Signs and Symptoms
A strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon (a tendon attaches a muscle to a bone). It occurs because of excessive tension or force to the muscle or tendon unit. Common muscles affected are the hamstrings, quadriceps and calf muscle.
Strains are classed in three grades:
- Grade 1 – An overstretching injury involving a small number of muscles fibres. It causes localised pain but no loss of strength.
- Grade 2 – A partial tear of the muscle with pain and swelling. Strength is reduced.
- Grade 3 – A complete rupture of the tendon or muscle. This may require a surgical referral. This most commonly occurs in the calf muscle.
Our Treatment & Expertise
At Bray Physiotherapy, we aim to return the patient to full function, enhancing and accelerating the body’s natural healing abilities. Treatment varies depending on the grade of injury, however, R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) protects the injury for the first 48 hours.
Once settled we will commence treatment to promote healing and the formation of scar tissue by the use of massage, electrotherapy or acupuncture. You will be given gentle stretching and strengthening exercises to promote healing of the tissues. Your personalised rehabilitation programme will be sport and function specific thus enabling a return to full strength.