What is Popliteus Muscle Strain?

Three Grades of Muscle Tear/Strain Severity

Muscle Tears can be classified into 3 grades of strain severity:

Minor - Grade 1 Muscle Tears

A grade 1 muscle strain means you have slightly strained muscles. You will generally feel mild cramping which will be a little tender or uncomfortable, but there will be little swelling or loss of strength. If you are resting and careful with activity, a grade 1 strain should clear up within a couple of days to a week or so.

Moderate - Grade 2 Muscle Tears

Grade 2 pulls are more severe and painful than a grade 1 pull. This will involve a partial tearing of fibers in the muscle, tendon, or where the tendon attaches to bone. You will generally experience pain, along with swelling and decreased range of motion and strength; you may find it difficult to walk or run. With a Grade 2 strain, your muscles will often be painful to the touch. Recovery from a Grade 2 muscle strain should occur within about 4 to 6 weeks as long as you are resting and careful not to overdo it.

Severe - Grade 3 Muscle Tearing

Severe strains involve very large tearing and/or a complete tear (rupture) of muscle fibers - usually where the muscle meets tendon or where the tendon attaches to bone. A grade 3 Strain/Pull is very painful and less frequent than the others. You will tend to experience a burning or stabbing pain, a lot of swelling and significant loss of strength. This may prevent you from walking without assistance and likely make it impossible for you to run. Bruising in the injured area is common a few days after the accident. This type of pull or strain will require surgical repair if there is complete detachment. Post surgical recovery generally takes 6 weeks to 3 or 4 months; the recovery time will depend on many factors, some of them being age, overall health, and the level of adherence to post-surgery conservative treatments prescribed by your surgeon/physician. [ie. physiotherapy, prescribed range of motion stretches, cold compression (for inflammation), etc.]

If looking at popliteus related injuries in children, a popliteus tendon separation from the femur (thighbone) is not uncommon*. When tendon separates from bone it is not necessarily clean, and often rips out bits of bone. This is deemend an avulsion fracture.

If you are experiencing a grade 3 tear, you may be interested in reading through "do I need surgery" page.

What Can Be Done for a Popliteus Strain at Home?

The good news is that most cases of popliteus muscle strains will heal with simple home conservative treatments within 6 weeks. Prolonged healing time, if you improperly treated or re-injured, re-ocurring symptoms is an sign that you have a chronic condition. If symptoms persist for greater than 6 months or conservative treatments may surgery may be needed.

It's generally understood by doctors and surgeons, that surgery will introduce more scar tissue into the soft tissue of the muscle & tendon. This added scar tissue will be problematic, requiring PT and conservative treatment options post-surgery. This is why surgery is only performed as a last resort for chronic tendinitis injuries that won't heal with conservative treatment methods.

A General Breakdown of Typical Conservative Home Treatments for Soft Tissue Injury

• Rest - This is important for initial healing to reduce pain, swelling and inflammation in the early stage of your soft tissue injury. Too much rest can also be harmful as joint immobility can actually cause stiffening, overcompensation and atrophy (wasting away of soft tissue). This is why rest should be used when reducing initial pain and swelling, but should not be considered for more long-term conservative treatment.
• Avoid Activity that caused your injury. - While resting the area, it's also important to avoid all activities that may have caused your symptoms - including any repetitive movements (possibly work or hobby related). This may include reduced activities in your job if that has caused your injury. Continuing on with regular activities can increase the severity of your injury, turning a mild to moderate case of muscle strain into a downward spiral of atrophic damage that may eventually severely impact your life. Also, trying to 'work around' your injury will eventually give rise to over-compensation injuries in other areas of your body.
• Use a Cold Compress or Ice Pack - Cold is very effective at reducing pain and inflammation - use at the onset of the injury and during flareups.

• Use a TShellz^® Circulatory Boost Wrap - Once swelling has been reduced, you can use your own blood flow to maximize your rehabilitation. Knowing the body uses blood flow to heal soft tissue, this wrap is intended to introduce heat and an increase in blood flow to the treatment area. This in turn, will assist the body in its own repair process, helping decrease recovery time while reducing re-injury risk. Promoting blood flow and heat to the treatment area will help to minimize the growth of scar tissue, increase tissue flexibility and help reduce onset of atrophy. This is why we recommend a TShellz Wrap treatment before undergoing activity - an increase in flexibility should help reduce risk of further injury while also assisting in the battle against atrophy. Heat via the TShellz Wrap^® is especially helpful in dealing with chronic tendon & muscle injuries or on-going pain and stiffness from a torn muscle.
• Use a Support Wrap or Brace (depending on the area) - to increase comfort and prevent further damage you may want to use a support sleeve or brace to help support the area, reduce risk of further injury and reduce stress on the injured tissue. They can be used until your injury is gone or during active sports for additional stability. Note that these should not be worn at all times as they can limit muscle development, cut off circulation and impede healing of muscle tissue.
• For reducing discomfort while resting, (or to get some sleep) consider a High Quality Back Pillow and/or Knee Pillow for comfort while sleeping or sitting
• Rehabilitative stretching under supervision of a PT or doctor. The intent of this is to provide you with increased range of motion, pain relief and strengthening of the surrounding tissue of the joint. Caution: aggressive PT (such as aggressive stretching or massage) can be harmful - when dealing with a joint that has very limited range of motion, there is high risk to further damage weak and damaged soft tissue. This could lead to the need for surgery, and this is why you need to seek out a PT or physician as they can determine safe stretching parameters for you.
• Stretching - Stretching your joint in PT and at home will help you to regain your range of motion much faster than not stretching at all. Stretching in many ways is key for maintaining good Range of Motion (ROM) in your joint, and stretching can be made much easier with use of a TShellz Wrap^® before to warm up soft tissue, and a Cold Compress or Ice Pack treatment after to prevent any return of swelling and inflammation.

