Torn muscle fiber in the lower leg
definition
A torn muscle fiber of the lower leg is usually understood through a traumatic or overloading chronic event induced tear or tear in the muscles of the lower leg. Torn muscle fibers of the lower leg occur straight in the Sports area relatively frequently and are among the most common sports injuries at all.
Causes of the torn muscle fiber in the lower leg
In principle, one can differentiate between two different main causes of muscle fiber tears. The first cause is a sudden traumatic event with a sudden acute tear or tear in the muscles. This acute event occurs when a sudden start or stop movement is made. Acute muscle fiber tears are particularly common in football, handball or basketball, which involve quick turns or sprints.
The second cause of a torn hamstring is chronic in nature. In the case of chronic overload, degenerative processes can suddenly tear or tear through the lower leg muscles with sudden onset of pain. Above all, if incorrect loads have been carried out in the area of the lower leg for years, it can happen that at some point the muscles of the lower leg are so overstrained that they tear through.
Depending on how many muscle bundles are affected, there are more or less severe restrictions on movement in the area of the lower leg. The sudden rupture of a muscle bundle leads to severe to very severe stabbing and burning pain.
Diagnosis of a torn muscle fiber in the lower leg
First and foremost, the diagnosis of a torn muscle fiber is made by questioning the patient about how the accident happened and by performing a physical examination. Imaging diagnostics is usually not necessary in the first step.
The patient is first asked how long the pain in the lower leg has been present, in which situation it occurred, whether movement impairments exist and whether similar complaints have occurred in the past. The examiner then looks at and touches the lower leg. Here muscle cells or bruises would indicate a relatively large tear off of the muscles in the area of the lower leg. Feeling also checks whether the muscles in the area of the lower leg are tender on pressure. The patient may also be asked to walk a few steps or try toe walking, which is no longer possible with a large torn muscle.
If in doubt, a torn muscle fiber can sometimes be diagnosed with an ultrasound scan of the lower leg muscle. A relatively reliable diagnosis by means of imaging is given by performing an MRT examination of the lower leg. In this imaging procedure, muscle tears or tears can be shown quite well. As a rule, however, this diagnostic procedure is only used when the causes of the symptoms are not clear and there are doubts as to whether or not it is a torn muscle fiber of the lower leg.
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Symptoms and signs of a torn muscle fiber in the lower leg
The first symptoms of a torn hamstring are the sudden shooting painwhich spreads burning locally in the area of the calf muscles. The pain can be so severe that the movement just performed has to be acutely stopped. It can too visible bruises come in the area of the tear-off point of the muscle. Furthermore can also small dents in the area of the superficial muscle layer be seen. If many muscle bundles are torn off or torn through, it can also become noticeable Impairment of movement come in the affected muscle. The patient notices that he can suddenly no longer perform movements that he could previously easily perform.
Often a sporting activity is carried out shortly before the muscle fiber tear, e.g. the person concerned starts up quickly or brakes heavily. The then onset acute sting or burning pain The description is almost proof of a torn muscle fiber. Sometimes the area where the hamstring tears may be mild Numbness come in the skin area. Small ones are also relatively common Swellingcaused by the rupture of the muscle causing inflammatory fluid to flow into the tissue surrounding the muscle. However, the swellings are mostly limited to the affected muscle and are rarely visible and palpable in the entire lower leg.
Therapy and treatment of a torn muscle fiber in the lower leg
Therapy for a torn muscle fiber of the lower leg is almost always available conservativei.e. not operational. One thing is important immediate cooling of the affected muscle as soon as there is pain in that area. First of all, you should continue with Sport pausedbut under no circumstances should the leg be left completely immobile.
In orthopedics and trauma surgery, the so-called PECH principle enforced. This is an abbreviation for Sports pausing, Put on the ice pack, Compression treatment and Elevating the leg. Anti-inflammatory drugs, such as Ibuprofen or Diclofenac be taken. In addition to having a pain-relieving effect, these also have an anti-inflammatory effect.
Usually one is enough 1-2 weeks of rest and compression treatment with a bandage and an elevated position from time to time in order to alleviate the symptoms so that the leg can soon be fully loaded again.
Surgical measures are rarely used in the event of a tear or tear in the lower leg muscles. But one would operate if whole strands of muscle would have been torn off by the sports accident and the movement of the lower leg would be impaired to such an extent that this would also have massive effects on the patient's everyday life. During the operation, access to the injured muscle would first have to be created, which would then either be sutured or clipped.
What is important is the one that follows directly physical therapy. Even after a torn muscle fiber that has been treated conservatively, muscle-building physiotherapy should soon follow in order to restore the normal strengthening of the affected muscle sections.
Please also read our general page Therapy of a torn muscle fiber.
Taping of a torn muscle fiber in the lower leg
Today, in orthopedics and / or trauma surgery, treatments of torn muscle fibers in the form of a Tapings carried out. Here, an elastic, self-adhesive tape is stuck to the affected muscle. The exact effect of the tape, which is also called Kinesio tape is called, is still not fully clarified. It is assumed, however, that the force acting on the injured muscle is diverted by the kinesio tape and thus ensures that the affected muscle is removed relieved becomes.
The important thing is that the tape doesn't in tense form is glued to the muscle. There are also different techniques for applying kinesio tape. In addition to the actual muscle injury, there is also the question of whether there are other muscles in addition to the injured muscle Laterally lying muscles, annoy or Lymphatic pathways must also be treated in order to decide which adhesive technique to use.
After applying the tape, the patient should save one light, pleasant feeling of pressure do not express any new pain. If he does, the kinesiotape must be re-applied and its position may have to be changed.
Kinesio tapes can do very well as an accompanying treatment for a few days to weeks be left over the injured muscle.
Please also read our page Taping a torn hamstring.
Torn muscle fiber in the rear lower leg
The calf muscles are particularly often affected by torn muscle fibers in the rear lower leg. The main reason is that there are muscles in it that are involved in many movements. With the classic sudden stopping movement or the starting movement, the muscles in the area of the lower leg are suddenly torn or torn.
The person concerned usually feels an acute and sudden pain that can be so severe that the usual movement has to be broken off. The rear lower leg muscles often begin to swell and sometimes even bruises become visible.
Treatment of a torn muscle fiber in the lower leg muscles is the same as for other muscle groups. Immediate cooling of the lower leg is most effective. Then the leg should be spared, compressed and elevated. Anti-inflammatory pain relievers can help make the symptoms go away faster.
Read more about this on our website Torn muscle fiber in the calf, pain in the back of the thigh
Torn muscle fiber on the shin
Torn muscle fibers in the shin area are relatively rare. The main reason for this is that there is only a very thin layer of muscle above the shin, but that is no motor tasks takes over. Mostly areas that are significantly involved in movement are affected by fiber tears in the lower leg. In the area of the lower leg, this would mainly be the Calf muscles and the lateral muscles of the lower leg.
Often there is a torn muscle fiber in the area of the tibia not noticed at all and also undiagnosed. In many cases, treatment does not have to be carried out at all, as the pain will subside on its own after a few days. Because of the position and function of the thin muscle plate above the shin, impaired movement is not to be expected.
Duration of a torn muscle fiber in the lower leg
The duration of a muscle fiber tear depends on how many areas of the muscle are torn or torn. On the one hand, the larger the injuries, the more intensively a torn muscle has to be treated and the longer it takes to recover. With severe muscular injuries, a recovery time of approx. 1-6 weeks must be assumed. It is also important how consistently the leg is protected. Rest, immediate and regular cooling and elevated storage can reduce the illness time to a few days to a maximum of a week.
Read more about this on our website Duration of a muscle fiber tear.
