How long does a pulled muscle take to heal? If you only have a minor (grade I) muscle strain, it should heal within a few weeks. Moderate (grade II) muscle strains may take several weeks to months to heal completely. A severe (grade III) muscle strain can take four to six months to heal after surgery.
Timeframes for rehabilitation and return to sport vary depending on the nature and severity of the strain. As a general rule, Grade 1 hamstring strains should be rested from sporting activity for about three weeks and Grade 2 injuries for a minimum of four to eight weeks.
Recovery Time for Calf Strain
Grade I calf strains may heal within a few days to a few weeks. Grade II calf strains take about two to six weeks to heal before a person can return to training.
Recovery and Outcome
Back muscle strains typically heal with time, many within a few days, and most within 3 to 4 weeks. Most patients with mild or moderate lumbar strains make a full recovery and are free of symptoms within days, weeks, or possibly months.
A grade 1 MCL tear (minor tear) can usually heal on its own with rest within one to three weeks. Grade 2 and grade 3 MCL tears, which are more severe, need proper treatment in order to heal, which can include resting, wearing a knee brace and doing physical therapy.
A grade 1 sprain can take one to three weeks for recovery, while a grade 2 can take three to six weeks, and a grade 3 or a high ankle sprain recovery can last several months.
Most skin burns that are small and first or second degree will heal within one to two weeks and will not usually scar. In some patients with second degree burns, the skin may become darker or lighter in color, and this will return to normal in 6-9 months.
Muscle strain grades
Healthcare providers also grade muscle strains by how severe they are. Grade I. If you have a mild muscle strain, you've stretched and pulled your muscle enough to cause minor damage, but it isn't torn through. This is the most common type.
Bed rest is usually considered an efficient treatment for acute low back pain. However, the optimal duration of bed rest is still being discussed. The recommended periods vary from 2 days to 2 weeks.
Can I run with a calf strain? No, it is best not to run until you've completed your rehabilitation. Once injured, that part of the calf muscles is no longer as strong as it used to be, making it super easy to strain it even worse if you're not careful.
The No HARM protocol should also be applied which includes no heat, alcohol, running or activity, and no massage.
Mild strains.
Typically heals within a few days to a week. These involve minor damage to muscle fibers and cause mild pain and swelling.
There are 3 grades of strain, depending on the severity or the injury. Grade 1 tears are when less than 10% of the muscle fibres are torn. It is often painful but you can usually continue with daily activities and there is minimal swelling or bruising.
Even a complete ligament tear can heal without surgical repair if it is immobilized appropriately. Even if an ankle has a chronic tear, it can still be highly functional because overlying tendons help with stability and motion. For a Grade 1 sprain, use R.I.C.E (rest, ice, compression and elevation):
Night pain and pain at rest are red flags that can indicate a serious cause. Be suspicious for infection or malignancy in patients presenting with low back pain who experience unexplained weight loss, night pain, or pain with rest.
A common myth about back pain is that you need to rest and avoid activity for a long time. In fact, health care providers do not recommend bed rest. If you have no sign of a serious cause for your back pain (such as loss of bowel or bladder control, weakness, weight loss, or fever), stay as active as possible.
An easy method to consume turmeric is to mix a small quantity (1/2 teaspoon) of turmeric powder in a glass of warm milk. You can add honey or stevia to the milk if you prefer a sweet taste. Consume this drink, preferably just before bedtime to allow the anti-inflammatory process to work while you sleep.
A minor muscle pull or strain (grade 1) may take a few days to heal, whereas it could take weeks or months to recover from a muscle tear (grade 2 or 3).
Gentle stretching to the area can be beneficial, but the key is to keep it gentle. Avoid any prolonged sitting, bending, heavy lifting, twisting, or driving - all of which can make the pain worse. Giving the area of pain a rest, at least for the next 24 hours, will most likely be beneficial.
Grade 1 Strain- Mild, only a few fibers have been injured. Walking will likely be unaffected, you may feel minimal symptoms with sprinting. Grade 2 Strain- Moderate, a partial muscle tear up to half of the muscle. You may experience a limp with walking, and running may not be an option due to weakness and pain.
Immediately immerse the burn in cool tap water or apply cold, wet compresses. Do this for about 10 minutes or until the pain subsides. Apply petroleum jelly two to three times daily. Do not apply ointments, toothpaste or butter to the burn, as these may cause an infection.
Immediately applying cool running water is believed to mitigate the severity of the injury by dissipating thermal energy, stabilizing blood vessels, reducing the release of pro-inflammatory chemicals and influencing cellular responses. “It's a high-value, low-cost way to minimize complications from burn injuries.
Cover the burn with a clean bandage. Wrap it loosely to avoid putting pressure on burned skin. Bandaging keeps air off the area, reduces pain and protects blistered skin. If needed, take a nonprescription pain reliever, such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, others) or acetaminophen (Tylenol, others).