Pulled Muscle
Pulled Muscle Surgeons in Kansas City, MO
Recover From Pulled Muscles With Orthopedic Health of Kansas City
A pulled muscle, also known as a muscle strain, occurs when muscle fibers are overstretched or torn, often due to sudden movement, overuse, or improper lifting technique. This injury can cause sharp pain, swelling, and difficulty moving the affected area. At Orthopedic Health of Kansas City, our orthopedic urgent care team provides walk-in evaluation and treatment for pulled muscles, helping you recover quickly and safely without the hassle of an emergency room visit.
What Does a Pulled Muscle Feel Like?
Pulled muscles can feel different depending on severity. Some patients experience a sudden, stabbing pain during movement, while others notice a gradual soreness that worsens over time. Common symptoms include tenderness, stiffness, muscle weakness, swelling, and difficulty using the injured area. You may also feel spasms or see mild bruising. Muscle strains frequently occur in the legs, arms, shoulders, or neck, especially during sports, physical labor, or repetitive motion.
Getting the injury evaluated promptly is the best way to prevent further damage. Our Kansas City orthopedic urgent care clinic assesses your symptoms and uses in-house imaging to confirm the diagnosis and rule out more serious issues, such as ligament tears or fractures.
What’s the Difference Between a Pulled Muscle and a Sprain?
Though the symptoms may be similar, a pulled muscle and a sprain are different types of injuries that affect various tissues. A pulled muscle involves the tearing or overstretching of muscle fibers or tendons, which connect muscle to bone. Conversely, a sprain affects ligaments, tough bands of tissue that connect bones at a joint.
Both can result in pain, swelling, and limited movement, but the treatment approach may vary depending on which structure is injured. Muscle strains are often caused by overstretching during motion or activity, while sprains are more common after a twist or sudden impact, especially in the ankles, knees, or wrists. Our orthopedic team will determine the exact cause of your injury and tailor a treatment plan to promote the safest and most effective recovery.
When Should I Go to Urgent Care for a Muscle Strain?
Mild muscle pain may improve with rest, ice, and time, but more severe strains require professional care. If your pain is intense, restricts movement, or hasn’t improved in several days, it’s time to visit an orthopedic urgent care clinic. You should also seek immediate attention if the injury occurred during high-impact activity, caused a noticeable deformity, or prevents you from bearing weight on the area.
Orthopedic Health of Kansas City offers same-day orthopedic evaluation and treatment for muscle strains and injuries. Depending on the severity of your strain, our providers may recommend anti-inflammatory medications, physical therapy, or bracing. For complex injuries, we can coordinate follow-up care within our network of orthopedic specialists.
Expert Muscle Injury Care in Kansas City
You don’t have to live with muscle pain or wait for a referral. At Orthopedic Health of Kansas City, we provide expert care for pulled muscles and soft tissue injuries, all under one roof. Our walk-in clinic offers fast, specialized treatment so you can start healing and get back to the activities that matter most. Visit us today for trusted orthopedic urgent care in Kansas City.
Orthopedic Urgent Care
Our Walk-In Orthopedic Urgent Care Clinics are open Monday through Friday from 8 am – 8 pm.
In addition, our NKC and Lenexa locations are open on Saturday from 8 am – 6 pm.