Stretching of muscles of arms, legs, back, neck: signs, consequences

During intensive training, and even in everyday life, none of us is immune from various injuries. For example, to get a muscle strain, it is enough to simply trip or slip. What is the danger of such an injury? Should it be treated, and how to do it most effectively?

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Epidemiology

The incidence of muscle injuries due to sports activities is about 3-4% of all cases of such injuries (meaning domestic, industrial, street injuries). However, a person who trains daily is less likely to suffer muscle damage than someone who trains every other day or does not train at all.

More than half of all sprains occur in the lower extremities. A smaller percentage is attributed to injuries to the upper extremities, back, neck, etc.

It is noteworthy that sports activities without the involvement of a coach result in muscle injuries 4 times more often than in the presence of a mentor.

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Causes muscle strains

Such an injury can be caused by various reasons. For example, by improper transportation of heavy loads, by sudden contraction and strong short-term tension of individual muscle structures, by awkward or abrupt movements. Excessive tension, unnatural range of motion often occur during active games such as volleyball, football, basketball.

Muscles in children, adolescents, and athletic young people who regularly engage in moderate physical activity are less susceptible to injury. Weightlifters and people who engage in heavy physical labor are most often injured.

Muscle strains during splits most often result in damage to the groin muscles, which over time can cause cramps in the groin. Less often, the biceps and semitendinosus muscles, which extend the hip, are stretched. Such an injury is easy to get if an attempt to sit on the splits is made without preliminary preparation, abruptly, and sometimes with outside "help". The latter option can lead not only to a stretch, but also to a dislocation and a rupture of the muscles.

Muscle strains during training and other physical activities are the leading factors in the frequency of injuries. The problem occurs at the most intense or peak moment of the exercise, when testing stretching or flexibility, with sudden load on the limb. Accidental falls, blows or breakdowns during training are also not uncommon. Such injuries are called "acute strains".

"Chronic strains" are defined as any muscle injury that involves prolonged, repeated, or severe force on a single muscle group. Weightlifters are the most susceptible to such injuries.

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Risk factors

Risk factors may include:

• poor training, incorrect execution of exercises;
• lifting and carrying objects that are inappropriately heavy;
• prolonged stay in an uncomfortable position;
• poor muscle training;
• falls, injuries;
• competitions, contests where it is necessary to show maximum strength and endurance;
• long break from sports.

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Pathogenesis

Muscle fibers are attached to the bone by tendons and determine movements and their strength. During intense exercise, and especially during abrupt movements (pushing, pulling, changing direction), muscle tension can increase greatly, leading to overstretching or even rupture of the fibrous structure.

Most often, this happens if, at the moment of stretching, the muscles are simultaneously subject to contraction. Most often, the muscles that connect the joints are damaged. For example, this can be the muscles of the back of the thigh (connects the hip and knee joint), the calf muscles (connects the knee and ankle).

Trauma occurs not only with sudden or incorrect movement. Damage can be preceded by:

• muscle fatigue, general fatigue;
• previous injuries;
• violation of elasticity and strength of muscles.

When injured, an inflammatory reaction and swelling develop in the affected area. Then, a recovery process starts in the fibers. If the tissue does not regenerate completely or with the formation of a large number of cicatricial changes, then such an area becomes more vulnerable to repeated stretching.

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Symptoms muscle strains

Damage to muscle fibers does not always proceed clinically in the same way: it may depend on the localization and degree of muscle damage. For example, specialists distinguish several degrees of this disorder:

1. Trauma to individual fibers, which is accompanied by slight pain.
2. Formation of tissue swelling against the background of moderate pain.
3. Severe muscle damage, with severe pain and limited mobility.

Depending on the stage of the disorder, the following first signs may appear:

• pain in the affected area - immediately at the moment of injury, as well as after some time - at rest or during physical exertion;
• increasing pain when straining the affected muscles;
• difficulty with movements associated with the injured area;
• severe bleeding into tissue (massive hematoma), swelling;
• sealing the damaged area.

