Muscle tear
About Muscle tear
A tear in a muscle. Any muscle in the body can be torn and the most common cause is an injury that stretches the muscle suddenly. A direct blow to the muscle can also cause a tear of the muscle. Most of these injuries will heal on their own with simple splinting. If there is an associated ligament or tendon damage then surgery may be needed.Symptoms
Pain, swelling, decreased movement, bruising (hematoma), pain with movement.Tests & Diagnostics
A history and physical will be done. Sometimes an x-ray is performed to identify a broken bone. A MRI is the only study that show damage to the muscle, ligaments and tendons.Common tests: MRI, X-ray.
OTC sleep aids and supportive treatments
Prescription medications
Conventional treatment summary
Most of these injuries will heal on their own with splinting of the affected area. If there is a great deal of muscle damage, or associated tendon or ligament injury surgery may be needed. Pain medications and non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications may be prescribed.Medical specialties
Internal Medicine · Pediatrics · Family Practice · Sports Medicine · Pediatric Sports Medicine
This page is educational content, not medical advice. Always consult a qualified clinician for diagnosis and treatment of Muscle tear.