Muscle Strain Grade II is best described as which of the following?

• A. Multiple fibers torn; painful contraction; palpable divot; swelling/discoloration
• B. Few fibers torn; tenderness; full ROM present
• C. No tear
• D. Complete rupture

Answer: (A)

Grade II muscle strain is a moderate partial tear of muscle fibers. This level of injury disrupts a substantial portion of the muscle, enough to cause pain with contraction and weakness, and to produce visible signs such as a palpable divot where fibers have torn apart, along with swelling and bruising. Because some fibers remain intact, the muscle can still contract, but movement is painful and strength is reduced, though ROM is usually present rather than completely lost. This distinguishes it from a Grade I strain, which involves only a few torn fibers with mild tenderness and near-normal function, and from a Grade III rupture, which is a complete tear with a marked loss of function and often a noticeable gap. The description of multiple fibers torn with painful contraction, a palpable divot, and swelling/discoloration best fits this moderate partial tear.