strains?

Calf muscle strains usually occur when someone suddenly moves or overstretches their calf after standing still. Quick pivots, jumps or abrupt stops can cause strains. This injury is especially common when your toes get forced upward (toward your body) and your ankle pulls your calf muscles down too quickly.

How to prevent muscle tears?

In most cases, muscles tears are preventable by observing proper warm-up techniques and never forcing a cold muscle to perform full tilt. Using the proper form in any activity is also critical to maintaining healthy muscles. Know your body’s limits. When it comes to pushing your body to the extreme, there’s no such thing as “no pain no gain.” In fact, pain often is the first sign that a muscle has been injured. Get to know your body and understand its signals. This is the best way to not only avoid injury, but to ensure continued peak performance.

How long does it take for a muscle tear to heal?

Moderate tears may require physical therapy. A severe tear that requires surgical repair can take months or longer to heal.

How do you know if you have a torn muscle?

Symptoms of Torn Muscles. When you tear a muscle, even when it is mild, you will know immediately. Expect pain and soreness, as well as spasms and swelling in the affected area. Depending on the severity of the strain, you may find it difficult to move the area, if at all.

What is the treatment for a minor strain?

– that’s Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation – treatment for injuries. Your orthopedist may also recommend NSAIDs – non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs – to help reduce swelling.

Where do torn muscles occur?

While any muscle can be affected, torn muscles most often occur in the lower back, neck, shoulder and hamstring. Torn muscles are categorized by the severity of the injury: mild which is a simple strain affecting 5% of a muscle’s fibers; moderate which is up to 25%-30% and accompanied by swelling, decreased range of motion and pain;

What is the most common injury that happens when you are trying to get in shape?

Aches, sprains and soreness are common when one is trying to get in shape. However, muscle tears (also referred to as strains) can be more problematic.

What Are The Symptoms and Treatment of Torn Muscle?

Muscle tears are a common injury that can happen to anyone, from athletes to older people.

What is a Muscle Tear?

Muscle tear is damage to a muscle or its attaching tendons that occurs due to pressure to muscles. It can happen either during sports or performing various everyday activities, with sudden heavy lifting or the overuse of the muscles.

Torn muscle risk factors

Muscle damage can affect both muscle fibers and the tendons attached to the muscle as well as small blood vessels.

Torn Muscle Symptoms

When it comes to muscle tears, even the mildest ones, the patient notices the symptoms right away.

How to Prevent Muscle Tears?

It is, of course, always preferred to prevent torn muscle over treatment of the injury and rehabilitation.

Recovery from Torn Muscle

If you're experiencing any torn muscle symptoms, immediately see a doctor.

Self-care at home

Besides professional help, you will also need to take special care of your torn muscle and rehabilitation at home.

How to help lower leg pain?

Several treatments can be tried at home to soothe lower leg pain. The first four methods can be remembered with the mnemonic RICE. Rest: Most minor injuries will improve with time and rest as the body heals itself. Ice: Cold packs can diminish inflammation of aggravated tissues, alleviating some pain.

What is the best way to heal a leg?

Imaging: Ultrasound, CT, or MRI scans may be required to diagnose the cause of the leg pain. Physical therapy: Oftentimes physical therapy is the most effective means to heal an injured extremity.

What are the symptoms of a calf injury?

Top Symptoms: lower leg numbness, calf pain from overuse. Symptoms that always occur with repetitive strain injury of the calf: calf pain from overuse. Symptoms that never occur with repetitive strain injury of the calf: recent calf injury, severe calf pain. Urgency: Self-treatment.

What is a calf strain?

Calf strain. A strain, commonly called a "pulled muscle," is when a muscle becomes overstretched, and microscopic tears occur. A calf strain happens when one of the muscles on the back of the lower leg is pulled. Rarity: Common. Top Symptoms: pain in one calf, moderate calf pain, calf pain, sports injury, soccer injury.

Why does my lower leg hurt?

Infectious causes. Infection-related causes of lower leg pain may include the following. Tissue infection: Infection of the skin or soft tissues of the lower leg can cause localized pain, usually irritated by touch.

Why do we need legs?

We need our legs for a lot of the activities of daily living and, for the most part, we take them for granted. It is not until you are having lower leg pain that you realize just how important your calves are for ambulation. The lower leg consists of muscles, bones, tendons, ligaments, joints, blood vessels, and nerves.

Why do my legs hurt?

Most causes of lower leg pain are just aches and pains caused by minor injuries to the muscles, tendons, and ligaments in the lower leg. These types of injuries can be managed at home quite easily.

What is a thigh tear?

A tear in a thigh muscle is referred to as a thigh strain and depending on its severity it is classified as a first, second or third degree strain: First degree strain is damage to a few muscle fibres.

How long does it take to recover from a thigh strain?

In the case of a complete rupture the thigh muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months.

What muscles are in the back of the thigh?

The thigh has three sets of strong muscles: the hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh, the quadriceps muscles in the front, and the adductor muscles on the inside. The quadriceps located at the front of the thigh is responsible for extending the knee and bending the leg. The quadriceps group is made up of four muscles: Rectus Femoris, ...

How to know if you have a grade 1 thigh strain?

There may be a sensation of cramp or Thigh tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted.

How to keep your thigh muscles warm?

Warm up before any exercise session or sports activity, including practice. Take time to cool down after exercise. Warm Pants (Compression Shorts) or a Thigh Support can help to retain muscle temperature and are very for the prevention of thigh muscle injuries.

What are some exercises to strengthen the hamstrings?

As the thigh muscles get stronger, core strength and core stability exercises can improve muscle function across the trunk and pelvis and reduce the risk of Hamstring injury. Core strength exercises using a Swiss Ball and Resistance Bands are ideal for a quick return to functional activity.

What is the protocol for muscle strain?

Most muscle strains can be treated with the RICE protocol. RICE stands for Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation. This should help to limit bleeding and swelling in the tissues. After the early days have been spent resting more active rehabilitation can be started.

What Is A Leg Strain?

Symptoms

Diagnosis

Expected Duration

Prevention

Treatment

When to Call A Professional

Prognosis

• To help prevent muscle strains in your legs, you can: 1. Warm up before you participate in high-risk sports. 2. Follow an exercise program aimed at stretching and strengthening your leg muscles. 3. Increase the intensity of your training program gradually. Never push yourself too hard, too soon.

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