The duration of a muscle strain recovery depends largely on the severity of the injury:
- Mild strains (Grade I) : These involve minor damage to muscle fibers and typically heal within a few days to a few weeks, often around 4 to 6 weeks
- Moderate strains (Grade II) : These involve more significant damage to muscle fibers, causing pain and swelling, and usually take several weeks to a few months to heal, commonly up to 8 to 10 weeks or around 2 to 3 months
- Severe strains (Grade III) : These are complete or near-complete tears of the muscle or tendon, causing severe pain and swelling. Healing can take several months, often 4 to 6 months or longer, and may require surgery and extended rehabilitation
The healing process involves phases starting with inflammation (lasting about 1-5 days), followed by regeneration and remodeling phases that can last several months to over a year at the cellular level
. In summary, recovery times can range from a few days in mild cases to several months in severe cases, with most moderate strains improving within 6 to 10 weeks but continuing to heal internally for months afterward
