What does a Grade 3 muscle tear look like?

Author: Prof. Tremayne Gaylord  |  Last update: Wednesday, May 7, 2025

Grade 3 – Complete rupture of a muscle or tendon. These can present with a palpable defect in the muscle or tendon. However, swelling in the area may make this difficult to appreciate. These injuries sometimes require surgery to reattach the damaged muscle and tendon.

How do you know if you have a grade 3 muscle tear?

This strain tears the muscle all the way through, sometimes causing a "pop" sensation as the muscle rips into two separate pieces or shears away from its tendon. Grade III strains are serious injuries that cause complete loss of muscle function, as well as considerable pain, swelling, tenderness and discoloration.

How long does a grade 3 muscle tear take to heal?

A severe (grade III) muscle strain can take four to six months to heal after surgery. You may need to immobilize your muscle with a cast for up to six weeks before starting your rehabilitation program. Athletes will need to sit out the season.

Does a grade 3 muscle tear require surgery?

Nonetheless, few studies have mentioned the need for surgical intervention. The main surgical indications include a large intramuscular heamatoma(s), a complete (III degree) strain or tear of a muscle with few or no agonist muscle or a partial (II degree) strain if more than half of the muscle belly is torn [7, 8].

What does a severe muscle tear look like?

2. Visible swelling and bruising: Torn muscles frequently result in noticeable swelling and bruising around the affected area. The presence of red, blue, or purple discoloration indicates bleeding and inflammation. Severe muscle tears may exhibit more pronounced swelling and bruising.

How to Treat a Quad Strain or Tear

What is a Stage 4 muscle tear?

Grade 4 injuries are complete tears to either the muscle (grade 4) or tendon (grade 4c). The athlete will experience sudden onset pain and significant and immediate limitation to activity. A palpable gap will often be felt.

Can a grade 3 ligament tear heal on its own?

A fully torn ligament, or grade 3 tear, can cause chronic pain and joint instability. Complete tears rarely heal naturally. Since there's a disconnect between the tissue and any chance of blood supply, surgery is needed. Surgery also helps the joint heal correctly and reduces the chances of re-injury.

How painful is a grade 3 tear?

Grade 3: A grade 3 MCL tear is a severe tear in which your MCL is completely torn — both the superficial and deep parts. Your knee will likely be very unstable and loose, and you'll probably experience intense pain and tenderness.

What happens if a muscle tear goes untreated?

Unless the condition is addressed, the injury may develop into permanent muscle damage, which not only decreases its physical functionality and performance but can also release proteins into the bloodstream. This condition then affects the body's kidneys and can lead to fatal complications.

Can you bend your leg with a torn hamstring?

Symptoms depend on the grade of the tear: Grade 1 — tightness in the muscle while stretching, inability to fully move your leg from bending to straightened, and inability to bear weight on the leg affected. Grade 2 — reduced muscular strength, limping when walking, and pain when bending the knee.

Can you recover from a grade 3 tear?

Because a grade 3 ligament tear is a complete rupture then the capacity to heal itself is much less. Of the 4 knee ligaments, a significant tear of the ACL, PCL, or LCL are more likely to require surgery if you are planning to return to a sport that requires a lot of twisting and turning.

What is a strong indicator of a grade 3 muscle strain?

Grade 3 – Complete rupture of a muscle or tendon. These can present with a palpable defect in the muscle or tendon. However, swelling in the area may make this difficult to appreciate. These injuries sometimes require surgery to reattach the damaged muscle and tendon.

Can you walk with a grade 3 hamstring tear?

Severe hamstring tears (grade 3) will usually be very painful, tender, swollen and bruised, making it difficult to walk and stand. There may have been a "popping" sensation at the time of the injury and you'll be unable to use the affected leg.

What not to do with a torn muscle?

The acronym H.A.R.M is less well known and is used to remember the things you shouldn't do after an injury. This stands for applying heat, drinking alcohol, running or massage.

How to speed up torn muscle recovery?

Your doctor may recommend the following at-home treatments:
  1. Rest. Rest the muscle for a few days or until your doctor gives you the okay. ...
  2. Ice. Apply ice to the injury for 20 minutes each hour you're awake. ...
  3. Compression. Wrapping the muscle with an elastic bandage can help bring down swelling. ...
  4. Elevation. ...
  5. Medication. ...
  6. Heat.

How do I know if I have a Grade 3 calf tear?

A grade 3 strain is a complete rupture of the muscle. This severe injury results in significant swelling and bruising, as the muscle has pulled away from the connecting tendon, or is torn in two pieces. The muscle has a complete lack of function, and requires a full six months to a year for a complete recovery.

Can a grade 3 muscle strain heal on its own?

Grade 3 muscle strain: This is a serious injury where your muscle tears into two pieces or shears away from the tendon. You won't be able to use the muscle and will have significant pain, swelling, and bruising. This type of injury might need to be repaired with surgery.

Is a muscle tear worse than a break?

While some people may automatically assume that injuries like broken bones or fractures are more painful and severe than soft tissue injuries, this is not always the case. Sometimes, soft tissue injuries can be more painful and require a longer recovery time than broken bones, depending on their nature and severity.

Can a muscle tear cause a blood clot?

Researchers found as many as 1 in 13 blood clots may be caused by small problems, such as muscle tears or ankle sprains.

What does a grade 3 tear look like?

Grade 3 — Considerable pain and tenderness at the inner side of the knee; some swelling and marked joint instability. The knee opens up slightly less than half an inch when moved. A grade 3 LCL tear means the ligament is completely torn. There may also be a tear of the anterior cruciate ligament.

How long do grade 3 tears take to heal?

A grade 3 sprain is a complete ligament tear. You have a lot of swelling and pain and are unable to bear weight. It can take at least 3-6 months to recover, and some people feel residual pain even after a year.

What does a grade 3 muscle tear feel like?

A Grade 3 is the most severe and often results in a complete tear of the fibers. Some patients report a feeling of the muscle tearing apart. There may be a lump or bruising where the tear has occurred. Often a palpable gap in the muscle can be felt.

Can a grade 3 tear heal without surgery?

Very minor tears (sprains) may heal with non-surgical treatments and regenerative medicine therapy. But full ACL tears cannot be healed without surgery. If your activities do not involve making pivoting movements on the knee, physical therapy rehabilitation may be all you need.

What does a grade 3 sprain look like?

A grade 3 sprain is most serious. It means that the ligament is completely torn or ruptured. You experience severe swelling and bruising. The joint probably isn't functional because it's too unstable, and movement creates intense pain.

Is walking good for torn ligaments?

Walking can be beneficial during the recovery from torn ligaments, provided it is done cautiously and under professional guidance. Initial treatment often involves rest, but a structured rehabilitation program may incorporate walking and other exercises as healing progresses.

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