Must muscle in on sports injuries

By Lt Genevieve Liebich
2HSB
Muscle strains or tears are one of the more common injuries in the ADF, due to high intensity training and participation in sports.

They are injuries poorly understood by members and patients.

I hope to educate members on the pathology of muscle strains and the importance of early treatment, in order to facilitate an early return to normal duties and sporting activities.

“Muscles are strained or torn when some or all of the fibres fail to cope with the demands placed upon them” (Brukner and Khan, 2001). Muscle strains usually occur during sudden acceleration or deceleration, for example, sprinting in a touch football game. The hamstrings, quadriceps and calf muscles are the most common muscles to be affected.

Muscle strains are classified in three grades.

When only a small number of fibres are involved and there is no loss of muscle strength, it is classed as a grade one strain.

The discomfort is usually localised to a specific area in the muscle.

In a grade two strain, a significant number of muscle fibres are disrupted, resulting in pain and swelling in the muscle.

There is a reduction in muscle strength and pain with any stretch or contraction of that specific muscle.

A grade three strain is a complete tear in the muscle.

There is marked pain and swelling in the affected area and often you can feel a gap in the muscle where the muscle fibres have separated. This usually occurs where the muscle joins the tendon.

Some common factors that predispose muscles to strains are:

Effective management of muscle strains initially requires efficient first aid management, i.e. on-the-spot treatment.

The main aims for first aid management are to stop the bleeding and minimise swelling.

I am sure that everybody knows to follow the RICE regime, which involves Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. Members also need to follow the NO HARM regime.

This regime involves NO Heat, Alcohol, Running (exercise) and Massage for at least the first 48 hours, as this can cause further tissue damage and swelling.

Physiotherapy management is aimed at promoting good scar formation, as well as maintaining or regaining normal flexibility.

This will prevent further injury or recurrence of the same injury.

This is achieved by soft tissue massage, stretching, a progressive muscle strengthening program and gradual return to activity when pain allows.

It is important to remember that early management and prevention of muscle shortening due to poor scar formation reduces the recovery time and time away from work and sports.