General Muscle Injuries

Muscle injuries refer to any damage sustained by tendons, muscle fibers or the surrounding tissues throughout the body. These injuries can range from mild strains to complete tears that require surgery. Symptoms of muscle injuries include sudden and sharp pain, as well as dull or achy soreness that worsens with movement. Other common symptoms include swelling, bruising, muscle weakness and cramping.

The top risk factors for general muscle injuries include inadequate warm-up routines prior to exercise, poor flexibility, fatigue, overtraining and inadequate footwear or equipment. In some cases, muscle imbalances may lead to injury when one muscle group is stronger or tighter than its opposing group (e.g., the quadriceps), causing the joints and tissues to be pulled out of alignment. Stretching regularly can help increase flexibility and reduce the risk of muscle tears, as can proper nutrition and hydration. Mild injuries, such as muscle contusions or bruises, result from direct impacts to the muscle.

The Montefiore Einstein Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation will tailor a recovery plan to suit your needs, including physical therapy, home exercise programs for your injury and non-opioid-based pain management regimens. Our experts specialize in diagnosing and treating a wide range of muscle injuries, some of which are listed below. You can find more information about each by selecting its page from the menu on the left.

• Muscle tears
• Sprains
• Strains
• Tendonitis