A musculoskeletal injury resulting from overexertion that tears muscle fibers, causing localized pain without significant swelling is a

• A. Strain
• B. Contusion
• C. Avulsion
• D. Sprain

Answer: (A)

When muscle fibers are stretched or torn from overexertion, the injury is a strain. The key feature is tearing within the muscle or its tendon, producing localized pain and often weakness, with little or no immediate significant swelling. In the scenario described, overexertion causes tearing of muscle fibers and localized pain without much swelling, which fits a strain best.

Contusion results from blunt trauma that causes a bruise and usually more noticeable swelling or discoloration. Avulsion involves the tendon or a piece of bone being pulled away at the attachment, which is typically more dramatic and occurs at a specific insertion. A sprain is an injury to a ligament around a joint, commonly with swelling and joint instability.