Stretching the muscles of the hands, legs, back, neck: signs, consequences

During intensive training, and in ordinary daily life, none of us is immune from various injuries. For example, to get a stretching of the muscles, it is enough just to stumble or slip. What is the danger of such a trauma? Is it necessary to treat it, and how to do it as efficiently as possible?

[1], [2], [3], [4], [5], [6]

Epidemiology

The frequency of muscular injuries as a result of sports is about 3-4% of all cases of such injury (referring to household, industrial, street injuries). Nevertheless, a person who trains daily, less often gets muscle damage than someone who trains in a day, or does not train at all.

More than half of all the stretches fall on the lower limbs. A smaller percentage is given to the lesions of the upper limbs, back, neck, etc.

It is noteworthy that sports without attracting a coach are 4 times more likely to result in muscle injuries than in the presence of a mentor.

[7], [8], [9], [10], [11]

Causes of the muscle stretching

You can get such a trauma for various reasons. For example, with incorrect transportation of heavy loads, with a sharp reduction and a strong short-term stress of individual muscle structures, with awkward or abrupt movements. Excessive stresses, unnatural amplitude of movements often occur with moving games - such as volleyball, football, basketball.

Injuries are less susceptible to muscles in children, adolescents and sports young people who regularly engage in moderate physical activity. Most often injured athletes, weightlifters, as well as people engaged in heavy physical labor.

Stretching muscles with twine often leads to damage to the inguinal muscles, which in time can cause seizures in the groin. Less often stretch the biceps and semisuscular muscles, which unbend the thigh. Such an injury is easy to get if an attempt to sit on the twine is done without preliminary preparation, sharply, and sometimes - with outside help. The latter option can lead not only to stretching, but also to dislocation and rupture of the musculature.

Stretch muscles during training and other physical activity are the leading factors in the frequency of injury. Anxiety occurs in the most intense or peak moment of the exercise, when testing stretching or flexibility, with a sudden load on the limb. It is not uncommon for casual falls, blows or disruptions during training. Such injuries are called "acute sprains".

"Chronic sprains" are recognized as all muscle injuries associated with prolonged, regular or severe exposure to a single muscle group. The most heavily injured athletes are weightlifters.

[12], [13], [14], [15], [16]

Risk factors

Risk factors may include:

• Inept training, improper exercise;
• lifting and transferring inadequately heavy objects;
• long stay in an uncomfortable position;
• poor muscular training;
• falling, injury;
• competitions, competitions, where it is required to show the maximum strength and endurance;
• a long break in the sport.

[17], [18], [19], [20], [21], [22], [23], [24]

Pathogenesis

Muscle fibers are attached to the bones with the help of tendons, and determine the movements and their strength. During an intense load, and especially when carrying out sudden movements (repulsions, pull-ups, changes in direction), muscle tension can greatly increase, which leads to overextension or even a rupture of the fibrous structure.

Most often, this happens if at the time of stretching the musculature is simultaneously subjected to contraction. The most common injuries are muscles that connect joints to each other. For example, it can be the musculature of the hamstring (connects the femoral and knee joint), gastrocnemius (connects the knee and ankle).

Injury occurs not only in the case of abrupt or abnormal movement. Damage can be preceded by:

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

In case of trauma in the affected area, an inflammatory reaction and edema develop. Further, in the fibers, a restorative process is started. If the tissue does not regenerate fully or with the formation of a large number of cicatricial changes, then such a site becomes more vulnerable to repeated stretching.

[25], [26], [27], [28], [29], [30], [31], [32], [33], [34]

Symptoms of the muscle stretching

Damage to muscle fibers is not always clinically the same: it may depend on the location and degree of damage to the musculature. For example, experts identify several degrees of this violation:

1. Injury of individual fibers, which is accompanied by slight painful sensations.
2. Formation of puffiness of tissues against a background of moderate pain.
3. Severe musculature damage, with pronounced pain and limited mobility.

