How to Treat a Third Degree Tear

Third-degree muscle tears are a very serious injury, and you may be at risk for them if you participate in sports with repeated movements of a specific muscle group. Third-degree tears occur when a muscle is stretched too far and ruptures completely. You should seek medical attention as soon as possible when dealing with injuries of any kind and should always exercise with proper supervision.

Things You'll Need

• Ice pack
• Towel
• Compression bandage
• Hot water bottle

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Instructions

• 1

  Stop engaging in athletic activity as soon as you feel pain. Training or playing too much can be a primary cause of a third-degree tear, and continuing to be active can make things worse. You may also find that you are unable to completely move the muscle that is torn, so try to find a comfortable position that does not put stress on the muscle.

• 2

  Call or ask for medical attention. Third-degree tears are the most serious grade of muscle strain and will require medical attention. Stay calm, as noticeable swelling usually occurs at once and you will also experience immediate, severe pain in the affected muscle.

• 3

  Use the RICE method until you can acquire professional medical help. This method involves four steps. First, rest the injured muscle and applying a small, towel-wrapped ice pack to it. Next, lightly wrap an elastic compression bandage on the area to decrease swelling. Finally, elevate the injured area above the level of your heart, as this may reduce swelling and pain.

• 4

  Follow your doctor's orders. Typically, you will be instructed to attempt to use the muscle for unweighted contractions that do not cause pain. In the case of complete muscle tears, you will likely require surgery. Your doctor may instruct you to heat the muscle with a hot water bottle and may recommend that you engage in sports massage therapy within two weeks of the injury. Do not take any measures to treat your injury without clearing them with your doctor.

• 5

  Alert a medical professional if you experience additional swelling or have feelings of tightness inside the injured muscle. If pain worsens throughout your recovery, you should also seek medical attention. When in doubt, ask for advice from a doctor before attempting to treat or ignore any symptoms.