Tendon and Muscle Strains

Strains are one of our specialties at OrthoCarolina. Whether you have damage to your muscle or the tissue surrounding it, we’re here to provide care, preventative measures, and recovery from muscle strains whether it was from playing sports on your school’s team, going too hard at a weekend pickup game, or any of your day-to-day activities.

What are Strains? 

Muscle strains are when your muscle or tendon (the tissue connecting muscle to bone) stretches or tears. Strains can occur slowly over time, or can happen from an isolated event. 

Specialists sort strains into three categories: 

Grade 1: Mild damage to individual muscle fibers that result in minimal loss of strength and range of motion

Grade 2: More extensive damage with several or many muscle fibers involved

Grade 3: Complete rupture of a muscle or tendon

While you may be able to identify the symptoms of a strain, seeking diagnosis from a medical practitioner who specializes in orthopedic injuries like strains is the best way to ensure you treat your muscle or tendons correctly, and can get back to your normal level of activity without any pain or further damage. Strains typically don’t require surgery, just care and management. Proper treatment from the get go is the best way to maintain the integrity of your muscles, and longevity of your physical abilities.

What Causes Strains in Muscles and Tendons? 

High impact activities like sports are common causes of sprains and pain throughout your musculoskeletal system, but everyday activities like typing on your computer, playing games, or simply moving your body in the wrong way can cause muscle strains. 

Strains of your muscles or connective tissues are common in any individual engaged in activities that require repetitive movements. This includes: 

• Typing at a computer
• Frequent use of a controller with gaming
• Lifting heavy objects
• Playing sports involving repetitive motions

Degenerative Muscle Strains vs. Acute Muscle Strains

Degenerative strains are from overuse and improper rest for certain areas of your body. This activity results in the wear and tear of muscles and connective tissue over time, and could lead to a strain or further injury, due to compromises in your muscles and tissue.

Acute strains occur from a specific, isolated incident. This might happen when you spread your legs too far while guarding in basketball, or fall a certain way while running. Acute strains aren’t just for athletes though–anyone pushing their muscles and the surrounding tissue past their comfort levels could suffer from a strain.

OrthoCarolina believes in prevention first–proper care before and after certain activities, and rest are the best way to prevent strains. If you believe you may have suffered from a strain, whether it occurred over time or during an accident, make an appointment at one of our clinics, and our orthopedic specialists will help develop a treatment and recovery plan that gets you back to your regular activities.

When to Seek Medical Attention for Strains

While most people know that broken bones and sprained ankles or wrists require medical attention, it’s common to let strains go without treatment. It’s true that many people can live with a strain, avoiding medical care for these types of injuries can lead to further complications, and eventually you’ll be missing out on your favorite weekend activities or chosen sport.

Some of the reasons to seek medical care for muscle strains include: 

• Accurate Diagnosis. Seeking professional care is vital for accurate diagnosis and understanding the underlying cause of your musculoskeletal pain. OrthoCarolina's orthopedic clinicians are skilled in assessing and diagnosing degenerative injuries and acute injuries, utilizing advanced diagnostic techniques to identify the source of your pain.
• Tailored Treatment and Management. Our orthopedic clinics provide personalized treatment plans designed to address your specific condition and alleviate pain. Depending on the severity and nature of your strain or chronic pain, treatment may include physical therapy, medication, injections, or other non-operative procedures.
• Expertise in Rehabilitation. OrthoCarolina's experienced physical therapists and occupational therapists play a crucial role in the rehabilitation process. They create customized exercise programs, provide guidance on injury prevention, and support your journey to recovery, focusing on restoring functionality and improving your overall well-being.