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Physiotherapy vocabulary · Musculoskeletal Conditions

Strain

Meaning in physiotherapy, with examples

/streɪn/nounCore term

In physiotherapy, strain means: An injury to a muscle or tendon in which fibres are overstretched or torn, often during a quick, powerful movement.

In Turkish: kas zorlanması, kas gerilmesi, tendon zorlanması

How it is used

Common in sport and in physiotherapy notes: hamstring strain, calf strain, back strain. Patients also say 'I pulled a muscle'. Strains are graded 1 to 3 by severity. The verb is 'to strain a muscle'.

Example sentences

  1. He felt a sharp pain in his thigh while sprinting, which sounds like a hamstring strain.

  2. Mild muscle strains often settle within a few weeks.

Common collocations

  • hamstring strain
  • calf strain
  • muscle strain
  • strain a muscle
  • grade 1 strain
  • sprainAn injury to a ligament, the strong band of tissue that joins bones together, usually caused by suddenly twisting or overstretching a joint.
  • acuteDescribes a problem that started recently and suddenly, such as a new injury or a sudden attack of pain.
  • muscle spasmA sudden, involuntary tightening of a muscle that can be painful and make movement difficult.
  • tendinopathyA painful tendon problem, often linked to more load than the tendon could cope with, which leads to pain and reduced function.

This word in other fields

The same English word can have a different meaning in another field:

More terms: Musculoskeletal Conditions

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This page explains English vocabulary for learners. It is not medical advice.