Muscle injuries in the ER. A summary adapted from the Spanish Consensus Statement: The Treatment of Muscle Tears in Sport

1. Inflammatory phase, duration 1-2 days 2. Degenerative and vascularization phase, until day 14 after injury onset 3. Cell-stimulating, proliferative, and fibrotic phase, until day 28 after injury onset 4. Remodeling phase, up to 3 to 6 months after injury onset Inflammatory Phase Cryotherapy to the affected area Analgesic drugs such as acetaminophen based on pain intensity Elevation of the affected limb Rest Non-use of complete immobilization Vascular-type bandage or taping over the affected area Non-use of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) Empty the hematoma only in the presence of intense pain or when neurovascular compression phenomena occur Mobilization of the affected area based on level of pain Echography of the affected area after 48 to 72 hours is recommended by 80% of experts Administration of inflammation bioregulators (Table 1). ControversialMRI in this early inflammatory stage