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Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy
Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy 11/2012

01-11-2012 | Sports Medicine

Acute muscle strain injuries: a proposed new classification system

Authors: Otto Chan, Angelo Del Buono, Thomas M. Best, Nicola Maffulli

Published in: Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy | Issue 11/2012

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Abstract

Purpose

To better define and classify acute muscle strain injuries.

Methods

Historically, acute muscle strains have been classified as grade I, II and III. This system does not accurately reflect the anatomy of the injury and has not been shown to reliably predict prognosis and time for return to sport.

Results

We describe an imaging (magnetic resonance or ultrasound) nomenclature, which considers the anatomical site, pattern and severity of the lesion in the acute stage. By site of injury, we define muscular injuries as proximal, middle and distal. Anatomically, based on the various muscular structures involved, we distinguish intramuscular, myofascial, myofascial/perifascial and musculotendinous injuries.

Conclusions

This classification system must be applied to a variety of muscle architectures and locations to determine its utility; additional studies are therefore needed prior to its general acceptance.

Level of evidence

V.
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Metadata
Title
Acute muscle strain injuries: a proposed new classification system
Authors
Otto Chan
Angelo Del Buono
Thomas M. Best
Nicola Maffulli
Publication date
01-11-2012
Publisher
Springer-Verlag
Published in
Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy / Issue 11/2012
Print ISSN: 0942-2056
Electronic ISSN: 1433-7347
DOI
https://doi.org/10.1007/s00167-012-2118-z

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