Strains + Sprains Flashcards
What is a sprain?
an overstretch injury to a ligament
What is a musculotendinous unit?
the muscle, its tendons, their osseous attachments and the musculotendinous junction
Which type of contraction produces greater forces in a muscle and predisposes the muscle to injury?
eccentric contraction
What are three possible scenarios where a MTU can experience a strain?
sudden overstretching of the muscle
or
extreme contraction of the muscle against heavy resistance
or
chronic muscle overuse
Tendons are prone to partial or complete rupture in which area?
the area of least blood supply - either in the center of the tendon or at the MTJ
Why is it important to seek medical attention for a grade 3 strain before the chronic stage?
by chronic stage, the ends of a torn tissue fibrose and make surgical repair difficult!
What is a grade 4 strain?
a complete rupture of a tendon that also causes an avulsion fracture
In which level of strain will the muscle likely bunch up in spasmodic contractions?
grade 3
In a grade _ strain, pain will be immediate but disability will be noted the next day
grade 2
In a grade _ strain, the person will not be able to continue the interrupted activity
3 or 4
A period of total inactivity following a strain will lead to…
mm shortening and disuse atrophy
What percentage of fibres is torn/affected in a grade 1 strain?
1-10%
What percentage of fibres is torn/affected in a grade 2 strain?
11-99%
What percentage of fibres is torn/affected in a grade 3 strain?
100%
How soon would someone be able to return to activity after a grade 1 muscle strain?
with support after 2 days
How soon would someone be able to return to activity after a grade 2 muscle strain?
a few days to several weeks
How soon would someone be able to return to activity after a grade 3 mm strain?
immobilization is usually for 4-8 weeks, then return to activity may be delayed d/t disuse atrophy
Why are the hamstrings, quads, and gastrocs common areas of muscle strain injury?
these muscles all cross two joints, making them subject to increased stress
What movements are the most common cause of mm strain in the low back?
lifting and twisting
Strains to the gastrocs usually occur in which part of the muscle, doing what action?
at the MTJ
when contracting muscle while it’s in a maximally lengthened position
What muscle(s) experiences the most common strain of the lower extremity?
hamstrings
What are the contraindications for treating muscle strains?
do not remove protective mm splitting in acute
no distal circulatory techniq. in acute/early subacute
no hot hydro proximal to casted body part
no frictions if client taking anti-inflammatories or blood thinners
no remex in acute stage for grade 2/3
What ligament does NOT technically join two bones together? How can it become sprained?
the transverse ligament of the humerus (holds biceps tendon in place)
when the biceps tendon is dislocated
What are the two most commonly sprained ligaments in the ankle?
anterior talofibular ligament
calcaneofibular ligament
What is the most commonly injured ligament in the knee?
MCL
What percentage of ankle sprains involve an eversion sprain?
Up to 10%
If the femur is forced posteriorly, what ligament will most likely be damaged?
ACL
If the tibia is forced anteriorly, which ligament will most likely be damaged?
ACL
What is the unhappy triad?
ACL, MCL and meniscus injury
A grade 1 sprain can see return to activity after…
4-5 days
A grade 2 sprain can see return to activity after…
7-14 days
A grade 3 sprain can see return to activity after…
6-8 weeks of immobilization but it may take up to 6 months to fully return to prior activities
Painless hypermobility may be seen in what direction in the case of a 3rd degree sprain?
the direction the sprained ligament is intended to check
Excessive displacement of the tibia anteriorly would be a positive result for what test? What would it indicate?
anterior drawer test/sign
damaged ACL
Excessive displacement of the tibia posteriorly would be a positive result for what test? What would it indicate?
posterior drawer test/sign
damaged PCL
What is THE most commonly sprained ligament in the ankle?
ATFL
What is the main diagnostic difference between a grade 1 and grade 2 sprain?
a snapping sound
If a contractile tissue is damaged, which ROM will be affected? What are the 3 contractile tissues?
aROM + rROM
muscle, tendon, fascia
If there is damage to ligaments, which ROM will be affected?
aROM, pROM that cause stretching of the ligament
rROM will likely not be painful
A high ankle sprain refers to ligaments where?
above the ankle itself from twisting of the tibia and fibula
