How long does it take for muscle strain to heal? -

I guess each one of us has had a muscle injury, (sprain, tear). These kinds of injuries are quite common in people who play sports.

The question is, what would you do if you suspect a tear? What treatment and recovery time are needed? How can you avoid recurrences?

I will answer this question based on my knowledge as a diagnostic radiographer and I have investigated medical scientific literature on the subject matter.

Happy reading!😀

Feel free to ask questions in the comments or share your own experience.🙏

Last updated: April, 2025. Written by Juliet Semakula, a diagnostic radiographer.

▶️What is the difference between a muscle strain or a tear?

A muscle strain or tear can be a painful injury. It can be caused by an accident, overusing a muscle, or using a muscle in the wrong way.

A muscle strain is when a muscle is stretched too much and part of it tears. It is also called a pulled muscle.

When there are many ruptured or torn muscle fibres, it is referred to as a muscle tear rather than a strain.

The main difference between a strain and tear is the severity of the injury. More muscle fibres are damaged in a tear than in a strain.

These are very common injuries in persons who participate in sports and involve cross two joints which contain a high percentage of fast-twitch Fibers.

▶️What are the 3 types of muscle strain?

Grade 1️⃣: This is stretching and injury to the muscle fibers, but there is minimal structural damage.

This type of injury damages a few fibres and can cause oedema and discomfort and minimal restriction of movement.

Your pain may not cause significant functional impairment, it’s not recommended to keep the athlete active due to the high risk of worsening the injury.

Grade 2️⃣: These are more extensive damage with more muscle fibers involved, however, the muscle is not completely ruptured.

This kind of injury can cause a small muscle defect at the injury site and a slight local hematoma, possibly with bruising, occur within 2 to 3 days.

Grade 3️⃣: This is a complete rupture of a muscle or tendon causing total loss of muscle function and intense pain.

Usually the structural failure of the muscle is evident, and the bruising is usually extensive, often distant from the rupture site.

Image of different types of muscle injuries, the lines represent muscle fibres

Image from: ibphysio

▶️How can you be sure it’s a muscle strain and not something else?

In most cases, the diagnosis can be made based on the history and physical examination.

The main observed symptoms are:

🔴Localized tenderness over the myotendinous junction of the injured muscle will be evident on physical examination

🔴In the case of a complete rupture of the muscle, a defect may be palpated. Swelling or hematoma may also be present

🔴Intense and sudden pain that remains present for several days in a less intense form, both at rest and when using the injured leg

🔴A popping sound when you suddenly move.

It is very important to consult a doctor or physiotherapist to perform different diagnosis to rule out other causes with similar symptoms.

If your have other symptoms like muscle sprain, physical examinations and x-rays scans will be able to diagnose other conditions such as fractures, tendon rupture and tendinopathy

🟣If your doctor requests for an x-ray, it usually shows soft tissue swelling in a case of muscle strain injury but will usually appear normal.

🟣Computed tomography scan has only a limited capability to depict soft-tissue injury but may demonstrate haemorrhage into the muscle

🟣Magnetic resonance imaging scan is recommended to most accurately define the injury site.

▶️Should I go to A &E for a pulled muscle?

🟣Yes, if it’s very painful, or the pain is getting worse to bear it’s advisable to see a doctor to help with your pain.

🟣If there’s a large amount of swelling or bruising, or the swelling or bruising is getting worse.

🟣If it hurts to put weight on it and it feels very stiff or is difficult to move.

▶️What can be done to treat this muscle strain or tear?

The scale of muscle strain injuries is wide and can include bruise, tear, delayed-onset muscle soreness, and muscle strain.

Treatment will depend on how bad your muscle is injured.

However, a major injury can result in limited range of motion and weakness. Most muscle strains fall within the range of less severe injuries.

Time is a key factor in healing a muscle sprain, and whatever you implement there is unavoidable time required for the damaged muscle fibres to heal.

For example:

If you have got discolouration caused by a direct blow to the muscle it will be treated with a three-phase treatment program.

1️⃣You will be given a short period of immobilization with the muscle in a lengthened position. This may limit haemorrhage and oedema in the acute post injury phase (Noonan,1999)

2️⃣Your physiotherapy will help you with passive and active range-of-motion exercises.

3️⃣Encourage strengthening exercises.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness is defined as muscular pain that occurs 24 to 72 hours after vigorous exercise and peaking after 1 to 3 days.

Delayed-onset muscle soreness will resolve in a few days and requires no specific treatment.

Your doctor may recommend Stretching which will help to preserve range of motion, and nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can be used to alleviate pain.

Muscle sprains heal and regenerate on their own, without any external intervention, our body is very capable of repairing itself in this context as long as the process is not hindered.

However, the Initial treatment of muscle sprain in the hour following the injury consists of:

🟡Resting the muscle.