Effective Conservative Treatment Options are Available

If your doctor has decided that your leg pain can be treated with conservative treatment, you can join our many customers who have had great success in treating themselves with the powerful, conservative treatment products we offer through AidMyMuscle. After dealing with initial swelling with a Cold Compress or Ice Pack, visit our shop and get yourself an appropriate pain relief cream / salve (if its too painful), a TShellz Wrap^® to increase circulation in the treatment area... perhaps a knee pillow or back pillow for comfort (depending on your injury), and finally a copper sleeve or brace for compression support while you recover. We even have an excellent line of high quality, natural soaps (no perfume, no dye) and an age defending botanical skincare serum that are all made here in the USA.

If you need to have surgery, talk to your doctor about using these same products for post-surgery recovery. You'll find them effective for comfort (so you can get proper rest), reducing post-surgery inflammation and enhancing range of motion while helping minimize the growth of scar tissue in your popliteus tendon.

No one is immune to muscle strain or tendinitis. You can easily reduce your risk of further injury with consistent, conservative treatments

Stage 1 - Reduce Pain & Swelling with a good cold pack and Arnica Pain Relief Cream

The 1st step for conservative treatment of your popliteus tendinitis is to reduce the swelling to "open up" the area for more blood flow. Anyone in the health-care business knows that your blood supplies the oxygen and much needed nutrients required to heal any soft tissue injuries. This is why for years doctors, trainers and other medical professional have recommended RICE (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) to treat the pain and swelling of fresh injuries, chronic pain, and after any re-injury.

Note: If you are suffering from a tendinosis injury that has been going on for awhile, there may be little to no inflammation. In such cases, you can skip the cold treatment. Anytime you are experiencing significant pain, you may find our Arnica Infusion Pain Relief Cream to be quite helpful.

If you are experiencing pain and swelling in the very early stages of the injury (first 48 to 72 hours), the first step in a conservative treatment protocol would be to focus on reducing the discomfort by applying a quality cold pack to the injured muscle along with a high quality pain relief cream such as our Arnica Infusion Cream.

Not only will you use your cold pack for the first 48 to 72 hours after the injury, but you should also use it during other stages of the healing process. Some examples include...

• after any activity that stresses the leg and/or knee in a moderate way. It is wise to quickly apply cold to not only reduce the pain, but to also minimize tissue damage that may have occurred during the prior event.
• If you have a job that requires you to place some demands on your injured leg. If that is the case, use cold immediately following work and if the opportunity allows - use it for 15 to 20 minutes during lunch or another break time.
• If you are in a post-operative situation where cold compression would be utilized heavily for at least the first few weeks following the procedure. Similarly, if you are scheduled for upcoming surgery, then you will need a high quality cold device to use.

Having a Cold Compress or Ice Pack available at home to use if and when the need arises is helpful. Many of you already do so. However, too many people over-focus on cold while ignoring the most critical aspect to healing - nourishing the injured tissues with a healthy supply of blood flow needed to repair and rebuild the injured tissues.

This leads to the most important recommendation...

Stage 2: Focus on Increasing Blood Flow To The Injured Tissue - As This is The ONLY Way It Will Heal For the Long-Term

Even though the concept is simple, improving blood flow to injured tissues can be difficult. Traditional methods require your muscle to move to promote blood flow (exercise), but that same motion that promotes blood flow can at times lead to making your pain and condition worse.

Promoting blood flow within a muscle or soft tissue injury to help the body heal itself is a concept that has been utilized for centuries. This is where the focus has to be if you are seeking long-term improvement. Oxygen and nutrients, carried within the blood, are critical for the body to heal itself. Without proper blood flow, recovering from an injury or condition will be delayed...sometimes for a very long period of time.

The real challenge is how do you promote blood flow to an injured area without causing further injury?

Now, on to recommendation number two in the journey to heal your injured popliteus...

Stage 3 - In Between Treatments With A TShellz Wrap^®, Apply Our New Fast Acting Pain Relief Cream Called ARNICA INFUSION

Dealing with aches and pains affecting the foot, ankle, leg, knee, hamstring, hip, back, arm, shoulder, elbow, wrist, or hand? If so, then applying the Arnica Infusion to any of these targeted areas will bring about fast relief from the pain and sore tissues. Simply apply a small amount of cream to the body and moments later, you will experience a soothing and comforting sensation over the area.

