Strains & Tears

Sports Health Conditions: Strains

Injuries or tears to muscles or tendons caused by overstretching, especially in the groin, leg (popliteal artery), knee (torn meniscus) ACL (torn anterior cruciate ligament), shoulder (torn labrum) and calf.

Strains can range from minor to severe and symptoms may vary, but often include swelling, bruising or pain that intensifies with movement. While a minor strain often heals well at home, a serious strain might need more comprehensive treatment.

ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) injuries, a tear in one of the knee ligaments that joins the upper leg bone with the lower leg bone, are common among athletes. Another common tear is in the rotator cuff, the group of tendons and related muscles that help keep the upper arm bone seated in the socket of the shoulder blade.  Plantar fasciitis is another common strain of the ligament that supports the arch in your foot.

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