Strain

Question 1

Strain

Answer 1

trauma to a mm and/or its tendon from overstretching or violent contraction

Question 2

What produces a greater force on muscle, causing greater risk of straining the muscle

Answer 2

Eccentric Contractions

Question 3

Weakest point of the muscle-tendon unit

Answer 3

Musculotendinous junction and is most common site of strain injuries

Question 4

Causes of Strain

Answer 4

• sudden over stretching
• over contraction against resistance
• overuse/abuse (inadequate warm-up, fatigue, etc.)
• mm’s that cross 2 jts are more often strained than others

Question 5

Severity of a Strain (3 Grades)

Answer 5

Grade 1 (mild)
- minor stretch & tear (<10% fibres damaged) to
musculotendinous unit

Grade 2
- tearing of musculotendinous fibers, varying from several fibres to majority (11%-99% fibres torn)

Grade 3
- complete rupture (100% torn = full thickness) of musculotendinous unit or avulsion fracture

Question 6

Grade 1 Acute - injury & inflammation

Answer 6

• edema & heat minimal/not present, no bruising
• local tenderness & DOMS post activity
• little/no loss of strength/function
• pt can continue activity
• usually self limiting unless there is repeat trauma to an area which can progress into 2&3

Question 7

Grade 2 - acute injury&inflammation

Answer 7

• may be snapping noise/sensation
• mod local edema/heat, hematoma & blue/black/red bruising
• may be palpable gap
• mod tenderness at lesion site
• mod pain w/ activities that contract/stretch
• mod. loss of strength/function

Question 8

Grade 3 - acute injury & inflammation

Answer 8

• snapping noise/sensation
• severe pain at time of injury and then minimal pain afterwatd
• local edema, heat & red/blue/black bruising and hematoma
• gap palpates in tissue
• immediate loss of mm strength & function
• pt cannot continue activity

Question 9

History Questions for Strains

Answer 9

• Audible sounds at time of injury
• Were you able to continue activity post injury

Question 10

Resisted Tests for STRAIN

Answer 10

Weak and painful (relative)

Question 11

Homecare for Strain

Answer 11

• pain-free ROM of surrounding jts
• isometric exercises
• stretching
• pain-free ROM of affected jts
• encourage activity
• supports may be needed
• hydro progresses cold –> warm/cool –> heat or hot/cold

Question 12

CI’s for Strain

Answer 12

• aggressive testing w/ Grade 2/3
• decreasing protective muscle spasms
• no onsite work in acute stages
• meds
• if exaggerated inflammatory response, no distal soft tissue work
• with gr.3 - no direct heat directly proximal to cast