Almost everyone has experienced a sprain or strain at some point in their lives, and operators in the concrete renovation industry are certainly no exception. Whether the injury is due to an on-the job accident or a game of touch football in the backyard, the result is still the same. While these injuries certainly are not life-threatening, they may prevent a worker from performing day-to-day activities on the job, possibly for an extended period. Most strains and sprains can be prevented and, if they do occur, can heal quickly with proper care. This article will define sprains and strains, how to prevent them and what to do in case of injury. One of the most common injuries a worker may suffer from is a muscle strain. A strain involves the stretching or tearing of muscle fibers due to an overload of resistance or an abnormal muscle contraction. A mild strain is characterized by the stretching of the muscle fibers and results in immediate sharp pain, difficulty moving the affected joint and is later followed by soreness, bruising and swelling. (Fig. 1) Moderate to severe strains involve a partial or complete tearing of the muscle fibers and the symptoms are much more severe. A severe strain could result in the loss of function in that joint for an extended period. Common locations for strains are the lower back, neck, hamstring and bicep. Strains are usually caused by lifting a heavy object without the muscles being warmed up or with poor technique, a sudden muscle contraction or an accident involving force, such as a fall or car accident.
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