One of the most recurring injuries in the world of sports is fibrillar rupture, although cases can also occur in people who lead a sedentary lifestyle. It is also known as muscle rupture or tear, since we are talking about the rupture of several fibers that make up the muscle.
Depending on the depth and the number of broken fibers, the severity will have a different level and the recovery will also vary in time.
What exactly?
A fibrillar tear is the tearing of the fibers of a muscle that generates sudden pain, usually as a result of a pronounced contraction or violent stretching. It tends to appear more frequently in people who practice sports on a regular basis, occurring especially in the back and the hamstring and calf muscles.
How to identify the symptoms?
Muscle tear causes sudden sharp pain that is very easy to identify, accompanied by the inability to move the muscle. There is often a feeling of weakness and swelling as well, although each level of severity presents different symptoms.
First grade
It is the most common and is considered mild. The area is sensitive and, although painful, it allows a recovery of approximately one week.
Second grade
In this case it is usually accompanied by an intramuscular hematoma, since a large number of fibers and a vessel have been broken. The bruise does not appear immediately, but can take hours or days. Normally, you have difficulty moving the muscle and require rest for at least two weeks for full recovery.
Third degree
It is the most serious break. It is identified by very intense pain as a result of the total rupture of the fibers. The muscle is no longer able to function fully and surgery will most likely be needed to sew the muscle together. In this case, the recovery is slower and takes between three and five weeks to its normal condition.
Which are the risk factors?
- A violent contraction or stretching (elongation) of the muscle.
- An excessive load on the muscle when it is fatigued or we have not previously warmed up. Cases can also occur in people who have Shoelaces.
- Having had an injury recently and not having finished the recovery correctly.
- A hit or a fall.
- People who are sedentary and who do not exercise regularly can suffer a tear when starting to practice some physical activity due to overexertion to the muscle.
- Incorrect nutrition, since the fibers are weak and become finer and more fragile.
- Cardiovascular diseases, such as diabetes.
Is there treatment?
The best way to recover from a muscle tear is repose. Furthermore, the application of cold on the affected area (ice or a cold compress, for a maximum of 10 minutes). Then you can place a compression bandage that surrounds the muscle for 20 minutes, but it is preferable for a physiotherapist to set the intensity so as not to push too hard and make the situation worse.
After about three or four days, some experts recommend applying thermotherapy to increase the dilation of blood vessels in the affected muscle. After the days planned for recovery, the patient can continue leading his normal life, without making too much effort and training without load.
If the treatment established by the doctor or rehabilitator is not followed, it is possible that a intramuscular ossification. This appears when a bruise is generated next to the break. By taking anti-inflammatories you could avoid this added problem.