Duration | Torn muscle fibre

Duration

A torn muscle fibre is particularly common among athletes, especially in soccer, ballet or weight training. In the case of a torn muscle fiber, as the name suggests, individual muscle fibers rupture. The reason for this can be too much strain or too much force.Depending on the severity of the muscle fiber rupture, the duration also varies.

Small ruptures of muscle fibers occur repeatedly and are hardly associated with pain. The patient may notice a slight pulling or a short stabbing pain, which then quickly disappears. Such muscle fiber tears have a rather short duration.

Although it takes quite a long time for the damaged muscles to regenerate, because the torn muscle fiber is so small, it can be compensated by the surrounding muscle fibers that are still intact and the patient has neither pain nor functional limitations. However, the situation is different with a larger muscle fiber rupture. In this case, there is severe pain and swelling, often with bleeding in the area of the injury.

In this case, the healing time of the rupture is much longer and, above all, it is associated with much greater circumstances. In general, it can be said that the time until complete healing of a ruptured muscle fiber depends on the localization and the severity of the rupture. However, the most important thing is to cool the torn muscle fiber sufficiently directly after the injury and to protect it absolutely afterwards.

This is particularly difficult for the legs, but also for the arm muscles, but is of decisive importance for the healing process and thus for the duration of the injury. In general, one should expect a muscle fiber rupture to last between 3-6 weeks. During this time, the affected muscle should be loaded as little as possible.

However, many athletes try to shorten the duration of the rupture by taping the affected muscle. By this technique, the tape takes over the function of the muscle to a certain extent and thus relieves it more. This supports the healing process.

Nevertheless, it should be said that it is important to adhere to the duration of the sports leave prescribed by the doctor, as otherwise a new rupture of the muscle fiber will occur again and again and much faster and the muscle will not heal properly. As with most diseases, the therapy for a torn muscle fiber depends on the severity of the injury. It is important, however, to stop all sports activities immediately and take a break in case of a torn muscle fiber.

The treatment of a torn muscle fiber is based on the so-called PECH scheme. The so-called PECH rule is the abbreviation for the sequence of treatment steps in the first aid treatment of a torn muscle fiber: break – ice – compression – elevation. Pause means that any sports activity must be stopped immediately.

Then the affected muscle should be cooled, an elastic compression bandage applied to combat the swelling and the injured area elevated. However, in the case of a torn muscle fiber, it is usually unavoidable that sports activities must be stopped for a longer period of time even after the immediate measures of the PECH rule. The complete regeneration of a ruptured muscle fiber can take from a few weeks to several months, and a break in training should be observed during this time.

How long the break lasts should be decided by a doctor and depends on various factors. The healing process of the injured muscle depends, among other things, on the age of the affected person and the exact location of the torn muscle fiber. If the sports break is not observed and the muscle is strained too early, consequential damage may occur under certain circumstances.

Calcifications in the musculature or a complete muscle rupture may occur. As a rule, the break should be observed as long as acute complaints are still being felt in the affected muscle. After the training break, you should start with a careful load and make sure that you do not train beyond the pain.

For example, sports such as cycling or swimming are suitable for a slow start to training. Fast and jerky movements, on the other hand, should be avoided (e.g. soccer, volleyball, tennis), as they risk serious injuries. It is recommended to increase the load slowly and steadily depending on your own pain perception.

The break can be ended when no pain is felt and there is complete freedom from pain. Only at this point can the muscle be expected to resume its usual sporting activities. Already the immediately initiated initial treatment (including a break from any sporting activity) plays a central role in the muscle fiber rupture therapy.In addition, even the initial treatment has a great influence on the duration of the healing process and the development of any persistent secondary damage. If an appropriate initial treatment is not given, there is a risk of bleeding into the muscle mass from injured vessels. The resulting hematomas (bruises) within the muscle can induce the formation of scar tissue and thus impede the natural course of movement and significantly reduce resilience.