Content

• Steps
• Method 1 of 3: Treating minor muscle injuries
• Method 2 of 3: Using pain medications
• Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Care
• Tips
• Warnings

Muscle injuries are common, especially in people who exercise. During sports, it is very easy to overexert and injure a muscle or pull on ligaments. If you or your children play sports, you have probably experienced some form of first aid for yourself or them. Usually minor injuries can be healed at home with basic first aid supplies, but for more serious injuries it is best to see a doctor.

Attention:the information in this article is for informational purposes only. Consult your healthcare professional before using any medications or treatments.

Steps

Method 1 of 3: Treating minor muscle injuries

1. 1 Keep the muscle at rest. Grade 1 (sprain) and grade 2 (muscle fiber rupture) muscle injuries usually do not require medical attention. They can be healed with rest, ice, compression bandages, and elevating the injured area to reduce swelling. But the first step is exactly peace.
   • Take a break from physical activity until the muscle begins to work painlessly. Avoid physical activity completely until you get stronger from the injury. This period usually takes no more than two weeks. If significant pain persists for more than two weeks, make an appointment with a traumatologist or surgeon.
   • Minor muscle injuries do not prevent a person from walking and moving their arms. If you are unable to do this, the injury may be more serious. In this case, you should consult a doctor.
2. 2 Apply ice to the injured area. To make a cold compress, you can take a bag of crushed ice (or ice cubes) or just a pack of frozen vegetables. Pre-wrap the ice in a napkin or thin towel. Apply an ice pack to the injured area for 15–20 minutes every two hours for the first couple of days after the injury.
   • Ice will help reduce internal bleeding (hematoma), swelling, inflammation, and discomfort.
3. 3 Apply a compression bandage. A compression bandage can be applied to the injured area for additional protection for the first 48–72 hours. The bandage should be tight, but not too tight.
   • To apply a compression bandage, start wrapping an elastic bandage around the part of the injured area farthest from the heart and move towards the body. For example, if you injured your biceps, start bandaging the area from the elbow and work your way up to the armpit.If you injure your lower ankle, start bandaging the leg from the ankle and work your way up to the knee.
   • Make sure you can slip two fingers under the bandage. Remove the compression bandage if you notice signs of circulatory problems such as numbness, tingling, or pale skin.
   • Compression bandage helps to protect the injured area from additional damage.
4. 4 Raise the injured limb. To reduce swelling from the injury, the injured limb can be raised higher. Lie down and place some pillows under the affected arm or leg. Try to get into a comfortable position while doing this.
   • If you are unable to lift the injured area above the level of your heart, at least try to keep it parallel to the ground.
   • If you feel a strong throbbing in the area of ​​injury, try to raise the affected limb even higher.
5. 5 Avoid anything that could make your injury worse. In the first 72 hours after an injury, it is important to avoid certain things that can make the injury worse. Discard the following:
   • heat (do not use a heating pad or take hot baths);
   • alcohol (do not drink alcoholic beverages, as they can increase bleeding and swelling, as well as increase the recovery period);
   • running (do not run or engage in any other physical activity that can aggravate the injury);
   • massage (do not massage the injured area, as massage may increase bleeding and swelling).
6. 6 Eat well to help repair the injured muscle. Eat foods rich in vitamins A and C, omega-3 fatty acids, zinc, antioxidants, and proteins to speed up the recovery process. It is useful to consume the following types of foods: citrus fruits, sweet potatoes, blueberries, chicken, walnuts, and the like.

Method 2 of 3: Using pain medications

1. 1 Take paracetamol for the first two days. It is recommended to take paracetamol for the first two days after muscle injury - this drug does not increase bleeding. After two days, you can switch to non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen or naproxen.
2. 2 Take anti-inflammatory drugs for a short period. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs can help you repair damaged muscles. Take the recommended doses of ibuprofen or aspirin within 3-7 days of your injury. Do not use these products for long periods of time, or they may cause persistent side effects, such as upset stomach.
   • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can relieve pain, but can also stop certain phases of the body's chemical reactions that are important for long-term recovery. Many doctors recommend starting anti-inflammatories within 48 hours of injury.
   • Take ibuprofen or naproxen with food with a glass of water to avoid unwanted side effects such as stomach ulcers. Be careful if you have asthma, as anti-inflammatories can trigger an attack.
3. 3 Ask your doctor to prescribe an anesthetic cream for you. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in the form of a cream are rubbed into the skin in the area of ​​the injured muscle. They have a local effect, relieving pain and swelling from injured tissues.
   • Apply the ointment only to the injured area and use as directed by your doctor.
   • Remember to wash your hands immediately after applying ointment to the injured area.
4. 4 If you experience severe pain, ask for a prescription pain reliever. If you have a serious injury, it can be accompanied by severe pain. If this is the case, your doctor will likely prescribe you a prescription pain reliever, such as codeine.
   • Be aware that these drugs can be addictive and have a significantly greater effect than over-the-counter drugs. Strictly follow the dosage indicated by your doctor.