Depending on the stage of the violation, such first signs may appear:

• soreness in the affected area - directly at the time of injury, and also through time - at rest or under physical exertion;
• the growth of soreness with the tension of the affected musculature;
• difficulties with movements associated with the damaged area;
• severe hemorrhage in the tissue (massive hematoma), swelling;
• seal the place of damage.

Stretching can affect almost any part of the body. For example, if it is wrong to lift too heavy objects, then the muscles of the lumbar region and the abdominal mass will most likely suffer. With a sharp turn of the head, the muscles of the neck are damaged. During sports, the risk of injury rises with respect to the shoulders, limbs.

Pain when stretching the muscles can have a different character: from sharp during movements, to aching in the rest period. Painful sensations are more evident during the first few days after getting injured. Perhaps amplification at night. If the pain becomes unbearable, or pulsates, then you must necessarily show the doctor for further diagnosis.

The temperature at the stretching of the muscles usually rises at the local level. That is, when touched to the affected area, unnatural heat is felt, which is a sign of the inflammatory process in the tissues. The overall temperature increase for the normal course of the recovery period is not typical, so in such a situation, you should consult a doctor.

• The stretching of the muscles on the leg happens most often. The first symptom is pain: strong, sudden, immobilizing - with severe trauma, and insignificant - with slight damage. After a while, the injured place begins to swell, there are signs of local inflammation. The muscle becomes sensitive and painful when pressed.
• Stretching of the muscles of the thigh is accompanied by a sensation of a slight "click". There is a relatively strong soreness, especially when touched by a traumatized place. Externally, you can find a bruise, often larger. After the damage to the movement is almost impossible, so the victim often takes a forced position and is exhausted from the pain. Special problems arise when trying to flex and unbend the leg in the hip joint. Stretching the quadriceps (anterior) leads to unpleasant sensations on the external surface of the thigh. The pain in most cases is aching, subsiding at rest and during sleep. Stretching of the sartorius muscle is accompanied by a significant decrease in the motor amplitude in the region of the hip and knee joint, acute pain, swelling and swelling in the area of injury.
• The stretching of the adductor muscle of the thigh results in difficulty in straightening and flexing the legs. This muscle is always subjected to a heavy load and can be damaged by intense running, accelerated walking, during jumps and moving games. Hematoma can be absent in trauma, but pain is always present to some extent.
• The stretching of the muscles of the posterior surface of the thigh is accompanied by a restriction of mobility of the hip and knee joint. The victim feels severe pain and loses the ability to perform movements limb, and even just walk. The back of the thigh is considered to be particularly vulnerable when practicing volleyball, basketball, football, as well as when doing jumps in length or in height.
• The gastrocnemius stretches with a partial rupture of the muscle fibers or connective tissue ligaments that connect the muscle to the Achilles tendon. Damage 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 damaged leg, raise the foot.
• The stretching of the inguinal muscles affects the musculature located on the medial femoral side. The inguinal muscles are intended to perform the function of bringing - that is, with their help a person is able to reduce and dilute the lower limbs. Injury can occur when carrying out sharp attacks, with accelerated start, when trying to sit on the twine. In addition to edema and pain, a similar pathology can be accompanied by a crunchy sound, increased density of muscle fibers (1-2 days after injury). As the musculature is restored, it may form cavities and protrusions. The least obvious is the stretching of the pubic muscle (more precisely - pubic-coccygeal strand), the function of which is to raise the anus. Damage to this muscle is possible during labor and is characterized by urinary incontinence in the postpartum period.
• Stretching of the knee muscles is characterized by sudden difficulty of movement in the joint, the appearance of pain (especially when probing). During the movements, specific clicks and crunches are felt. Outwardly the knee swells, the skin darkens as a result of subcutaneous hemorrhage. The victim complains of a problematic flexion in the knee joint, difficulty in walking.
• Stretching of the ankle muscles happens extremely rarely, since usually in this area there is a stretching or rupture of ligaments. Muscular structures practically do not suffer - for example, there is never a muscle rupture here.
• Stretching of the foot muscles always happens abruptly - for example, with an incorrect landing or unsuccessful installation of the foot. Typical symptoms are pain, swelling, hemorrhage. The pain is localized in the inner part of the foot - the patient experiences particularly acute painful sensations in the morning when he gets up from bed, or after a long quiet situation.
• Stretching of the hip muscle is typical for athletes and dancers. Pathology always begins with pain, which impedes movement and worsens the quality of life of the victim. Pain, as a rule, is moderate, but constant. Mobility is preserved, but severely limited.
• The stretching of the arm muscles occurs as a result of the influence of the load, which exceeds the degree of elasticity of the muscular tissue. Often, stretching the muscles of the hand happens when falling on straight hands: this damage can range from a slight, to a complete rupture of the muscular and ligamentous apparatus. The stretching of the muscles of the wrist often occurs during a sharp impact, lifting a heavy object, falling. Pathology is characterized by the appearance of moderate or intense soreness in the muscles, weakness of the brushes, edema. A person loses the ability to adequately "use" the joint - for example, writing, working at a computer, keeping cutlery.
