Symptoms
The symptoms of a torn muscle fibre in the abdomen are similar to those of other muscle injuries. There is a sudden pain in the abdomen, but most of those affected can correctly localize it in the musculature and it is not felt as usual abdominal pain. The pain is motion-dependent and decreases as soon as the corresponding muscle is immobilized.Patients describe the pain of a ruptured muscle fiber as very intense, sharp and persistent because the abdominal muscles participate in most movements of the body.
For example, pain can occur when breathing. Because the abdominal muscles are arranged in pairs, the pain symptoms are usually one-sided. The exact localization of the pain also provides information about which muscle area (straight or oblique abdominal muscles) is affected.
Diagnosis
In case of suspected rupture of muscle fibers in the abdominal muscles, a definitive diagnosis is sometimes not so easy. It is essential that the person affected reports to the treating physician about the situation in which the pain first occurred. The detailed questioning of the patient helps the doctor to get an idea of the injury and to draw conclusions about the affected muscles.
Next, the abdomen can be examined by the doctor. In doing so, the doctor pays attention to the classic signs of a torn muscle fiber: swelling and redness, bumps, dents and bruises. Particularly noticeable is the pressure pain of the abdominal muscles.
Ultrasound is the most commonly used imaging technique. It is particularly well suited for soft tissue and can image defects in the musculature easily and in a patient-friendly manner. For complex injuries, MRI imaging can also be considered, but this is not recommended for pregnant women due to the lack of available studies.
The abdominal musculature consists of different parts: From the oblique and from the straight muscle parts. The oblique abdominal muscles run in different layers on the side of the abdomen. The oblique muscles are mainly used for lateral movements.
If, for example, a stroke is made in tennis, in which the upper body is rotated strongly, this can lead to damage if it is not warmed up enough or if too much force is applied. The straight muscles, on the other hand, run on the abdomen, with the navel forming the center point. In a trained state it forms the so-called six-pack.
When raising the upper body or lifting the legs from a lying position, the straight abdominal muscles are most stressed. The muscle areas are therefore tensed to varying degrees during various movements and can therefore be injured even when isolated from each other. This results in a specifically localized pain, which provides information about the muscle affected by the torn fiber.