How to manage a muscle injury?

Muscle injuries, also called “strains” or “muscle tears”, are very common among athletes, but not always well managed.

Martin Ducret, doctor and journalist at Doctor’s Daily, talks to us today about muscle damage. These injuries are commonly called “strains” or “muscle tears”.

franceinfo: These very common injuries among athletes are not always well taken care of?

Martin Ducret: Yes, a muscle injury corresponds to damage to the fibers of a muscle mainly located in the thigh (hamstrings or quadriceps muscles) or the calf (gastrocnemius). In practice, muscle damage occurs following intense sporting effort, often without taking any impact. The patient will feel a sharp pain, sometimes like a stabbing or snapping sensation, in a muscle.

The severity of the injury varies. When there is a tear of a few muscle fibers, without bleeding, it is a strain. When the tear is more significant with bleeding which can lead to the appearance of a hematoma, it is called a breakdown. Finally, when there is a total tear of the muscle, it is a muscle rupture. The hematoma is usually large and the muscle deformed.

What should you do in case of muscle injury?

You have to stop your effort and get some rest. Above all, do not massage the injured area but rather surround it with a pressure bandage (without tightening too much) to reduce edema and the formation of a hematoma. You can also elevate the leg to limit swelling.

To relieve the pain, take paracetamol and apply a bag filled with ice to the affected muscle. On the other hand, we avoid aspirin which risks increasing possible bleeding and anti-inflammatories, such as ibuprofen, which slow down muscle regeneration.

You must then quickly consult a doctor if possible – ideally a sports doctor – who will examine you, and prescribe an ultrasound or an MRI, to precisely visualize the muscle lesion.

And then what is the treatment?

In the event of a significant hematoma in the muscle, it is necessary to puncture it using a needle. In certain cases of muscle rupture, surgical treatment is essential. But fortunately, for the vast majority of muscle injuries, there is no need for surgery.

The healing of the lesion, the duration of which varies – from several weeks to several months depending on its severity – requires, to be optimal, first rest, then carrying out rehabilitation sessions with a physiotherapist, in order to guide the healing. , and to allow a return to sports practice in good conditions, and thus avoid the occurrence of recurrence.