Method 3 of 3: Seeking Medical Care

1. 1 See your doctor for a diagnosis. Many minor muscle injuries can be healed on their own. However, it can be difficult to assess the severity of an injury without the intervention of a doctor. If you are in pain, you can hardly use the injured limb, and there is an extensive bruise and severe swelling in the sore spot, it is better to see a doctor so that he can give you the correct diagnosis.
   • The doctor will perform an external physical examination of the injury and prescribe necessary diagnostic procedures, such as X-rays or MRIs. The results of these studies will allow the doctor to rule out more serious injuries, including bone fractures, and to assess the degree of damage to muscle fibers.
   • Depending on how serious your injury is, your doctor may use a splint or brace to immobilize your limb while you recover.
2. 2 Ask your doctor about physical therapy procedures. Physiotherapy can also be helpful for severe muscle tears. Physiotherapy procedures will help the muscle fibers grow together correctly and subsequently regain their former strength.
   • Physiotherapy treatments may include studying and doing specific exercises prescribed by your doctor. These exercises will help you to safely strengthen the muscles and increase the mobility of the injured limb.
3. 3 See your doctor to rule out other possible health problems. Some problems can be associated with muscle injuries, but they are much more serious. If you suspect you have any of the following conditions, see your doctor immediately.
   • Prolonged Compression Syndrome... If you experience severe pain combined with numbness and tingling in an extremity that turns pale and feels some tension, seek immediate medical attention. Compression syndrome is a very serious orthopedic problem that requires immediate surgical intervention in the next few hours after the injury. Delay may result in the need to amputate a limb. If you have any of the symptoms of this syndrome, it is very important to tell your doctor right away. An internal hematoma can put additional pressure on blood vessels and nerves in tissues. In this case, as the pressure increases, blood circulation begins to be disrupted.
   • Achilles tendon rupture... The Achilles tendon is located on the back of the ankle and lower leg. It can tear as a result of strenuous exercise, especially in men over the age of 30. If you have pain in the back of your ankle, especially when you try to pull it, you may have torn your Achilles tendon. This condition requires complete immobilization of the limb with an extended toe.
4. 4 Seek medical attention for a third-degree muscle injury (rupture). If you have completely severed a muscle, then you will not be able to move the injured limb. In this case, you should seek medical help as soon as possible.
   • The specific treatment and recovery period will depend on the severity of the injury and the location of the rupture. For example, a complete rupture of the biceps requires surgery, and the subsequent recovery period is 4-6 months. On the other hand, partial muscle fiber breaks usually heal in three to six weeks.
   • Depending on the type of muscle tear, you may need additional advice from an orthopedist or other specialized specialist.
5. 5 Discuss surgical options for muscle tears. In some cases, surgery is the only treatment for torn muscles or ligaments. Ask your doctor about possible alternatives if they recommend surgical treatment for your injury.
   • Cases requiring surgical repair of a torn muscle are rare. This treatment may be recommended if you are a professional athlete, as without surgery you may not be able to recover to a normal baseline condition.
6. 6 Follow your doctor's recommendations. Most likely, the doctor will prescribe you another appointment after a while. The specialist needs to make sure that your injury is healing properly. Be sure to visit your doctor at the appointed time.
   • If you do not feel improvement or your condition worsens, see your doctor without waiting for the appointed day of appointment.

Tips

• If you are serious about sports, try to see a doctor, even with minor injuries. Your doctor may advise you on how to recover from your injury as quickly as possible so that you can return to your regular exercise routine as soon as possible.

Warnings

• If you have reason to suspect you have long-term compression syndrome, see your doctor immediately. If this is not done, you risk losing an arm or a leg.