You will be advised to rest for at least 1 to 5 days, resting will promote pain control.

You should avoid sports such as running, jumping. If necessary, use crutches to walk.

🟡Applying Ice.

Helps to restore the effects of the inflammatory reaction to strain injury by reducing oedema and hematoma formation and diminishing pain.

However, caution is necessary, as the theoretical possibility of worsening swelling exists with the application of extreme cold (Noonan,1999)

🟡Compression and elevation in the treatment of muscle strain injury is thought to decrease pain and swelling and is highly recommended though there are few studies highlighting the benefits.

🟡Medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug therapy.

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory agents have been used to reduce the inflammatory response seen in muscle strain injury.

Two studies assessed the effect of NSAIDs on muscle strain injury but no significant effect on tensile strength was demonstrated. However, both studies showed histologic evidence of delayed healing with NSAID use.

In summary, NSAIDs offer the potential benefits of analgesia and inflammation reduction when used to treat muscle strain injury.

However, many questions remain regarding the long-term effects of these drugs on the recovery process

🟡Physical therapy should be initiated to restore flexibility and strength as pain and swelling subside.

Restoration of muscle strength is important to prevent further injury or reinjury because of the role of muscle as an energy-absorbing structure.

Passive stretching of muscle is thought to be beneficial because it reduces muscle stiffness.

Noonan, 1999

There were few clinical or basic science studies that have been performed to determine the effects of all these different treatment options.

So, whatever works for you in your case, can be determined as the best option for you.

🟡Surgical management has been recommended for complete muscle ruptures but some studies state that non-surgical options provide equivalent results then surgery.

The truth is surgery is very rare, unless your pain has persisted for 4 to 6 weeks for the muscle fibres to heal and there is a significant muscle hematoma.

Then your doctor may suggest surgery, which will require you to rest for 4 to 6 weeks for the muscle fibres to heal.

SantAnna,2022

So, you should discuss any treatment options for best results based on the type of muscle injury you have got.

▶️What is the healing timeline?

Complications of muscle strain injury are relatively rare. Most injuries heal with little, if any, residual defect.

Potential complications include fibrosis, weakness, pain, and reinjury which are associated with severe injuries.

Athletes can develop chronic muscle strain injuries that last several months, with reinjury occurring each time a return to high-level sports activity is attempted.

Depending on the cause of your injury, three phases have been identified in this process.

1️⃣Destruction:This phase is characterised by the rupture and necrosis of damaged muscle fibres, the formation of hematomas in the space created between the ruptured muscle, and proliferation of inflammatory cells.

2️⃣Repair and remodelling: This phase involves the removal of dead cells, the regeneration of new muscle fibres and the production of connective scar tissue along with new blood vessels and nerve endings.

3️⃣Remodelling: This phase will take longer if the injury is severe, for example grade 3 muscle strains or tears, the time for new fibre regeneration often takes 2 to 3 weeks.

For a grade 3 tear, healing can take up to 3 to 4 months, pain may persist for several weeks.

SantAnna,2022

▶️Is it ok to walk with a pulled muscle?

Rest the muscle for a few days or until your doctor gives you the okay.

If you have a minor muscle strain, you should be able to do some gentle movement after two days

But try to rest and follow your doctor’s instructions to help with speed healing, so that you can get back to your feet.

▶️When to start exercising or resume sports.

Here are the average times observed before resuming sports in professional football players who have had a strain or tear

The average times before you resume sports are (Palermi,2023)

The average recovery times for resuming sports in professional football

🟪24 days for a quadriceps tear.

🟪22 days for hamstring tear.

🟪21 days for a calf tear.

🟪10 days for hamstring muscle injury.

These recovery times will always differ depending on the sport you practice and your physical condition.

Note these are professional; athletes who are accustomed to heavy training loads.

That’s why it is always advisable to discuss with your doctor or physiotherapy if you want an external opinion from someone experienced in supervising these types of injuries.

▶️How to avoid other muscle strains or tears?

While muscle strains caused by injuries such as falls cannot usually be prevented, there are various techniques that medical scientific studies identify that you can do to prevent muscle strains.

🟪Keeping your muscles active by engaging in any type of leg strengthening activity.

🟪Efficiently warm up before strenuous activity thou exercise is important; it should never be rushed into.

Because many thigh muscle strains happen because people neglect to adequately stretch their muscles in preparation for the forceful movements to follow.

🟪Trying dynamic movement where joints and muscles go through a full range of motion.

🟪Eccentric exercise has the strongest evidence for preventing recurrences

Noonan,1999

Ideally the intensity, frequency and duration of training should be individualised based on each person’s characteristics.

We have come to the end of this article, any experience to share, let’s meet in the comments sections.

How long does it take for muscle strain to heal?