Knowra Strain (injury) Strain (injury) A strain is an injury in which muscle or tendon fibers are overstretched or torn, often during forceful movement. It can range from mild fiber damage to a complete tear.
Muscle fiber : A muscle cell specialized to contract and generate force. Strains damage the fibers that transmit force within skeletal muscle.
Muscle strain symptoms : Common signs of muscle injury, including pain, tenderness, swelling, and reduced strength. These symptoms help characterize a suspected strain.
Sprain : An injury involving overstretching or tearing of a ligament. A strain affects muscle or tendon; a sprain affects a ligament.
Skeletal muscle : Muscle tissue attached to the skeleton that produces voluntary movement. Most familiar strains involve skeletal muscles used in movement.
Tendon : A tough connective-tissue band that attaches muscle to bone. A strain can involve the tendon connecting an injured muscle to bone.
Physical examination : Assessment of health through inspection, palpation, and tests of movement or function. Clinicians assess tenderness, strength, and range of motion to evaluate a strain.
Tendinopathy : A disorder of a tendon associated with pain and impaired function, often from repeated loading. Tendinopathy usually develops through persistent tendon problems rather than one acute overstretching event.
Connective tissue : Body tissue that supports, binds, or separates other tissues and organs. Tendons are connective tissues that can be damaged in a strain.
Muscle tear : A partial or complete disruption of muscle tissue. A strain becomes a tear when stretching forces disrupt muscle fibers.
Magnetic resonance imaging : An imaging technique that uses magnetic fields and radio waves to produce detailed body images. MRI can show the location and extent of significant muscle or tendon damage.
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