Common Muay Thai Injuries

A mild to moderate strain consists of a simple tear of the muscle fibers. Treatment consists protecting the muscle and tendon from further injury until healing is complete. Immediate treatment should include ice packs to the injured area followed by a compressive wrap. Forceful, quick contractions of the injured are should be avoided at all costs until pain and swelling subsides. Daily stretching and slow contractions of the injured area followed by ice if needed will speed recovery.
A severe strain consists of a complete tear of the tendon from its boney attachment and can be easily identified by a complete loss of function of the muscle-tendon group. Treatment is immediate attention by a trained physician. Surgical repair will be necessary in most cases.
A sprain is an injury to the ligament structure and the degree of damage depends on the amount of damage to the ligament itself. Ligaments are designed to hold to boney areas together at the joint and to prevent excess motion of the join.
A mild sprain involves only a small portion of the ligament with only minimal tearing of the ligament fibres. Treatment involves relieving symptoms only. This is best accomplished by applying ice to the injured area followed by a supportive elastic wrap. As pain subsides activity can usually be continued without restriction.
A moderate sprain involves up to half the ligament fibres being torn. Moderate sprains are immediately painful and accompanied by swelling and some disability in the moving joint. Because the ligament is still at least fifty percent intact there is no noticeable instability to the joint. The healing of a moderate sprain is slow and requires six to eight weeks for complete recovery (as long as a broken bone!). During this time the partially torn ligament must be protected by wrapping or strapping. Complete immobilization is usually the best treatment until the healing is complete.
A severe sprain means a complete tear of the ligament and results in the loss of stability of the joint. Treatment consists of prompt medical attention and usually surgery will be necessary.
When treating ALL soft-tissue and muscle-to-bone injuries a quick and easy method to use is the ICER method.
• Ice the injured area
• Compression on the injured area
• Elevation of the injured area
• Rest
Finally, using heat on any muscle, tendon, or ligament injury during the first 72 hours is a bad mistake. It will increase swelling and make the injury worse. After the initial three-day period heat may be used.