How Does The Healing Process Work For Muscle Tears?

Muscle strains or tears are common conditions that we see here in the clinic. If it does happen to you, it is essential that you understand what has happened and what will happen to ensure the best healing possible.

Let’s discuss three simple healing stages and the rehab needs for each stage:

Stage 1- Day 1-5 (approximately)

This is the the initial stage of a muscle strain/tear and the following changes can be seen:

  • Inflammation/ swelling – inflammation is entirely natural and is an essential part of the healing process. The not so good bit is that due to the increase in pressure the fluid causes, it makes things really quite painful.
  • Remember at this stage, RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)

 

Stage 2- Day 3-21 (approximately)

In stage two, the following changes will be happening in the injured muscle:

 

  • Scar tissue is laid down to repair the tear/strain in the muscle tissue. This healing isn’t particularly strong nor functional as it is not as stretchy and responsive but it is what the body needs to do to enable repairing and healing to take place.
  • At this stage, provided it is not too painful, light exercises are needed to help the scar tissue to adapt.  These could be stretches, weight bearing and massage.

 

Stage 3- Day 21- onwards 

This is the final stage and the following changes will be happening:

  • As movement and exercise are being re-introduced and increased, the scar tissue will start to adapt and be more functional and stronger.
  • Scar tissue will never be as strong as the original muscle but with the correct rehabilitation and sports therapy the tissues should gain a full range of movement, however, the muscle will still be at risk of further repeated injury if not managed correctly.

With any muscle tear or strain, there is no ‘quick fix’ and it cannot be over emphasised the importance of ‘RICE’ in the first stage of the injury followed by professional sports therapy or physiotherapy.

 

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