Causes
Within a skeletal muscle, the so-called “sarcomeres” form the smallest structural units. Several of these sarcomeres together form a muscle fibril. These, in turn, combine to form individual myofibrils and muscle fibers, which together form a muscle fiber bundle.
A muscle itself therefore consists of a large number of muscle fiber bundles. The cause of a muscle strain is primarily due to the stretching of the smallest structural units of the muscle (sarcomeres) which exceeds the usual extent. The actual function of the sarcomeres is thus disturbed to such an extent that a contraction cannot take place as usual for the time being.
In contrast to muscle strain, a rupture of a muscle fiber results in the rupture of one or more muscle fibers. The muscle rupture in turn is characterized by the rupture of the entire muscle fiber bundle. The cause of muscle strain is therefore not, as in the case of a torn muscle fiber, damage to individual muscle fibers, but a disturbance of muscle tone.
Furthermore, problems in the area of muscle function regulation can also be the cause of muscle strain. In people who are often active in sports, the cause of the muscle strain is in most cases a rapid change of load or direction during training. Muscles that have not been warmed up and stretched or have not been sufficiently warmed up and stretched before the start of the sports unit cannot withstand these rapid changes in load or direction and are stretched excessively.
The consequence is the development of muscle strain. In addition, inflammatory processes within the body can significantly increase the risk of developing muscle strain. Click here for the article: Pain like sore muscles – what can it be?
Besides the actual strain (type and intensity), other factors can play a decisive role in the development of muscle strain.The most relevant factors in this context are: cool outside temperatures no or too short warm-up training before the sport sporting activity despite fatigue or poor health exhausted muscles due to insufficient regeneration time lack of fluids and/or nutrients (electrolyte deficiency) foot malpositions poorly adapted footwear lack of elasticity of the muscles
- Cool outside temperatures
- No or too short warm-up training before the sport
- Sporting activity despite tiredness or poor health
- Exhausted musculature due to a too short regeneration time
- Lack of liquid and/or nutrients (electrolyte deficiency)
- Foot malpositions
- Badly adapted footwear
- Lack of elasticity of the musculature
A muscle strain is usually announced by sudden, cramp-like pain. This symptom alone is therefore not enough to distinguish a pulled muscle from a torn muscle fibre. Typically, the pain caused by the pulled muscle increases significantly with continued exertion.
This increase in pain only comes to an end when the sporting activity is interrupted. In addition, pure muscle tension, i.e. a lack of change in length of the affected muscle, is one of the typical signs of muscle strain. If the affected muscle is passively stretched further, the discomfort felt by the patient usually decreases significantly.
In addition, the state of tension (muscle tone) in the area of the muscle strain is usually increased. In contrast to torn muscle fibers, simple muscle strain does not damage the individual muscle fibers. For this reason, both diseases can be distinguished from each other quite quickly.
Just like with pulled muscles, the affected patients feel a sudden, cramp-like pain. While in theory, sports activities could theoretically be continued with great pain if a pulled muscle is present, it is practically impossible to continue to exercise the muscle if a torn muscle fiber is present. The natural course of movement is completely disturbed when a torn muscle fiber is present.
For this reason, affected patients usually adopt a relieving posture that relieves the muscle. Just as with a normal muscle strain, the state of tension (muscle tone) is significantly increased in the case of a torn muscle fiber. In contrast to muscle strain, however, passive stretching causes an increase in pain in the case of a torn muscle fiber.
In addition, a visible swelling and/or bruise (haematoma) usually forms in the area of the affected muscle. The typical symptoms of muscle strain include immediate, severe to stabbing pain, swelling, bruising, restricted movement and even immobility at the affected area. These pains usually increase, so that the sporting activity must be stopped.
At the beginning of a muscle strain, all movements can usually still be performed. In the course of time, however, the affected muscle only functions to a limited extent. The complaints begin with a pulling in the muscle, which then turns into pain.
Muscle cramps can also occur. It is important to differentiate this from hardened muscles (= myogeloses). Myogeloses are also painful and can also lead to an interruption of sporting activity.
Muscle hardenings develop as a result of overloading or incorrect strain and are often easy to feel as real knots in the muscles. However, they are well treatable in the context of a physiotherapeutic treatment. The most frequent cause of muscle strain is
- On the inside of the thigh,
- In the calf muscles (calf strain)
- Or in the thigh muscles.