Muscle strain or bruising

A muscle strain is an injury to a muscle or a tendon – the tissue that connects muscles to bones. Minor motorcycle injuries may overstretch a muscle or tendon, while more severe accidents may result in tears in these tissues.

Sometimes called pulled muscles, strains commonly occur in the lower back, the shoulder and in the muscles at the back of the thigh, known as the hamstrings.

What’s the difference between a strain and a sprain?

The difference between a strain and a sprain is that a strain involves an injury to a muscle or band of tissue that attaches a muscle to a bone, while a sprain injures the bands of tissue that connect two bones together.

Initial treatment includes rest, ice, compression and elevation, or RICE, as it is sometimes known. Mild strains can be successfully treated at home but severe strains sometimes require hospitalisation or even surgery.

Even though muscle strains and bruising are relatively minor motorcycle accident injuries, it is important to seek medical advice to prevent any future problems. Strains can still take time to recover and may result in patients requiring a period of rest and recuperation, which may mean they are not able to work or operate a car or machinery etc.