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