Muscle strains

Diagnosis

During the physical exam, your healthcare professional will check for swelling and tender spots. The location and intensity of your pain can help your healthcare professional figure out how serious the injury is.

If the muscle or tendon is completely torn, your healthcare professional may be able to see or feel an issue in the injured area. An ultrasound may help show the difference between types of soft tissue injuries.

Treatment

For immediate self-care of a muscle or tendon strain, use the P.R.I.C.E. method:

• Protect. Protect the injured area. Use crutches or a cane to keep weight off an injured leg or foot. Your healthcare professional may recommend a brace or splint, depending on your strain.
• Rest. Stop activities that cause pain, swelling or discomfort. Light movement is OK if it doesn't make symptoms worse.
• Ice. Apply ice right away, even if you plan to see a healthcare professional. Use an ice pack or a bag of crushed ice wrapped in a towel for 15 to 20 minutes at a time. Do this every 2 to 3 hours while you are awake for the first few days after the injury. Always put a thin cloth between the ice and your skin for protection.
• Compression. Wrap the area with an elastic bandage to reduce swelling. Start wrapping at the point farthest from your heart. Make sure the wrap is snug but not too tight. Loosen the bandage right away if you feel pain, numbness or swelling below the wrap.
• Elevation. Raise the injured area above the level of your heart, especially at night, to help reduce swelling.

You also can manage pain by taking pain medicines you can buy without a prescription, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others), naproxen sodium (Aleve) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).

Rehabilitation and further treatment

A physical therapist can help you rebuild strength and stability. Your healthcare professional may recommend a brace or splint to keep the area still while it heals. For serious injuries, such as when a tendon completely tears from the bone, surgery may be needed.

Preparing for your appointment

You may first see your primary healthcare professional. Depending on your injury, you may be referred to a sports medicine specialist or a doctor who specializes in bones, joints and muscles, typically an orthopedic surgeon. Or you may be referred to a physical medicine rehabilitation program.

What you can do

Bring a list that includes:

• A detailed description of your symptoms, including what they feel like, when they started and what makes them better or worse.
• Information about past medical issues.
• Information about health issues of your parents or siblings.
• All medicines, vitamins and dietary supplements you take.
• Questions you want to ask.

What to expect from your doctor

Your healthcare professional may ask questions such as:

• What were you doing when the injury occurred?
• Did you hear or feel a pop or snap?
• When did the injury happen?
• What home treatments have you tried?
• Have you ever injured this part of your body before? If so, how?