Muscle swelling usually occurs as a result of an injury to the muscle. This can come in the form of direct trauma, or as a result of muscle strain, in which the small tissues that comprise the muscle begin to break down. Different levels of pain can accompany muscle swelling, depending on the severity of the injury. Other conditions that can cause muscle swelling include a muscle rupture and simple overuse of the muscles. A muscle tear is a serious condition that will likely require surgery to repair, while excess muscle will heal after a short period of time.
A muscle rupture occurs when the muscle completely separates from itself or a tendon. This can be an intensely painful experience, and is likely to be accompanied by muscle swelling and bruising. If this injury occurs, it is important that the injured person seek immediate medical attention. In the meantime, he or she may apply ice to help keep the swelling down, and keeping the limb elevated will also help keep the swelling down. Surgery may be necessary, and recovery time from such an injury is likely to be quite long. Physical therapy will be necessary once the muscle has healed.
Direct trauma can also cause muscle swelling. Such injuries commonly occur in sports, especially full contact sports like football or hockey. The impact can hit the muscle, damaging some of the muscle fibers. This can cause swelling and bruising. In most cases, RICE (trial, ice, compression, and elevation) treatment is sufficient to treat the injury. Some instances of a sore muscle due to trauma may not even prevent an athlete from continuing to participate in the sport, although some discomfort will likely be felt. He or she is also at risk of allowing the injury to worsen by continuing to use the injured muscle.
A muscle strain occurs when the tiny fibers that comprise the muscle begin to tear slightly, often as a result of overuse or misuse. For example, twisting in an uncomfortable way can cause a muscle to tighten. Muscle swelling does not always accompany a strain, although more severe strains can cause swelling or even bruising. RICE treatment is appropriate for a strained muscle, and recovery time will vary depending on the severity of the injury. If swelling has occurred, the strain is likely to be more severe, meaning several days or weeks of recovery may be required.