K. S. Marya in Orthopaedics & Joint Replacement | 3 min read 3 Your Clap has been added. Share Link has been copied to the clipboard. Here is the link maxhealthcare.
in/blogs/fit-and-proper-dont-ignore-the-injured-muscle Close Sunil Bagga, 32, was rushing down the stairs of his office to make it in time for a meeting when he twisted his foot. He felt a searing pain, but limped through it. The pain persisted and the foot became red and swollen, but all he did was apply balm.
Key symptoms and patterns
A few days later, the pain became so severe that he was unable to walk. The doctor found Bagga had injured a muscle. The injury had become worse due to neglect. Recovery, he was told, would be a long process. Broken bones, if set and fixed properly, heal so well that they are as strong as before the fracture.
The same is sadly not true for the other component of our musculoskeletal system - the muscle. Muscles are responsible for all the movements of our body. Bones cannot move by themselves. It's the muscles that propel them and enable our body to move and function.
Bones heal by a regenerative process and the healing tissue is identical to the one that existed previously. Muscles heal differently. A muscle tear is often unpredictable and usually happens when the muscle is stretched too quickly.
Common causes and risk factors
Usually this occurs while the muscle is in motion, such as when running, working or participating in some form of physical activity. Muscle injuries are also often poorly diagnosed and inadequately managed. The repair of muscle injury involves two processes.
One is regeneration of the disrupted muscle fibres (myofibres) and the other is formation of connective tissue scar during the process of repair. A balanced progression is a prerequisite for optimal recovery of the contractile function of the muscle.
Muscles do not actually heal with muscle tissue but with "foreign" substances, including collagen. The resulting scar tissue is weaker, less elastic, and highly prone to re-injury. (Scar tissue is formed as part of the normal healing process when we injure our muscles, ligaments and tendons.
Diagnosis and evaluation
It binds and ties down tissues that need to move freely and as the scar tissue builds up, muscles become shorter and weaker). Although a majority of skeletal muscle injuries heal without formation of a disabling functional scar, sometimes this scar may be excessive within the injured muscle.
This would lead to the muscle function being less than before the injury. This might also lead to chronic pain which persist for months - or even years. Once a muscle is damaged, it can become the source of a great deal of pain.
In a complete muscle tear, the torn muscle ends are not in contact and even repair by scarring might not happen, leading to a complete loss of muscle function unless treated properly.
Treatment and self-care
QUICK TIPS Although diagnosis of muscle injury is usually through clinical examination, MRI or ultrasound might be required for a more detailed characterization of the injury. When recovering from a muscle tear, the first thing you need to do is cease the activity that caused it.
The amount of swelling can best be managed early by applying ice packs and maintaining the strained muscle in a stretched position. Compression can be gently applied with an elastic bandage, which can both provide support and decrease swelling.
You need to give your body adequate rest and proper recuperation time to heal it. However, remaining completely sedentary is also not the answer. You should begin to move the joints and the muscle as soon as possible to prevent stiffness, atrophy, and weakness.
Consult Dr. Kumar Deepak in Lucknow
Persistent joint, bone, or muscle symptoms deserve a structured evaluation rather than repeated self-treatment alone.
Dr. Kumar Deepak — M.S. Ortho (Gold Medalist), F.I.J.R | ASAMI | AO Trauma — consults at The OrthoVision Clinic and Remedy Medicity, Lucknow. Call to book an appointment and discuss a plan suited to your activity level.
Frequently Asked Questions
When should I see an orthopaedic specialist instead of waiting?
Seek review if pain lasts more than a few weeks, disturbs sleep, causes limping, or limits work and daily tasks despite rest and simple measures.
Does this information replace an in-person examination?
No. Online guides help you understand options, but diagnosis depends on clinical examination and investigations tailored to your case.
Where can I get orthopaedic care in Lucknow?
Dr. Kumar Deepak sees patients at The OrthoVision Clinic (Ahmamau, Sultanpur Road) and Remedy Medicity, Lucknow.