A strain can affect almost any part of the body. For example, if you lift too heavy objects incorrectly, the muscles of the lumbar region and abdominal press will most likely suffer. When turning your head sharply, the muscles of the neck are damaged. During sports, the risk of injury increases in relation to the shoulders and limbs.

The pain from a muscle strain can be of different nature: from sharp during movement to aching during rest. Painful sensations are more pronounced during the first few days after the injury. It may increase at night. If the pain becomes unbearable or pulsates, then you should definitely see a doctor for further diagnostics.

The temperature during muscle strain usually increases locally. That is, when touching the affected area, an unnatural warmth is felt, which is a sign of an inflammatory process in the tissues. A general increase in temperature is not typical for the normal course of the recovery period, so in such a situation, you should consult a doctor.

• Muscle strains on the leg occur most often. The first symptom is pain: severe, sudden, immobilizing - with a severe injury, and insignificant - with a slight injury. After some time, the injured area begins to swell, signs of local inflammation appear. The muscle becomes sensitive and painful when pressed.
• A strain of the thigh muscles is accompanied by a slight "click" sensation. Relatively strong pain occurs, especially when touching the injured area. Externally, a bruise can be detected, usually large in size. After injury, it is almost impossible to continue moving, so the victim often takes a forced position and suffers from pain. Particular problems arise when trying to bend and straighten the leg at the hip joint. A strain of the quadriceps (anterior) leads to unpleasant sensations on the outer surface of the thigh. The pain is usually aching, subsiding at rest and during sleep. A strain of the sartorius muscle is accompanied by a significant decrease in the motor amplitude in the hip and knee joints, acute pain, swelling and edema in the area of damage.
• A strain of the adductor muscle of the thigh leads to difficulty in straightening and bending the legs. This muscle is always subject to a lot of stress and can be damaged during intense running, fast walking, jumping and active games. There may be no hematoma with an injury, but pain is always present to one degree or another.
• A strain of the hamstring muscles is accompanied by limited mobility of the hip and knee joint. The victim feels severe pain and loses the ability to move the limb, or even just walk. The hamstring is considered especially vulnerable when playing volleyball, basketball, football, and when performing long or high jumps.
• A gastrocnemius muscle strain occurs with a partial rupture of the muscle fibers or connective tissue ligaments that connect the muscle to the Achilles tendon. The injury is accompanied by pain when trying to strain the ankle and when pushing the foot off the floor. It becomes difficult for the victim to stand on the injured leg or lift the foot.
• A strain of the groin muscles affects the muscles located on the medial side of the thigh. The groin muscles are designed to perform the adductor function - that is, with their help, a person is able to bring the lower limbs together and spread them apart. The injury can occur when performing sharp lunges, with an accelerated start, when trying to do the splits. In addition to swelling and pain, such a pathology can be accompanied by a crunching sound, increased density of muscle fibers (1-2 days after the injury). As the muscles recover, depressions and protrusions may form in them. The least common type of strain is the pubic muscle (more precisely, the pubococcygeal ligament), the function of which is to raise the anus. Damage to this muscle is possible during childbirth and is characterized by urinary incontinence in the postpartum period.
• A knee muscle strain is characterized by sudden difficulty in joint movement, pain (especially when palpated). Specific clicks and crunches are felt during movement. Externally, the knee swells, the skin darkens as a result of subcutaneous hemorrhage. The victim complains of problematic bending in the knee joint, difficulty walking.
• Ankle sprains are extremely rare, as usually the ligaments in this area are sprained or torn. Muscle structures are practically not affected - for example, muscle ruptures are never observed here.
• Muscle strains in the foot always occur suddenly – for example, when landing incorrectly or when the foot is positioned incorrectly. Typical symptoms are pain, swelling, and bleeding. The pain is localized in the inner part of the foot – the victim experiences particularly acute painful sensations in the morning when getting out of bed or after a long period of rest.
• Hip strain is common among athletes and dancers. The pathology always begins with pain that makes it difficult to move and worsens the quality of life of the victim. The pain is usually moderate but constant. Mobility is preserved but severely limited.
• A sprain of the arm muscles occurs as a result of the impact of a load that exceeds the elasticity of the muscle tissue. Often, a sprain of the hand muscles occurs when falling on straight arms: such damage can vary from minor to a complete rupture of the muscle and ligament apparatus. A sprain of the wrist muscles often occurs during a sharp blow, lifting a heavy object, or falling. The pathology is characterized by the occurrence of moderate or intense pain in the muscles, weakness of the hands, and swelling. A person loses the ability to adequately "use" the joint - for example, write, work at a computer, hold cutlery.
• A shoulder muscle strain can affect the upper arm, which starts from the shoulder joint itself to the elbow joint. A shoulder muscle strain includes injury to the large and small, deltoid, infraspinatus and supraspinatus, subscapularis and teres muscles. The injury is accompanied by the following typical symptoms: pain when palpating, hematoma formation, swelling, increased pain when trying to move the shoulder. A shoulder muscle strain can occur with any incorrect position of the shoulder. Pain does not always bother, so many patients do not immediately seek medical help, despite the fact that an advanced process is much more difficult to treat.