• Stretching of the shoulder muscles can affect the upper segment of the arm, which originates from the immediate joint of the shoulder to the elbow joint. Stretching of the muscles of the shoulder joint involves trauma of the large and small, deltoid, subacute and supraspinous, subscapular and round musculature. Damage is accompanied by such typical symptoms: pain during palpation, formation of a hematoma, swelling, intensification of painful sensations when trying to perform shoulder movements. Stretching of the shoulder muscle can occur with any wrong shoulder position. The pain does not always worry, so many patients do not immediately seek medical help, despite the fact that the process started can be treated much worse.
• The stretching of the muscles of the forearm is characterized by the appearance of problems with flexion and extension of the fingers. This happens when lifting heavy objects, or when falling. The pain occurs immediately after the injury and does not go away for 24 hours. The patient is unable to turn or bend the brush. Over time, a swelling is formed that spreads over the entire surface of the forearm.
• Stretching of the muscles of the elbow joint is typical for athletes who are engaged in baseball, golf, tennis, and also for bodybuilders. As a rule, muscular damage in most cases is combined with a violation of the integrity of the ligaments. This condition is accompanied by the formation of extensive hematoma, swelling of the elbow joint, pain and limited movements.
• Stretching the muscles of the jaw is not uncommon. Such a pathology can happen when trying to open your mouth. As a rule, the musculature, attached to the temporomandibular joint, suffers - it can be palpated independently, since it is located directly in front of the ear of the goat. In the course of the musculature, severe pain arises, the lower jaw swells, problems arise with chewing food and - sometimes, with speech. The stretching of the facial muscles proceeds with all the typical signs of this traumatic injury.
• Sprain of the back muscles is often accompanied by the defeat of the paraspinal fascia and ligaments, which provide an initial defense against damage arising from increased physical effort. After trauma, edema is formed and pressure is exerted on nearby structures. The musculature is reduced to such an extent that sometimes it is possible to determine a dense spasmodic area. Stretching of the lumbar muscles proceeds with simultaneous spasm, which occurs in response to damage to the vertebral segment and protects the back from subsequent post-traumatic disorders. Spasm, in turn, worsens the flow of blood and increases pain. Especially often there is a stretching of the iliac muscle, which, together with the lumbar structure, forms the ilio-lumbar musculature.
• Stretching of the neck muscles is always a pain, not only in the neck, but also in the shoulders, and in the head. Soreness differs depending on the degree of injury - from aching to harsh. It does not exclude the appearance of auxiliary painful symptoms: sensitivity to the extremities worsens, muscle spasms develop, the victim complains of a severe headache right up to loss of consciousness. The mobility of the neck is sharply limited, local edema is formed, the head assumes a forced position. The patient is listless, apathy appears.
• The stretching of the trapezius muscle refers to the damage to the musculature of the back. The trapezius muscle group passes through the back and back of the neck, and has a triangular shape. Its function is to support the head, so trauma to this muscle group leads to problems with movements of the head, neck. Motions in the upper limbs may be weakened, spasmodic pains and tingling sensations along the musculature.
• The stretching of the shoulder muscle is always characterized by pain syndrome - from slight discomfort to severe immobilized pain. In all cases, you can observe pronounced puffiness and impaired motor activity - especially when tilting and turning the body. The clinical picture becomes more developed with concomitant damage to the ligamentous apparatus of the back.
• Stretching of the deltoid muscle, or triceps, occurs when the upper limb is raised incorrectly. For this condition, pain is typical when moving with the shoulder, when trying to lift the shoulder, with the arm raised to the shoulder, when trying to reach out to the suprathumpal portion of the back. The pain is practically not disturbed at rest, however, when moving or probing, unpleasant sensations are resumed. This pathology is often confused with arthritis of the shoulder joint, so the condition requires more thorough diagnosis.
• The stretch of soleus muscle happens during running. This weight is small in size. In combination with the gastrocnemius musculature, it constitutes a triceps muscular group, localized above the knee joint. If this group is damaged, it is difficult to move the foot, and the ability to maintain balance is deteriorating. Externally, the problems are manifested by the appearance of lameness, and the patient complains of convulsions, a feeling of tension and tightness.
• Stretching of the abdominal muscles is accompanied by discomfort in the abdominal muscles, spastic pain. Especially the pain is aggravated when trying to touch, strain the muscles of the press, or just bend. The stretching of the muscles of the press proceeds with the formation of hematomas and the appearance of puffiness in places of severe muscle damage. The stronger the pain, the more damaged the muscle fibers of the abdominal press.
• Stretching of the pectoral muscle usually occurs after direct strikes into the area of the localization of muscle fibers - for example, when falling on the back, or during boxing. The condition is characterized by sharp pain and decreased mobility of the shoulder girdle. Discomfort occurs with a deep breath, with a turn or tilt of the trunk. With the growth of internal hematoma, the contractile capacity of the musculature deteriorates. Often, simultaneously with damage to the chest muscles, stretching of the intercostal muscles also occurs. The signs of this pathology are not detected immediately, but as internal hemorrhage and edema increase. Often the trauma must be differentiated from inflammatory intercostal neuralgia. For example, the extension of the jagged muscle, which begins at the outer surface of the upper 8-9 ribs and the tendon arch in the interval between 1-2 ribs, is manifested by a sensation of internal constriction. Only with the passage of time there is aching pain, which intensifies in the evening, or after various kinds of loads. The clinical picture is very typical for the usual inflammatory process.
• Stretch muscles of the buttocks are often confused with sciatica. A painful condition is characterized by the appearance of a hematoma, restriction of mobility and pain in the thigh or waist region, limping, numbness, stiffness, swelling of the tissues.

