Muscle injuries are a common occurrence in the form of localised bruising or a blood clot (haematoma) in the substance of the muscle. This may occur due to direct trauma such as after a rugby tackle. These types of muscle injuries usually heal well with conservative treatment.
Muscle tears are fortunately a less common problem, as they are much more difficult to treat. Ultrasound scanning or MRI scanning may be used to grade the muscle tear and incomplete tears are mostly treated with brace immobilisation and physiotherapy. Complete muscle tears may require surgical repair. These procedures often have less than satisfactory functional outcomes and augmentation of the repair may frequently be necessary. A scarred muscle is at significantly higher risk of recurrent dysruption.
Patients on anabolic steroids and elderly patients with muscle atrophy are mostly at risk.
