THE MUSCULAR SYSTEM
Without
muscles, the body would not move. The human body would not be able to beat the heart to pump blood, breathe, excrete waste
from the body, pump lymph which is the fluid that surrounds cells throughout the body, stand and walk. Muscles also produce
heat from their movements which helps to maintain the body temperature.
Nearly half of a human’s body weight comes from
muscle mass. By weight, that makes the muscular system the largest of the body’s systems. It is comprised of more than
650 muscles working together.
Three (3) Types Of Muscle;
1. Cardiac.
2. Smooth.
3.
Skeletal.
CARDIAC
MUSCLE
Cardiac muscle is the muscle tissue found in the heart. This muscle tissue allows the heart to push
blood into the arteries.
SMOOTH MUSCLE
Smooth muscles aka involuntary
muscles are not controlled consciously. They are controlled by the autonomic nervous system and found in and around the circulatory,
lymph and intestinal systems. Smooth muscles are not attached to bones, move slowly and can stay contracted for long periods
of time. They help push food through the digestive system as well as constrict and dilate blood vessels.
SKELETAL MUSCLE
Skeletal muscles aka voluntary muscles are controlled consciously to help
the body move. Skeletal muscles are connected to bones with tendons therefore when the skeletal bones contract the skeletal
muscles shorten and pull two bones closer together. Flexor muscles cause a joint to bend while extensor muscles cause the
joint to straighten.
A Muscle Strain is an injury to either a muscle or a tendon in which a muscle or a
tendon is over stretched which can result in a partial or complete tear.
MUSCLE SPASM(S) AKA MUSCLE
CRAMP(S)
A muscle spasm aka muscle cramp is an involuntary contraction of a muscle. Muscle spasm(s)
aka muscle cramp(s) occur suddenly, are painful and usually resolve quickly. The muscle cell runs out of energy and fluid
and becomes hyper-excitable and then develops a forceful contraction.
This spasm may involve part of a muscle, the whole muscle
or even the adjacent muscle(s). Muscle spasm(s) aka muscle cramp(s) may occur when a muscle is;
1. Held in the same position for a prolonged period of time.
2. Overstretched.
3. Overused.
Common in athletes and construction workers due to strenuous activity.
4. Tired.
STRAIN SEVERITY
GRADE
I STRAIN
A grade I strain is a mild strain caused by overstretching or slight tearing of the
muscle fibers with no joint instability. A person with a mild strain usually experiences minimal pain, swelling and little
or no loss of functional ability. Bruising is absent or slight and the person is usually able to put weight on the affected
joint.
Healing usually occurs within two (2) to three (3) weeks with proper therapy and treatment.
GRADE II STRAIN
A grade II strain is a moderate strain caused by partial tearing of the
muscle fibers with some joint instability. A person with a moderate strain usually experiences pain, swelling and loss of
functional ability. Bruising is present and the person has difficulty putting weight on the affected joint.
Healing
usually occurs within three (3) to six (6) weeks with proper therapy and treatment.
GRADE
III STRAIN
A grade II strain is a severe strain caused by complete tearing or rupture of the muscle
fibers with joint instability. A person with a severe strain usually experiences pain, swelling and loss of functional ability.
Bruising is present and requires a surgical repair of the muscle.
Healing usually occurs within three (3) to six (6) months
with proper therapy and treatment.
LIGAMENTS
Ligaments are tissues that hold the bones together so the bones don’t separate
when the muscles force the bones to move.
A Ligament Sprain is an injury to a ligament in which a ligament is
stretched beyond its limit which can result in a partial or complete tear.
SPRAIN
SEVERITY
GRADE I SPRAIN
A grade I sprain is a
mild sprain caused by overstretching or slight tearing of the ligament with no joint instability. A person with a mild sprain
usually experiences minimal pain, swelling and little or no loss of functional ability. Bruising is absent or slight and the
person is usually able to put weight on the affected joint.
GRADE II SPRAIN
A
grade II sprain is a moderate sprain caused by partial tearing of the ligament with some joint instability. A person with
a moderate sprain usually experiences moderate pain, swelling and loss of functional ability. Bruising is present and the
person has difficulty putting weight on the affected joint. An x-ray or MRI may be needed.
GRADE
III SPRAIN
A grade III sprain is a severe sprain caused by a complete tearing or rupture of the
ligament with joint instability. A person with a severe sprain usually experiences severe pain, swelling and loss of functional
ability. Bruising is present and the person is unable to put weight on the affected joint. An x-ray or MRI may be needed to
rule out a broken bone.
Grade III Sprain can also increase the risk of an athlete having future sprains in that area.