Muscle stretching in a child

Children are no less than adults, are subject to various injuries - primarily because of their activity, curiosity and emotionality. Children almost always move: run, jump, somersault. There is nothing wrong with this, but as a result, the child can be injured - for example, get a muscle stretch.

As it appears in the statistics, children most often traumatize the musculature of the ankle and knee joint.

The parent, and, especially, the child himself can not independently determine the type of injury. Therefore, when there are some symptoms of the baby should immediately show the doctor:

• pain after trauma, impaired movement, numbness of limb;
• swelling, swelling after some time after injury;
• the appearance of a bruise (bruise);
• local temperature increase.
• What the parent should do if such signs are found:
• 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 the diagnosis and prescribe the appropriate further treatment.

Stretching of the muscle during pregnancy

Sometimes during pregnancy a woman can feel a sharp piercing pain in the abdominal muscles. This pain lasts for a few seconds and occurs when the body changes position or lifts from a horizontal position to a vertical position. Such pains are most often associated with the natural stretching of the abdominal musculature by an enlarged uterus. Unpleasant sensations are often accompanied by spasm and soreness, sometimes giving back to the lumbar region.

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

It also relaxes a warm shower - it is also used to normalize muscle tone.

If the spasm occurred later in the evening, it is recommended to lie down on one side, bend your knees, bring your knees to your stomach, put one small pillow under your stomach, and the other - between your legs. This position is most comfortable for a muscular rest.

For the prevention of muscle spasms, it is recommended to wear a supporting bandage every day from about 20 weeks, which successfully copes with its function, removing the load from the muscles. Pick up the band individually.

