Muscle injuries are one of the most common traumas occurring in sports, their frequency varying from 10-55% of all sustained injuries.

RICE treatment
Clinically, first aid for muscle injuries follows the RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation) principle. The objective of RICE is to stop the injury-induced bleeding into the muscle tissue and thereby minimise the extent of the injury. Clinical examination should be carried out immediately after the injury and 5-7 days after the initial trauma, at which point the severity of the injury can be assessed more reliably.

Causes of Muscle Injuries
Muscle injuries can be caused by contusion, strain or laceration.  Over 90% of all sports-related injuries are either contusions or strains, whereas muscle lacerations are uncommon injuries in sports.  Muscle contusion occurs when a muscle is subjected to a sudden, heavy compressive force, such as a direct blow. In strains, the muscle is subjected to an excessive tensile force leading to the overstraining of the myofibres and, consequently, to their rupture near the myotendinous junction.  These are the types of injuries which occur during over use or quick sudden movements of joints, where there is lots of force put upon a joint.

Returning to Sport
The decision regarding the appropriate timing of the return to sports-specific training can be based on two simple and inexpensive measures: (1) The ability to stretch the injured muscle as much as the healthy contralateral muscle. (2) The pain-free use of the injured muscle in basic movements.  It should always be emphasised that the final phase of the rehabilitation, sport-specific training, should preferably begin under the supervision of a therapist, personal trainer or coach.
 
First few days after injury
During the first few days after the injury, a short period of immobilisation accelerates the formation of granulation tissue at the site of the injury, but it should be noted that the duration of reduced activity (immobilisation) should be limited too, only until the scar has reached sufficient strength to bear the muscle - contraction induced pulling forces without re-rupture. At this point, gradual mobilisation should be started followed by a progressively intensified exercise programme to optimise healing by restoring the strength of the injured muscle, preventing muscle atrophy and the loss of strength and extensibility, all of which can follow prolonged immobilisation.

10 Key Points about Muscle injuries