Strains
A muscle strain injury can occur in any activity or sport...
such as during powerful eccentric muscle actions resulting in tearing of the muscle or tendon (tendon - a fibrous cord of tissue that connects the muscle to a bone) [1-4].
The main purpose of a physical examination is to determine the location and severity of the injury - assisted by earlier findings e.g. history, signs, symptoms and mechanism of injury (1). The severity of a muscle strain are commonly classified according to the amount of pain, weakness, and loss of motion, resulting in grades of I (mild), II (moderate), or III (severe) [5-6].
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It is recommend that a comprehensive range of specific tests / measures (e.g. strength, range of motion (ROM), differential diagnostic tests, palpation, pain) be used during the examination process, at the very least to serve as a baseline from which progress can be monitored following a muscle strain injury [5].
It is imperative that effective early diagnosis and subsequent management for this injury is applied correctly within accordance to evidence based principles. Although MRI is frequently recommended in more severe cases of a muscle strain (such as a hamstring strain) accurate and reliable diagnosis, minor to moderate grade strain injuries can be accurately be diagnosed by using an effective clinical assessment with sound clinical reasoning – with determent or delay to recovery. Thus, MRI should be confined to more severe grade strain injuries (e.g. hamstring strains) to identify potential avulsions and undiagnosed pain.
Three visits to Nick in 3 weeks and to my amazement not only did I make the start line but I ran the 26 miles, non-stop in under 4 hours, without any problems with my calf muscle..
This approach will establish and adopt greater understanding within current practices and thus give the athlete / patient the highest quality and safest optimum care throughout the healing process of rehabilitation.
References
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Stanton, P. E. (1989) Hamstring injuries in sprinting – the role of eccentric exercise. Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy, 10, 343-9.
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Hoskins W., Pollard H. (2005b) Hamstring injury management – part 2: Treatment. Manual Therapy, 10, 180-190.
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Woods, C., Hawkins, R. D., Maltby, S., Hulse, M., Thomas, A. And Hodson, A. (2004) Football Association Medical Research Programme. The Football Association Medical Research Programme: An audit of injuries in professional football – analysis of hamstring injuries. British Journal of Sports Medicine, 38 (1), 36-41.
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Yamamoto, T. (1993) Relationship between hamstring strains and leg muscle strength. A follow up study of collegiate track and field athletes. Journal of Sports Medicine and Physical Fitness 33 (2), 194-199
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Heiderscheit B.C., Sherry M.A., Silder A., Chumanov E.S., & Thelen D.G. (2010). Hamstring for diagnosis strain injuries: Recommendations, injury rehabilitation and prevention. Journal of Orthopaedic & Sports Physical Therapy, 40(2); 67-81.
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Hoskins W., Pollard H. (2005b) Hamstring injury management – part 2: Treatment.