Stretch muscles after childbirth

Defect, or diastase of the rectus abdominal muscles occurs after a difficult birth or caesarean section. Such a problem can not be ignored, since it is possible to develop adverse consequences.

Under the postpartum stretching is understood the expansion of the white line of the abdomen - the gap between the straight muscles. Such expansion may be minor or severe, up to the appearance of problems in the work of internal organs. Depending on the width of the defect, the method of treatment is chosen. This can be a complex special gymnastics, or even a surgical intervention.

It is worth noting that this problem does not disappear by itself. Therefore, it is necessary to consult a doctor and not to delay with her decision.

Stages

Stretching due to physical overstrain is divided into several stages:

1. Pain appears only after a load.
2. The pain appears after and at the time of the load, but does not affect the performance.
3. The pain appears after and at the moment of loading and considerably worsens ability to work.
4. Pain becomes permanent and minimizes physical activity.

[35], [36], [37], [38], [39]

Forms

Damage to the muscle tissue can be divided into the following types:

1. A small lesion of less than 5% of the fibers, with a slight disturbance of motor activity.
2. Relatively extensive fiber trauma, without disrupting their integrity.
3. Injury of the muscle with a violation of the integrity of individual or all fibers.

The severity and extent of damage is determined by the doctor during the diagnosis. The extent of stretching directly depends on the amount of treatment prescribed.

[40], [41]

Complications and consequences

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

In the areas of muscular regeneration, scars, small nodules, which increase the vulnerability of the muscle, can form. As a consequence, there may be repeated injuries, inflammation, constant aching pain.

Repeated violation of the muscular structure until the rupture often occurs in case of premature completion of the rehabilitation rehabilitation period.

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

[42], [43], [44]

Diagnostics of the muscle stretching

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

Muscular tissue is not visualized by radiography, so this type of diagnosis is used solely to ensure that there is no fracture. By the way, bone fractures often combine with muscle damage, and even have a much similar symptomatology. X-ray data are also taken into account when performing differential diagnosis.

Blood tests are rarely prescribed - mainly to exclude the presence of an inflammatory process. With extensive hematoma, it is possible to conduct a coagulogram to determine the quality of blood coagulation.

Differential diagnosis provides for the elimination of fractures, complete rupture of muscles, tendons, ligaments, as well as diseases of muscle tissue.

Stretch, unlike a fracture, is not accompanied by pain when the bone is pressed. And at the time of injury, if the integrity of the bone is broken, a specific "crunch" is usually heard.

Stretched muscle in rest and immobilized state almost does not hurt, crepitation is not detected, and deformation occurs due to tissue edema.

With a fracture, the pain is always troubling, which leads to the impossibility of adequate sleep and rest for the victim. When palpation of the damaged area, crepitation is felt. If the fragments of the bone are displaced, then you can see a distinct deformation.

[45], [46], [47], [48], [49]

Differential diagnosis

Differentiation of stretching should also be from joint dislocation. In this trauma, the ligament ruptures or sprains, there may be a shortening of the limb and a resistance effect during passive movements.

Prevention

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

• Take care of a healthy and nutritious diet, with enough protein.
• Monitor body weight, since people with obesity are more prone to various falls and injuries.
• Try to minimize the risk of falling: walk around the cluttered and slippery sections of the road, put ice on the shoes with a tread, use a flashlight in the dark, etc.
• Regularly exercise in order to maintain muscle tissue in tone.
• Never start training without first "warming up" the muscles and special stretching exercises.
• For sports, you must purchase special shoes and clothes.
• It is undesirable to do physical exercises too intensively, and also with use of an inadequate motor amplitude.

If you start sports for the first time, then training should always be conducted with a coach who will monitor the load and indicate possible errors in movements.

[50], [51], [52], [53]

Forecast

In most patients with a competent therapeutic approach, the muscle tissue is completely restored after the damage. The prognosis of muscle stretching is completely favorable, if you listen to all the recommendations of a trauma doctor and follow his instructions.

[54], [55]