The objectives of the treatment are threefold: obtain quality healing, avoid chronicity and reduce the risk of recurrence.

Immediate treatment

The clinical examination should make it possible to identify the degree of severity of the lesion. Once the doctor has identified the breakdown or tear, he will begin treatment with a phase nicknamed “PRICE” (this is a mnemonic device):

1) Protection. Do not massage the injured muscle, including with an anti-inflammatory gel, but protect it with padding to lessen the impacts it could have with other objects.

2) Repos. Rest is essential: it accelerates the healing of the muscle.

3) Ithis. Moderate application of ice can help reduce pain and swelling by lowering blood flow to the injured area. The duration and methods of application do not benefit from a recognized protocol, but it is advisable not to apply the ice directly to the skin and not more than 20 minutes per hour. On the contrary, the application of heat is strongly discouraged.

It is also recommended to make a Csqueeze the injured muscle with an elastic bandage and perform a Eelevation of the limb in question (to limit the accumulation of blood in the affected area).

During the first ten days

The first-line examination is ultrasound. It will make it possible to ensure the diagnosis, to look for any immediate complications and to assess whether the hematoma should be punctured (depending on the size, the pain generated and the location) because it can hinder healing.

During this inflammatory phase, administration of analgesics is often helpful in reducing pain. However, it is imperative to avoid the prescription of drugs of the NSAID type (non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug) such as aspirin or ibuprofen because, as anticoagulants, they increase edema by blood effusion. Once the bleeding has stopped, they can again be used to reduce inflammation.

After the first ten days

La healing phase follows the inflammatory phase. Gentle physiotherapy sessions are generally recommended, during which passive stretching (for better orientation of the muscle fibers), electrostimulation, muscle strengthening and light massages can be performed. Depending on the severity of the lesion, this phase may last longer or shorter. It precedes the recovery phase (or rehabilitation) during which various stretches, deep massages and bodybuilding exercises are performed. At the end of this (about 45 days, to be qualified according to the severity of the lesion), the person can resume sports activity if they no longer feel pain. Usually, the return to sport is too early: one study showed that among people with a hamstring strain, 12% experienced a recurrence within the first week⁸.

Most muscle lesions heal without sequelae, but some can develop unfavorably (fibrous scars in particular). Various pain relieving medications may be administered by the doctor throughout the treatment.