How dangerous thigh muscle injury?

If the thigh muscle is seriously damaged, torn or broken muscle will hear the sound "phut", severe pain, loss of function, requiring hospitalization.

Toss of the posterior thigh muscle is one of the common injuries in muscle strains . Muscle tension is a condition where the muscles are stretched excessively or even partially or completely torn, often occurring during intense physical activity and sports. All muscles can be injured, but most often are the thigh, lumbar and neck muscles. When the injury is minor, we may only need to rest for a while, but if the injury is severe, torn or completely broken, hospitalization for treatment, even surgery, is necessary.

Tension injury is divided into 3 levels. The injury is mild, with only a few muscle fibers stretched or broken. Although the injury is painful, the strength of that muscle mass is guaranteed. Treatment only needs rest and prognosis is very good, recover quickly. Moderate injury, a relatively large number of muscle fibers are broken, muscle mass is reduced but the pain is moderate, the patient can still move. The most serious injury, the whole muscle mass is broken, sometimes we still hear the "phut" due to the broken muscle, even touching the "concave line" created by the broken muscle. Patients with intense pain, bruising and hematoma, complete loss of function of the motor region governed by that muscle.

3-level thigh muscle injury.From left to right: minor, moderate, most severe injuries.(Photo: Doctor provided).

Signs to think about when tensioning, is after a collision or accident, when a certain area of ​​the muscle appears one or more symptoms such as throbbing of a muscle area, common thigh muscle first, back thigh, tightening back or neck, bruised; swelling of a muscular region, pressing into increased pain; difficulties with movement or when movement increases, the tendon is weak. When the muscle tear is completely heard, "phut" can be heard, the dent in the skin of the muscle area is broken when the muscle is completely broken.

After an accident or injury, if muscle tension is suspected, it is necessary to take immediate rest and be especially careful to see a doctor who can help diagnose the disease as well as the degree of muscle damage. Only then will the most appropriate treatment regimen be as short as possible to recover the damage and avoid recurrence.

One of the most effective methods of restoring muscle tension at home is the RICE technique , the acronym for treatment content.

1. R-Rest is resting . This is crucial for muscle mass to have time to recover as well as "repair" the damage.
2. I-Ice is ice . Using an ice pack covering the injured muscle for 10 to 15 minutes at a time can help reduce swelling and inflammation very clearly. This solution should be applied within 24 hours after injury.
3. C-Compression is a compression bandage . If possible, apply compress to reduce swelling as well as help the muscle mass to rest. A cloth or elastic bandage may be used to wrap injured thighs, ankles, wrists or lower legs with moderate pressure.
4. E-Elevation understands that high-hanging limbs may be damaged. Lifting an injured arm or leg can help reduce swelling and allow blood to flow back to the heart more easily.

In addition to using the RICE method, medications can be used to control pain and reduce inflammation. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) such as ibuprofen and naproxen help reduce both pain and inflammation. Acetaminophen may relieve pain but does not have anti-inflammatory properties like NSAIDs. In addition, can use additional muscle relaxants, anti-edema.

Mild muscle strain (grade 1), usually requiring only a few weeks of rest to recover completely, but with severely damaged muscle lesions, requiring intensive treatment or even surgical rehabilitation. When muscle mass breaks, the prognosis of recovery time will be much longer.

To prevent muscular injury, it is important to start the muscle groups before vigorous exercise is extremely important to help prevent injuries. Follow a healthy diet and exercise every day to maintain weight as well as increase endurance for muscle mass. Along with that, maintain a consistent weight. Excess weight can put more pressure on the muscles, making them more likely to occur.

Also, pay attention when lifting heavy objects because this is the most likely to stretch the lumbar or shoulder muscles. Using labor protection, supportive tools when playing sports, such as suitable shoes, knee pads, thigh bandages, belt . are also solutions to reduce the risk of muscle tension. For professional athletes, it is extremely important to follow the instructions of your personal trainer and physical trainer.

Doctor Tran Quoc Khanh
Vietnam-Germany Friendship Hospital