Muscle tear of the bony skeleton

A muscle tear is an acute or chronic soft tissue injury that occurs to muscle.

It is also referred to as strain.

The muscle becomes overstretched and places more physical stress than it can exert on it.

The tears can occur partially or completely.

Acute tears tend to happen with recent trauma or injury whereas chronic tears are related to repetitive movement over a long period of time.

Muscle tears are classified by degree of severity: first degree (mildest - some tearing still with full range of motion), second degree (moderate - torn, painful with limited motion) and third degree (severe - torn with limited or no movement).