SHENTON FAMILY MEDICAL CLINIC (CLEMENTI)
| ACUTE BACK MUSCLE STRAIN |
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Can you spot what is wrong? Which side of the back is in trouble? Both
pictures show asymmetry between the right and left loin (para-vertebral)
muscles. The problem site is the right side which looked "puff-up" and
tense as opposed to the naturally relaxed left. This is because the
muscles are cramped up and stiff due to strain injury. Hence, it causes
the patient to suffer from pain and decreased movement.
Learning Points
Back pain is very common. Invariably it is caused by a combination of
poor ergonomic, posture and inappropriate use of skeletal muscles.
Some muscle aches may not be as dramatic or obvious as this case, but
it illustrates to us the muscle reactions that accompany every event of
strain and sprain.
