ARM STRAIN, UPPER ARM |
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General Information
DEFINITION--Injury to the muscles or tendons connected to the humerus, the bone in the upper arm. Muscles, tendons and bone comprise units. These units stabilize the elbow and shoulder joints and allow their motion. A strain occurs at the weakest part of a unit. Strains are of 3 types:
Mild (Grade I)--Slightly pulled muscle without tearing of muscle or tendon fibers. There is no loss of strength.
Moderate (Grade II)--Tearing of fibers in a muscle, tendon or at the attachment to bone. Strength is diminished.
Severe (Grade III)--Rupture of the muscle-tendon-bone attachment with separation of fibers. Severe strain requires surgical repair. Chronic strains are caused by overuse. Acute strains are caused by direct injury or overstress.
BODY PARTS INVOLVED
Muscles of the upper arm.
Tendons of the upper-arm muscles.
Humerus, the bone of the upper arm.
Soft tissue surrounding the strain, including nerves, periosteum (covering to bone), blood vessels and lymph vessels.
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SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
Pain when moving or stretching the upper arm.
Muscle spasm of the injured muscles.
Swelling in the upper arm.
Loss of strength in the upper arm (moderate or severe strain).
Crepitation ("crackling") feeling and sound when the injured area is pressed with fingers.
Calcification of the muscle or its tendon (visible with X-rays).
Inflammation of the tendon sheath.
CAUSES
Prolonged overuse of muscle-tendon units in the upper arm.
Single violent injury or force applied to the upper arm.
RISK INCREASES WITH
Contact sports.
Throwing sports.
Any cardiovascular medical problem that results in decreased circulation.
Medical history of any bleeding disorder.
Obesity.
Poor nutrition.
Previous elbow, upper-arm or shoulder injury.
Poor muscle conditioning or muscle overuse.
HOW TO PREVENT
Participate in a strengthening and conditioning program appropriate for your sport.
Warm up before practice or competition.
Use proper protective equipment such as shoulder pads.
WHAT TO EXPECT
APPROPRIATE HEALTH CARE
Doctor's diagnosis.
Application of tape, plaster splints or casts (sometimes).
Self-care during rehabilitation.
Physical therapy (moderate or severe strain).
Surgery (severe strain).
DIAGNOSTIC MEASURES
Your own observation of symptoms.
Medical history and exam by a doctor.
X-rays of the elbow, arm and shoulder to rule out fractures.
POSSIBLE COMPLICATIONS
Prolonged healing time if activity is resumed too soon.
Proneness to repeated injury.
Unstable or arthritic shoulder or elbow following repeated injury.
Inflammation at the attachment to bone (periostitis).
Prolonged disability (sometimes).
PROBABLE OUTCOMEIf this is a first-time injury, proper care and sufficient healing time before resuming activity should prevent permanent disability. Torn ligaments and tendons require as long to heal as fractured bones do. Average healing times are:
Mild strain--2 to 10 days.
Moderate strain--10 days to 6 weeks.
Severe strain--6 to 10 weeks. If this is a repeat injury, complications listed above are more likely to occur.
HOW TO TREAT
NOTE -- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.
FIRST AIDUse instructions for R.I.C.E., the first letters of REST, ICE, COMPRESSION and ELEVATION. See Appendix 1 for details.
CONTINUING CARE
Use ice massage 3 or 4 times a day for 15 minutes at a time. Fill a large Styrofoam cup with water and freeze. Tear a small amount of foam from the top so ice protrudes. Massage firmly over the injured area in a circle about the size of a softball.
After the first 24 hours, apply heat instead of ice, if it feels better. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, hot showers, heating pads, or heat liniments and ointments.
Take whirlpool treatments, if available.
Wrap the injured arm with an elasticized bandage between treatments.
Massage gently and often to provide comfort and decrease swelling.
MEDICATION
For minor discomfort, you may use:
Aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.
Topical liniments and ointments.
Your doctor may prescribe:
Stronger pain relievers.
Injection of a long-acting local anesthetic to reduce pain.
Injection of a corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone, to reduce inflammation.
ACTIVITY
For a moderate or severe strain, use a sling for at least 72 hours--longer with a cast or splints.
Resume your normal activities gradually.
DIETEat a well-balanced diet that includes extra protein, such as meat, fish, poultry, cheese, milk and eggs. Increase fiber and fluid intake to prevent constipation that may result from decreased activity.
REHABILITATIONBegin daily rehabilitation exercises when supportive wrapping is no longer needed. Use ice massage for 10 minutes prior to exercise. See section on rehabilitation exercises.
CALL YOUR DOCTOR IF
You have symptoms of a moderate or severe upper-arm strain, or a mild strain persists longer than 10 days.
Pain or swelling worsens despite treatment.
The following occurs with a cast or splints:
Dusky, blue or gray fingernails.
Pain, numbness or coldness below the injury.
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