A torn muscle can be a real pain!

[21 July 2010 - 12h31]

A muscle tear ¬– also known as a pulled muscle – is a common injury. It can be a problem for sportsmen and sportswomen and also for those who are very active. It generally occurs during some form of strenuous exercise where the individual involved has not warmed up sufficiently. How is it treated? With rest and more rest.

Athletes who have experienced a torn muscle compare the pain with being stabbed with a dagger! In other words, the pain is intense and violent and is caused by the rupture (or indeed tearing) of some of the muscle fibres. Most commonly affected are the quadriceps (the muscles located on the front of the thigh), the hamstring muscles (on the back of the thigh) and the calf muscles.

First aid treatment requires the application of ice or a cold wrap to the damaged area. This causes the blood vessels to contract, restricting the internal bleeding that accompanies the injury. To avoid skin burns, always ensure that there are some layers of fabric between the skin and the ice. You can also compress the injury by applying a bandage. Then, go and see a doctor. After establishing the extent of the injury he will prescribe … rest. You will need to continue resting the damaged area for a number of days … or even weeks, depending on the severity of the tear. And when you return to exercise, it must be gently and in a gradual way.

The best advice for preventing this type of accident is, of course, not to overestimate your own ability. In other words, you need to adjust your level of exercise to your current state of fitness. And, most importantly, make sure you warm up properly.

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