Is It a Muscle Strain or Something More Serious?

When Should You See a Sports Medicine Doctor?

Understanding Muscle Strains
Common Symptoms of a Muscle Strain
Signs It Might Be More Than a Strain
When to See a Sports Medicine Doctor
Non-Surgical Treatment Options
About Dr. Munif Hussain

Athlete holding back of thigh in pain from a muscle strain injury.

What is a Muscle Strain?

Muscle strains happen when muscle fibers overstretch or tear—usually after sudden movements, poor warm-up, or overuse. They’re one of the most common reasons people visit a sports injury doctor like Dr. Munif Hussain.

These injuries are often mild and improve with rest, but not all strains are the same. Some may hide a more serious underlying issue.

What are Common Symptoms of a Muscle Strain?

A mild or moderate muscle strain typically causes:

Aching or soreness at the injury site
Muscle tightness or stiffness
Swelling or mild bruising
Pain that worsens with activity but improves with rest
Discomfort that responds well to ice and over-the-counter medication

If these symptoms improve within a few days, you’re likely dealing with a standard strain.

Pain relief, injury recovery, self-care, healing process, home treatment. A woman patient applies an ice pack to her leg for muscle strain pain relief

What are Signs It Might Be More Than a Strain?

Watch for these warning signs that could indicate a more serious injury:

Severe or sharp pain that doesn’t ease
Swelling that doesn’t improve after several days
Muscle weakness or trouble moving the area
Numbness, tingling, or loss of sensation
A popping sound at the time of injury

If you notice any of these, your injury may involve a muscle tear, ligament damage, or even a stress fracture.

When Should I See a Sports Medicine Doctor?

Sports medicine doctor using ultrasound on patient’s leg for muscle injury diagnosis

Wondering when it’s time to see an expert? Here are five key situations:

Your pain does not gradually improve in 5 to 7 days
You can’t walk, lift, or move the injured area without difficulty
Swelling and bruising are getting worse, not better
You feel weakness, numbness, or tingling
You heard or felt a “pop” at the time of injury

Seeing a doctor early can help prevent long-term damage and get you on the right treatment path.

Patient working through hamstring stretch after injury.

Are there Non-Surgical Treatment Options?

Dr. Hussain specializes in non-surgical sports injury treatments designed to help patients heal without invasive procedures. Depending on your diagnosis, your care plan may include:

Ultrasound-guided injections for precise pain relief
PRP (Platelet-Rich Plasma) therapy to accelerate healing
Osteopathic Manipulative Treatment (OMT) to restore function
Customized return-to-activity programs for athletes and active individuals

Every treatment plan is tailored to your specific injury and activity goals.

Dr. Munif Hussain, Non-Surgical Sports Injury Care on Long Island

Learn More About Dr. Munif Hussain

Dr. Munif Hussain is a board-certified sports medicine doctor at South Island Orthopedics, serving patients in Cedarhurst, Rockville Centre, and surrounding New York areas.

With expertise in diagnosing and treating muscle and soft tissue injuries, Dr. Hussain uses advanced tools like musculoskeletal ultrasound to provide fast, accurate answers. His focus is on non-surgical, evidence-based care can help patients get back to the activities they love.

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Concerned that your injury may be more than just a strain?

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Tagged with: muscle tear, non-surgical treatment for sports injuries, sports injury doctor, sports injury signs

Posted in: Sports Medicine