• Forearm muscle strain is characterized by problems with bending and straightening the fingers. This happens when lifting heavy objects or when falling. The pain occurs immediately after the injury and does not go away within 24 hours. The patient is unable to turn or bend the wrist. Over time, swelling develops, which spreads to the entire surface of the forearm.
• Elbow muscle strain is typical for athletes who play baseball, golf, tennis, and bodybuilders. As a rule, muscle damage in most cases is combined with a violation of the integrity of the ligaments. This condition is accompanied by the formation of an extensive hematoma, swelling of the elbow joint, pain, and limited movement.
• Jaw muscle strain is not uncommon. This pathology can occur when trying to open the mouth as far as possible. As a rule, the muscles attached to the temporomandibular joint are affected - you can feel it yourself, as it is located directly in front of the ear tragus. Severe pain occurs along the muscles, the lower jaw swells, problems with chewing food and - sometimes - with speech arise. Facial muscle strain occurs with all the typical signs of this traumatic injury.
• Back muscle strains are often accompanied by damage to the paraspinal fasciae and ligaments, which provide initial protection against damage caused by increased physical effort. After injury, swelling occurs and pressure on adjacent structures increases. The muscles contract so much that sometimes a dense spasmodic area can be identified. Lumbar muscle strains occur with simultaneous spasm, which occurs in response to damage to the spinal segment and protects the back from subsequent post-traumatic disorders. Spasm, in turn, worsens blood flow and increases pain. Particularly common is the strain of the iliac muscle, which, together with the lumbar structure, forms the iliopsoas muscles.
• A neck muscle strain is always painful, not only in the neck, but also in the shoulders and head. The pain varies depending on the degree of injury – from aching to sharp. The appearance of additional painful symptoms is also possible: sensitivity in the limbs worsens, muscle spasms occur, the victim complains of a severe headache up to loss of consciousness. Neck mobility is sharply limited, local edema forms, the head takes a forced position. The patient is lethargic, apathy appears.
• A strain of the trapezius muscle is a back muscle injury. The trapezius muscle group runs along the back and the back of the neck, and is triangular in shape. Its function is to support the head, so an injury to this muscle group leads to problems with head and neck movements. Movement in the upper limbs may weaken, and spastic pain and tingling sensations along the muscles may appear.
• A scapular muscle strain is always characterized by pain syndrome – from minor discomfort to severe immobilizing pain. In all cases, severe swelling and deterioration of motor activity can be observed – especially when bending and turning the body. The clinical picture becomes more detailed with concomitant damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the back.
• A deltoid muscle strain, or triceps, occurs when the upper limb is lifted incorrectly. This condition is characterized by pain when moving the shoulder, when trying to lift the shoulder, when bringing the hand to the shoulder, when trying to reach the suprascapular area of the back with the hand. The pain is practically not disturbing at rest, but when moving or palpating, the discomfort is renewed. This pathology is often confused with arthritis of the shoulder joint, so the condition requires more thorough diagnosis.
• A strain of the soleus muscle occurs during running. This muscle is small in size. Together with the gastrocnemius muscles, it forms the three-headed muscle group located above the knee joint. When this group is damaged, foot movement becomes difficult, and the ability to maintain balance deteriorates. Externally, the problems manifest themselves as lameness, and the patient complains of cramps, a feeling of tension and tightness.
• Stretching of the abdominal muscles is accompanied by discomfort in the abdominal muscles, spastic pain. The pain is especially aggravated by attempts to touch, strain the abdominal muscles, or simply bend. Stretching of the abdominal muscles occurs with the formation of hematomas and the appearance of swelling in places of severe muscle damage. The stronger the pain, the more damaged the muscle fibers of the abdominal press.
• A pectoral muscle strain most often occurs after direct blows to the area of muscle fiber localization, such as when falling backwards or during boxing. The condition is characterized by sharp pain and decreased mobility of the shoulder girdle. Discomfort also occurs with a deep breath, when turning or bending the body. As the internal hematoma increases, the contractile ability of the muscles worsens. Often, intercostal muscle strain occurs simultaneously with damage to the pectoral muscles. Signs of such a pathology are not detected immediately, but as internal hemorrhage and edema increase. Often, the injury must be differentiated from inflammatory intercostal neuralgia. For example, a strain of the serratus muscle, which begins at the outer surface of the upper 8-9 ribs and the tendinous arch in the space between the 1-2 ribs, is manifested by a feeling of internal constriction. Only over time does a nagging pain occur, which intensifies in the evening or after various types of exercise. The clinical picture is very typical for a common inflammatory process.
• Straining of the gluteal muscles is often confused with sciatica. The painful condition is characterized by the appearance of a hematoma, limited mobility and pain in the hip or lower back, limping, numbness, a feeling of stiffness, and tissue swelling.

