Diagnosis | Torn muscle

Diagnosis

The muscle tear is made visible with the help of imaging techniques. This involves ultrasound and nuclear spin examinations. Muscle function tests are also carried out. Very heavy bleeding can lead to complications in the diagnosis.

Therapy

There are several therapy options: Depending on the severity of the injury, different treatments can be given in the first few days. As soon as the patient is free of pain, physiotherapy or PNF can be started. A PNF is a proprioceptive neuromuscular facilitation.

This is a treatment method that aims to restore damaged movement behavior. It is a physiotherapeutic, occupational therapy and speech therapy treatment method. The aim of PNF is to promote the interaction between muscle and nerve, and thus to consolidate a movement pattern.

However, passive stretching of the muscle must not be possible until the 8th week after a muscle tear. Active stretching, provided it is painless, is usually possible earlier. In the case of very serious injuries, an operation is ultimately necessary.

This is particularly indicated for athletes, as the muscle cannot regenerate spontaneously to the same extent without surgery. The torn muscle is virtually sutured back together. The bruise is removed.

The operated muscle must then be immobilized for at least four weeks to ensure good healing. As a rule, however, muscle toning physiotherapy is started immediately after the operation. This is also performed despite a plaster cast.

• Body’s own regeneration: Immediately after a muscle injury, the body’s own regeneration mechanisms begin to work, which are similar to inflammatory reactions. Blood clotting and absorption of blood from the tissue takes place. Since these mechanisms occur immediately after injury, both active and passive movement of the injured muscle should be avoided.

  In the worst case, this could result in further bleeding. The skeletal muscle as such has a high regenerative capacity. During the actual regeneration of the muscle, muscle fibers are formed.

  In addition, scar tissue is also formed, which is less elastic than muscle fibers.During this phase, the muscle is susceptible to further tears and injuries because it has components with different stretching properties.

• Medical care: Since a severe muscle rupture results in heavy bleeding, this bleeding must first be stopped. One follows the so-called PECH rules. PECH stands for the words “RICE ?

  rest – ice- compression- elevation”. The purpose of these rules is to keep the damage to a minimum. To do this, the affected part of the body is first immobilized (PAUSE).

  Sufficient cooling reduces the pain and stops the bleeding (EIS). The cold causes the vessels in the affected tissue to compress. Furthermore, the metabolism in the tissue is slowed down, which minimizes tissue damage.

  A compression bandage can then be applied for further hemostasis (COMPRESSION). Finally, the affected limb is best positioned above heart level to promote blood return (HIGH POSITION). This reduces the pressure in the damaged tissue.

  These measures serve as first aid in the case of muscle rupture, but do not represent a final therapy. They can be carried out by laypersons until medical treatment is given.

• Various drugs are administered for initial treatment, including fibrinolytics and muscle relaxants. Fibrinolytics promote the dissolution of the coagulated blood in the effusion of the torn muscle.

  Muscle relaxants relax the muscle. In addition, anti-inflammatory drugs, so-called anti-inflammatory drugs, are administered.

• For further therapy, functional tape bandages and ointment bandages are used to reduce swelling and stabilize the torn muscle.
• Finally, there is the possibility of electrotherapy.
• After the fourth day, ultrasound therapy can be started. Here, the ultrasound generates quasi small mechanical micro-vibrations in the muscle, which have a massaging and warming effect. Their range is about 8 cm. Such a therapy loosens the muscles and promotes blood circulation, which ultimately promotes regeneration.