Medical expert of the article
New publications
Muscle injuries: causes, symptoms, diagnosis, treatment
Last reviewed: 05.07.2025
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
[ What causes muscle tears?
Muscle ruptures occur when they are overstretched or when a contracting muscle is hit. However, more often there are injuries from sudden and sharp muscle strain. Any muscle can be damaged by this mechanism of injury, although in clinical practice, ruptures of the biceps brachii, rectus femoris, gastrocnemius, less commonly the triceps brachii, deltoid and other muscles are observed. Usually, the muscle is destroyed at the point where it transitions to the tendon, i.e. at the point where elasticity has already been lost, but the strength has not yet reached the tendon.
Symptoms of Muscle Tears
Anamnesis
The anamnesis indicates an injury, sharp pain at the moment of injury and loss of function of the affected muscle. At this moment, patients hear a crunch at the site of injury.
Inspection and physical examination
In the area of the rupture, tissue edema and bruising are detected during examination. The torn abdomen can often be determined visually. It is also palpated under the skin as a dense lump, the size of which increases when trying to strain the muscle; muscle function is significantly impaired. In addition, a slit-like depression is palpated at the site of the rupture (should be compared with a healthy limb).
Laboratory and instrumental studies
Electromyography above the injury zone in the acute stage gives an increase in biopotentials with their subsequent decrease in the chronic period. Below the rupture level, a sharp decrease in biopotentials is immediately recorded until the electromyographic curve is leveled.
Treatment of muscle tears
Conservative treatment of muscle tears
Conservative treatment is used more often for incomplete muscle ruptures. It consists of immobilizing the limb with a plaster cast in the position of greatest relaxation of the injured muscle with the capture of the above- and below-lying joint. It is advisable to start cold on the injured area with irrigation with ethyl chloride. From the 3rd day, UHF is prescribed. Immobilization lasts 3-4 weeks for partial ruptures, 4-6 weeks for complete ruptures. Then they begin rehabilitation treatment (exercise therapy, physiotherapy) with gradually increasing physical activity.
Surgical treatment of muscle tears
Surgical treatment of muscle ruptures in the early stages consists of suturing the torn muscle; in the later stages (due to its retraction and degeneration) this operation cannot be performed. Plastic muscle restoration is performed.