When muscles suddenly contract or when they stretch unusually far or abruptly or if you slip or lift something in an awkward position, you may cause a muscle to become strained or “pulled”. Muscle strain may be mild and last a few days, or moderate causing small muscle tears and more extensive pain, swelling and bruising.
The pain may last one to three weeks. Or, it could be severe where the muscle becomes torn apart or ruptured with significant internal bleeding, swelling and bruising around the muscle. In this case seek medical attention immediately.
What can you do
n Protect: use an elastic wrap, a sling, splint, cane, crutches or an air cast to give it adequate support. Do not put weight on the injured limb.
n Rest: avoid activities that cause pain. This will promote tissue healing and quicken recovery.
n Use: a cold compress/ice pack for about 15 minutes for it to be effective. Repeat every two to three hours during the first 48 to 72 hours. If a tear has occurred, it will also help slow the bleeding.
n Wrap: the injured limb in an elastic bandage. However, take care not to wrap too tightly. An extra tight bandage can easily hinder circulation. Loosen the bandage if the pain worsens, the affected area begins to feel numb or if the swelling below the wrapped area gets worse.
n Elevate: the limb above your heart, especially at night. After 48 hours, if the swelling is gone, you may apply warmth or gentle heat. Heat can improve the blood flow and speed healing.
n Take: over-the-counter analgesic medications — paracetamol, aspirin, ibuprofen. These can help alleviate the pain. However, it may be best to avoid aspirin in the first few hours of the injury since aspirin may worsen the bleeding. Don’t give aspirin to children.
When to seek help
n If the injured area is intensely painful and/or swells up severely
n If you suspect a ruptured muscle or broken bone
n If the pain, swelling and stiffness do not show signs of improvement within the next two to three days.
The author is Senior Specialist, Safdarjung Hospital and Professor,
VM Medical College and a well-known columnist