Should I Go to the ER for a Pulled Muscle?
Sprains & Tears
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Jan 13, 2025

When you feel a sharp, sudden pain in your muscle during a workout or daily activity, it’s often hard to tell if the pain is a minor strain that will heal on its own or something more serious that requires immediate care. Muscles can be temperamental, and their ailments can be mysterious, so we don’t blame you for asking yourself “Should I go to the ER for a pulled muscle?”
In most cases, a pulled muscle (or muscle strain) doesn’t require emergency care. However, if you experience severe pain or significant swelling, hear a popping sound during injury, or can’t move the affected area at all, these could be signs of a serious tear that warrant immediate medical attention.
If your pulled muscle isn’t improving with home care, is causing severe pain, or you’re simply unsure about the severity of your injury, don’t hesitate to visit a Complete Care freestanding ER location. Rather than wondering and worrying, it’s always better to get expert medical advice to promote proper healing and prevent further injury.
What does a pulled muscle feel like?
A pulled muscle, also known as a muscle strain, typically causes several distinct sensations that can help you identify the injury. You might experience sudden, sharp pain at the moment of injury, followed by a continuous ache or soreness in the affected area. The injured muscle may feel tender to the touch and could be accompanied by swelling, bruising, or redness. You might also notice weakness in the muscle and a limited range of motion when trying to move the affected area.
The severity of these symptoms can vary significantly depending on the grade of the strain:
- Grade 1 (Mild): You’ll feel mild soreness and slight stiffness, but you should still be able to move the muscle relatively normally.
- Grade 2 (Moderate): The pain is more intense, with noticeable weakness and reduced range of motion.
- Grade 3 (Severe): You’ll experience severe pain, significant swelling, and may be unable to move the affected muscle at all.
It’s important to note that muscle strains can sometimes feel similar to other injuries, like ligament sprains or tendon injuries. If you’re experiencing intense pain, reoccurring muscle pain on the left side of the body, significant swelling, or you can’t move the affected area at all, these could be signs of a more serious injury that requires immediate medical attention.
How to tell if you have a torn muscle vs. a pulled muscle
While all muscle strains involve some degree of tearing, the severity of the damage determines whether you have a simple pull or a significant tear. A pulled muscle typically involves minor damage to muscle fibers, causing pain and discomfort but still allowing movement of the affected area. On the other hand, a torn muscle is more serious and often comes with a distinct set of symptoms that are noticeable at the time of the injury.
Pulled Muscle | Torn Muscle |
Sudden pain during activity or movement Swelling or bruising might occur Muscle stiffness and tightness Difficulty moving normally Tenderness | Severe, sharp pain that doesn’t improve with rest Popping sound at the time of injury Visible dent or gap in the muscle Significant swelling Bruising Possible loss of function in the affected area |
While muscle pulls are extremely common in sports like basketball, football, and soccer during quick sprints or sudden direction changes, you can also experience a pulled muscle without doing anything particularly strenuous — even simple movements or poor posture can cause muscle strain. Recovery can take anywhere from a few days to a couple of weeks with proper rest.
Torn muscles, on the other hand, require proper care, such as rest, physical therapy, and gradual strengthening to heal. If you experience any of the symptoms above, it’s important to seek immediate medical care at Complete Care for proper diagnosis and treatment.
Learn more about what sport has the most injuries and the most common basketball injuries
Should I go to the ER for a pulled muscle?
Most pulled muscles don’t require emergency care and can be treated at home using the RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation) along with over-the-counter pain medication. However, certain symptoms indicate you should seek immediate emergency care.
You should go to the ER if:
- You hear a popping sound at the time of injury
- You experience severe, debilitating pain
- There’s significant swelling or severe bruising
- You can’t move or put any weight on the affected area
- You have signs of infection (redness, warmth, fever)
- The injury affects your ability to perform basic functions
- You have numbness or tingling in the affected area
Remember, it’s better to err on the side of caution when it comes to potentially serious injuries. Minor muscle strains can wait for a regular doctor’s appointment, but getting prompt medical attention for a severe muscle injury is essential, as it can prevent complications and ensure proper healing.
How long does a pulled muscle take to heal?
The healing time for a pulled muscle varies depending on the severity of the strain and how well you follow recovery protocols.
- Mild strains (Grade 1) will typically recover within 2-3 weeks if you allow proper rest and follow the RICE method.
- Moderate strains (Grade 2) typically take 3-6 weeks to heal.
- Severe strains or tears (Grade 3) may require surgery and can take several months to heal completely.
To prevent future muscle strains and ensure proper healing, it’s crucial to gradually return to activity and follow exercise safety tips in the new year. This includes proper warm-ups, maintaining good form, and not pushing yourself too hard too quickly. Many people injure themselves by jumping back into intense workouts before their muscles have fully healed or by skipping proper conditioning after a period of inactivity.
Trust Complete Care for your muscle injury treatment
“Should I go to the ER for a pulled muscle?” Whether you pulled a muscle in your leg or strained your back, it’s natural to wonder if your injury requires emergency care. At Complete Care, our expert medical team is available 24/7 to evaluate and treat muscle injuries of all types and severity levels. We provide quick, efficient care in a comfortable setting, with shorter wait times than traditional emergency rooms.
Don’t hesitate to visit one of our convenient locations in Texas (Austin, Corpus Christi, Dallas/Fort Worth, East Texas, Lubbock, and San Antonio) or in Colorado Springs. Our state-of-the-art facilities are equipped to handle everything from minor strains to severe tears, ensuring you get the right treatment when you need it most.
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