How Serious Is a Strained Muscle?

Many of us have pulled a muscle before. It hurts, and it limits our mobility for much longer than we’d like for it to.

Not all muscle strains are the same, though, and our AFC Urgent Care Clemson team further elaborates on this below!

What Is a Muscle Strain?

A muscle strain is the same thing as a “pulled muscle,” and is the stretching or tearing of muscle fibers. Most muscle strains happen because the muscle has been stretched beyond its limits, or it has been forced to contract too strongly.

In mild cases, only a few muscle fibers are stretched or torn, but in severe cases, the strained muscle may be torn and unable to function properly. If you aren’t sure if the symptoms you’re experiencing are signs of a strained muscle, check out the list of common symptoms that we’ve provided below.

Muscle Strain Symptoms

  • Sudden onset of pain
  • Soreness
  • Limited range of movement
  • Bruising or discoloration
  • Swelling
  • A “knotted-up” feeling
  • Muscle spasms
  • Stiffness
  • Weakness

How Necessary Is Medical Care for a Muscle Strain?

Most muscle strains won’t need medical care and will get better on their own. If you experienced severe pain or a “popping” sound when you strained your muscle, however, medical care may be necessary to help your muscle properly recover.

Even if your strain is serious, and is a grade three strain on our list below, make sure to practice the RICE formula (rest, ice, compression, elevation) before heading to our AFC center to get treatment to do your best to lessen the symptoms of the strain.

Muscle Strain Grades

  • Grade 1—This is a mild strain, with only a few muscle fibers being stretched or torn. Although the injured muscle is tender and painful, it has normal strength.
  • Grade 2—This is a moderate strain, with a greater number of injured fibers and more severe muscle pain and tenderness. There is also mild swelling, noticeable loss of strength and sometimes a bruise.
  • Grade 3—This serious strain tears the muscle all the way through, sometimes causing a “pop” sensation as the muscle rips into two separate pieces or shears away from its specific tendon. If you experience this sensation, seek emergency medical care.

Have you pulled a muscle? Our AFC Urgent Care Clemson can help, so don’t hesitate to visit us!