Definition
We talk about tearing, rupture or muscle distraction when some of the fibers making up the muscle break or the normal continuity and integrity of the muscle is interrupted. In general, muscle tearing is the most immediate physical expression of an exaggeratedly violent and abrupt contraction or effort.
Causes
Extreme physical exercise, or simply an abrupt or violent movement, can favor the injury of muscle fibers, to the point of causing them to break. Muscle tearing can therefore be the result of sudden jerks, violent muscular contractions, strong muscular tightening, extreme muscle fatigue, weight lifting, etc. The muscles most involved in the tears are those of the limbs, although all the muscles of the human body can be affected .
Symptoms
The muscular tear is characterized by a sudden and acute pain in the involved site, whose intensity is proportional to the number of broken fibers; just as a function of the proportion of compromised muscle fibers, muscle tears of the first, second and third degree are distinguished (serious injury, in which the patient is unable to move the limb or site involved). In addition to pain, muscle tearing involves edema, swelling, cramps and spasms.
Information on muscle tears - Medications for the treatment of muscle tears are not intended to replace the direct relationship between health professional and patient. Always consult your doctor and / or specialist before taking muscle tears - Medications for the treatment of muscle tears.
drugs
In the event of a muscle tear, the first therapeutic measure to consider is the immobilization of the affected area and the application of ice: as we know, ice therapy, or cryotherapy, is very useful in these cases, given that the tissue, in contact with cold, it tends to vasoconstriction, thereby reducing the blood supply. When necessary, a slight compression can be practiced by wrapping the affected limb with an elastic bandage, in order to avoid swelling. If possible, keep the muscle raised to help reduce swelling and pain.
It is recommended to stop all physical activity, and not to subject the muscle to further efforts, which would aggravate the condition, at least in the weeks immediately following the accident.
Furthermore, to mask the pain, it is advisable to take oral painkillers or apply specific ointments, gels or creams to reduce pain.
After the acute phase, lasting a few days, we pass into the subacute phase, in which the muscle must be moved and used, since the pain and swelling are weaker. The next phase, remodeling, can last up to 6 weeks following the injury, clearly based on the intensity of the tear: it is recommended to stretch the muscle several times a day, without exceeding the exercise. In the later stages, the patient is able to move the muscle without feeling pain: it is recommended to tone the muscle and to exercise, avoiding excesses.
- Ketoprofen (eg. Fastum, Ketoprofen ALM, Steofen): available in the form of creams or ointments to be applied directly on the area affected by the muscle tear (topical application drug) or as tablets to be taken by mouth (systemic action). In the form of a cream or gel, it is recommended to apply a thin layer of product directly on the injured area, twice a day, after careful cleaning and drying of the area. The dosage dosage of oral medication in controlling pain associated with muscle tears suggests taking 25-50 mg every 6-8 hours. Do not exceed 75 mg per dose.
- Diclofenac (eg Voltaren): available as a gel, gastro-resistant tablets, suppositories or solution for injection. For the topically applied drug, it is recommended to spread a layer of cream in the area affected by the muscle injury twice a day. For the tablets, take 50 mg of drug orally 3 times a day; in some patients, an initial dose of 100 mg is required, and then changed to 50 mg. After the first day, the total daily dose should not exceed 150 mg.
- Naproxen (eg Aleve, Naprosyn, Prexan, Naprius): it is recommended to take the drug at an oral dose of 550 mg once a day, followed by 550 mg of active every 12 hours; alternatively, take 275 mg of naproxen every 6-8 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 1100 mg per day.
- Ibuprofen (eg. Brufen, Moment, Subitene): the drug reduces the painful sensation in the muscles and promotes the ability to move. To lighten the pain associated with muscle tearing, it is recommended to take a dose of drug ranging from 200 to 400 mg, orally, every 4-6 hours, as needed. Do not exceed 400 mg per dose. In some cases, where muscle tearing creates intense pain, it is possible to take the drug intravenously (eg Pedea), at an indicative dose of 400-800 mg over 30 minutes, every 6 hours, as needed.
- Suxamethonium chloride (eg Myotenlis): second-choice muscle relaxant (peripheral action) used to treat muscle strains. The drug should be injected directly into the lesion. For more information: consult your doctor.
- Thiocolchicoside (eg. Tiocolchicoside PLIVA, Muscoril): this is a muscle relaxant drug with an anti-inflammatory and analgesic effect. The active substance is available as a solution for injection (4mg / 2ml). The doctor will inject the drug twice a day for the first 24 hours.
In addition to treatment with painkillers, muscle tears of medium and severe magnitude also require the association of other non-pharmacological therapies (eg physiotherapy, massotherapy, etc.), useful for restoring muscle function in a short time.
