肌肉损伤可因挫伤、拉伤或撕裂伤引起。[9]Garrett WE Jr. Muscle strain injuries. Am J Sports Med. 1996;24(suppl 6):2-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8947416?tool=bestpractice.com[10]Jarvinen MJ, Lehto MU. The effects of early mobilisation and immobilisation on the healing process following muscle injuries. Sports Med. 1993;15:78-89.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8446826?tool=bestpractice.com
在所有运动相关损伤中,90% 以上为挫伤或拉伤。[10]Jarvinen MJ, Lehto MU. The effects of early mobilisation and immobilisation on the healing process following muscle injuries. Sports Med. 1993;15:78-89.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8446826?tool=bestpractice.com
当肌肉突然遭受较重的压缩力时(例如,受到直接撞击)会发生肌肉挫伤。 这类肌肉外伤通常发生于身体接触运动中,而短跑和跳跃是导致肌肉拉伤的最常见活动。[9]Garrett WE Jr. Muscle strain injuries. Am J Sports Med. 1996;24(suppl 6):2-8.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/8947416?tool=bestpractice.com[11]Crisco JJ, Jokl P, Heinen GT, et al. A muscle contusion injury model: biomechanics, physiology, and histology. Am J Sports Med. 1994;22:702-710.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7810797?tool=bestpractice.com
拉伤时,作用于肌肉的过大拉伸力导致肌纤维过度紧张,从而使近肌肉肌腱联合处断裂。 肌肉拉伤通常涉及跨 2 个关节行使功能的浅层肌肉,如股直肌、半腱肌和腓肠肌。[11]Crisco JJ, Jokl P, Heinen GT, et al. A muscle contusion injury model: biomechanics, physiology, and histology. Am J Sports Med. 1994;22:702-710.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/7810797?tool=bestpractice.com[12]Kalimo H, Rantanen J, Jarvinen M. Muscle injuries in sports. Bailliere's Clin Orthop. 1997;2:1-24.[13]Kujala UM, Orava S, Jarvinen M. Hamstring injuries. Current trends in treatment and prevention. Sports Med. 1997;23:397-404.http://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/pubmed/9219322?tool=bestpractice.com
韧带损伤通常为扭伤,产生原因一般是拉伸力过大导致不同程度的扭伤。