Diagnosing Severity of Muscle Pull

Muscle pulls are usually classified as Grade 1, 2, 3 or chronic, based on the following signs. 

Grade 1
You have overstretched the muscle fibers, resulting in some minor tears.  This can result in:

• tightness in the area of the strained muscle
• mild to moderate discomfort when performing movements that stretch the strained muscle fibers
• minor swelling or inflammation

Grade 2
You have partially torn some muscle fibers, resulting in the following symptoms.

• twinges of pain during activity, especially against resistance
• visible swelling and pressure, with the possibility of bruising
• weakness in the affected muscle

Grade 3
You have fully torn or ruptured some muscle fibers.  You may experience:

• significantly diminished motor function, making motions that use the affected muscles difficult or not possible
• severe pain when contracting the muscles, and a high level of background pain
• visible and immediate swelling, with the possibility of bruising

Chronic Injury
In addition to the three grades of injury, there is also the category of chronic. A chronic injury is one that is persistent and recurring and is identified by the following symptoms:

• You experience stiffness and soreness for over one month
• Your bruising and swelling is gone, but your flexibility is limited and it’s hard to work your muscles at 100 percent.

If you have previously had a strain and did not allow the muscles to heal completely before returning to your normal activities and exercise, your chance of developing a chronic strain are greatly increased. Often, in these instances, because of improper recovery the muscle develops scar tissue that inhibits normal muscle function.