Skeletal muscle tissue has the largest mass in the human body, accounting for 40 to 45% of the total weight in men and 25 to 35% in women. Muscle injuries are among the commonest injuries (between 10% and 55% of all sports-related injuries) that occur in sports and physical activities. With increasing numbers of participants in sports and physical activities, there has been a dramatic increase in the number of patients with muscle injuries. Muscle injuries can occur as a result of bruising, stretching, or deep-cut. The classification divides such injuries into mild, moderate, and severe. Muscle injuries can also be broadly classified as either traumatic/ acute (mostly in contact sports such as Rugby, Soccer, Boxing) or overuse/chronic injuries (mostly in non-contact sports such as Running, Racquet Sports, Gymnastics). Muscle contusions can occur in any muscle group subjected to a sudden large direct, compressive force. Strains, however, tend to occur in muscles that cross two joints, such as the rectus femoris and the hamstrings muscles. For a strain injury to occur, the muscle must be stretched beyond its resting length. Once muscle injury has occurred, healing progresses through three distinct phases, regardless of the etiology (contusion, strain, or laceration). These phases are as follows; destruction, repair, and remodeling. For immediate care of muscle injuries, POLICE approach (an updated version of RICE-approach-protection, optimal loading rest, ice, compression, elevation) has generally been considered as being the best method to reduce swelling and relief pain within the first 24 to 48 hours. A clinical examination and assessment of the muscle function together with the history of occurrence of the injury are mostly sufficient for making the right diagnosis. In some cases, additional tests (MRI, X-ray, Ultrasound, CT-Scan) may be required to determine the extent of the injury or to identify possible additional injuries.

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