Muscle strain in a child

Children are no less susceptible to various injuries than adults – primarily because of their activity, curiosity and emotionality. Children are moving almost all the time: running, jumping, tumbling. There is nothing wrong with this, but as a result, the child can get injured – for example, get a muscle strain.

According to statistics, children most often injure the muscles of the ankle and knee joint.

Neither a parent nor, especially, a child will be able to determine the type of injury on their own. Therefore, if certain symptoms appear, the child should be immediately shown to a doctor:

• pain after injury, movement disorders, numbness of a limb;
• swelling, puffiness some time after injury;
• the appearance of a hematoma (bruise);
• local increase in temperature.
• What should a parent do if they notice such signs:
• apply cold to the affected area (for example, ice from the freezer wrapped in a towel) for about 15 minutes;
• bandage the joint with an elastic bandage;
• take the child to a traumatologist who will conduct a diagnosis and prescribe appropriate further treatment.

Muscle strain during pregnancy

Sometimes during pregnancy a woman may feel a sharp piercing pain in the abdominal muscles. This pain lasts literally a few seconds and occurs when changing body position or rising from a horizontal to a vertical position. Such pains are most often associated with the natural stretching of the abdominal muscles by the enlarging uterus. Unpleasant sensations are often accompanied by spasms and soreness, sometimes radiating to the lumbar region.

Is it possible to alleviate this condition? Doctors advise to sit down and try to relax as much as possible at the moment of discomfort. In a calm state, the spasm should subside. If you cannot relax in this position, you can try to get on all fours or lean forward - for example, lean on the back of a bed or sofa. In this position, the muscles manage to get rid of excess tension.

A warm shower is also very relaxing and is also used to normalize muscle tone.

If the spasm occurs closer to evening, it is recommended to lie on your side, bend your knees, bring your knees to your stomach, placing one small pillow under your stomach and the other between your legs. This position is the most comfortable for muscle rest.

To prevent muscle spasms, it is recommended to wear a support bandage daily from about the 20th week, which successfully copes with its function, relieving the load on the muscles. The bandage is selected individually.

Muscle strain after childbirth

A defect, or diastasis of the rectus abdominis muscles, occurs after a difficult birth or cesarean section. This problem cannot be ignored, as it may lead to adverse consequences.

Postpartum stretching is understood as the widening of the white line of the abdomen – the space between the rectus muscles. Such widening can be insignificant or pronounced, up to the appearance of problems in the functioning of internal organs. Depending on the width of the defect, the method of treatment is selected. This can be complex special gymnastics, or even surgical intervention.

It is worth noting that this problem does not disappear on its own. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor and not delay its solution.

Stages

Stretching due to physical overexertion is divided into several stages:

1. The pain appears only after exertion.
2. The pain appears after and during exercise, but does not affect performance.
3. Pain appears after and during exercise and significantly impairs work capacity.
4. The pain becomes constant and minimizes physical activity.

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Forms

Muscle tissue damage can be divided into the following types:

1. Minor damage of less than 5% of fibers, with minor impairment of motor activity.
2. Relatively extensive trauma to the fibers, without disruption of their integrity.
3. A muscle injury that disrupts the integrity of individual or all fibers.

The severity and extent of the injury is determined by the doctor during diagnosis. The extent of the stretch directly affects the amount of treatment prescribed.

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Complications and consequences

In some cases, damage to muscle fibers leads to problems with motor activity.

In areas of muscle regeneration, scars and tiny nodules can form, which increase the vulnerability of the muscle. As a result, repeated injuries, inflammatory processes, and constant aching pain can occur.

Repeated damage to the muscle structure, even to the point of rupture, often occurs in the case of premature completion of the recovery rehabilitation period.

With a partial rupture of the fibers, the patient may experience constant pain and a tingling sensation, which, in turn, can cause vascular spasm, circulatory disorders, and even tissue dystrophy due to impaired trophism.

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Diagnostics muscle strains

The diagnosis is made based on characteristic symptoms and, if possible, on MRI or ultrasound information. These studies often complete the instrumental diagnostics.

Muscle tissue is not visualized by X-ray, so this type of diagnostics is used exclusively to ensure that there is no fracture. By the way, bone fractures are often combined with muscle damage, and even have largely similar symptoms. X-ray data are also taken into account when conducting differential diagnostics.

Blood tests are rarely prescribed - mainly to exclude the presence of an inflammatory process. In case of an extensive hematoma, a coagulogram may be performed to clarify the quality of blood clotting.

Differential diagnostics include excluding fractures, complete rupture of muscles, tendons, ligaments, and diseases of muscle tissue.

Sprains, unlike fractures, are not accompanied by pain when pressing on the bone. And at the moment of injury, when the integrity of the bone is violated, as a rule, a specific "crunch" is heard.

A stretched muscle at rest and in an immobilized state is almost painless, crepitus is not detected, and deformation occurs due to tissue swelling.

When a fracture occurs, pain always bothers, which leads to the impossibility of adequate sleep and rest for the victim. Crepitus is felt when palpating the damaged area. If the bone fragments are displaced, then a distinct deformation can be noticed.

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Differential diagnosis

A sprain should also be differentiated from a joint dislocation. With such an injury, ligaments are torn or stretched, a shortening of the limb and a resistance effect during passive movements are possible.

Prevention

Traumatologists recommend following a number of rules that will help prevent and avoid muscle injuries:

• Ensure a healthy and nutritious diet with sufficient protein content.
• Monitor your weight, as obese people are more susceptible to falls and injuries.
• Try to minimize the risk of falling: avoid cluttered and slippery areas of the road, wear shoes with treads in icy conditions, use a flashlight in the dark, etc.
• Exercise regularly to keep your muscles toned.
• Never start training without first warming up your muscles and doing special stretching exercises.
• To play sports, you need to buy special shoes and clothes.
• It is not advisable to do physical exercises that are too intense or that use an inadequate range of motion.

If you are starting to exercise for the first time, then training should definitely be done with a trainer who will monitor the load and point out possible errors in movements.

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Forecast

In most patients, with a competent treatment approach, muscle tissue is completely restored after injury. The prognosis for muscle strain is completely favorable if you listen to all the recommendations of the traumatologist and follow his instructions.

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