Arnica Infusion is specially designed to relieve pain due to sore muscles and joints associated with arthritis, backaches, sprains, strains, and bruises. No matter if you are dealing with an acute injury, chronic pain, or a general "flare-up" - you will experience fast relief from pain and inflammation.

A lot of our customers asked us for pain cream, so we focused our resources and came up with what we believe to be the most effective, fast acting, topical pain relief cream you can buy without a prescription.

You are likely familiar with some of the standard topical creams on the market as most of our customers use them. They are mass marketed and even found in most department stores... Well, we are here to say that Arnica Infusion goes many steps beyond what they offer.

Made in the USA at an FDA registered manufacturing facility, you can be assured that Arnica Infusion is both safe and effective. We only source top grade ingredients while implementing strict quality control checks during every step of the production process. Expect the same high quality that MendMeShop customers have been accustomed to since we started the company in 2005.

The "Cool Blue" formula is the perfect balance between the smooth application of a cream and the effective absorbing factor of a gel. It is not too thick and not too thin - just the right texture. Best of all, it feels very nice on the skin!

Each application of Arnica Infusion feels so comforting and soothing, we are certain it will become an item you will not want to live without.

Arnica Infusion Ingredients

The Arnica Infusion formula is based on a combination of scientific research and the use of high quality ingredients. The properties within the formula were chosen for their pain relief, anti-inflammatory, and soothing qualities.

The acting ingredients within the formula include ones many of us are familiar with; along with ones that have not received a lot of publicity (only in research circles). Extensive testing resulted in a blending of ingredients that provides the most synergistic of benefits.

The notable ingredients in the Arnica Infusion formula include:

• Arnica - powerful anti-inflammatory, speeds recovery, enhances circulation
• Menthol - provides deep penetrating pain relief with a nice cooling sensation
• Vitamin B6 - promotes normal nerve function
• MSM - supports healthy connective tissues, anti-inflammatory
• Ilex Leaf Extract - increases circulation, skin conditioner
• Vitamin E - anti-inflammatory, enhances circulation, hydrates the skin
• Aloe - anti-inflammatory properties, soothes the skin
• Tea Tree - enhances penetration of ingredients

Extensive quality control procedures during the manufacturing process ensure the ingredients and final product are both safe and effective. We would not stake our reputation on anything but the best.

A Note On OverCompensation

The longer your injury endures, the greater the risk of running into serious overcompensation injuries.

To Stop Re-Injury & Reduce the Risk of a More Serious Overcompensation Injury, You Need to Heal Quickly & Completely!

Anyone in need of rapid recovery and complete healing must consider a comprehensive treatment plan that includes an effective means to minimize swelling and inflammation yet also stimulate healing and tissue elasticity. Based on this, our typical advice is as follows:

Conservative Treatment Tools Our Clients Have Used to Help Limit Damage & Boost The Body's Soft Tissue Repair Process at Home:

• A Cold Compress or Ice Pack to reduce inflammation wherever there is pain and/or swelling (as soon as possible).
• A Leg/Arm TShellz Wrap^® [or a Knee TShellz Wrap^® if the location is at or near the knee] to increase blood-flow to the targeted treatment area (a Localized Enhanced Circulatory Response^® Treatment).
• MendMeShop Arnica Pain Cream for powerful, temporary relief of pain due to sore muscles and joints.
• Perhaps a High Quality Back Pillow and/or Knee Pillow for comfort while sleeping or sitting
• If the injury is at or around the knee, a Knee Support Sleeve for light joint compression and support for knee instability.
• An Exercise & Stretching Plan to prevent muscle atrophy and shortened tendons in the Knee joint. A proper plan will increase elasticity and strengthen the muscles and tendons in the hip, knee, and ankle.

Conservative treatment tools just like these have been used successfully by thousands of leg strain sufferers - just like you.

The TShellz Wrap^®: Intended to Enhance Blood Flow in the Treatment Area

We believe the use of TShellz Wraps^® for boosting blood flow to soft tissue in the area of application is one of the most under-utilized home treatment options available on the market today. We have client after client that have tried many options out there and have been amazed at how effective and fast the TShellz Wrap treatment has helped in their recovery.

Increased Blood Flow Stimulates the Bodys' Ability to Heal

With regular use of the Leg/Arm TShellz Wrap:

• Your pain will be reduced*.
• Due to increased blood flow, soft tissue in the treatment area on the leg (and/or arm) will be expected to recover at an accelerated rate with reduced potential for re-injury*.
• Tissue in the treated area should experience a larger range of motion and increased extensibility of collagen tissue* due to the heat effect on soft tissue. This should translate into a reduced rate of re-injury occurrence as soft tissue is known to lengthen and become more flexible when exposed to warm temperature. (*Chapter 9 of "Therapeutic Heat and Cold", 4th edition. - Ed. Justus F. Lehmann, M.D., Williams, and Wilkin)

*Know that every personal soft tissue injury is unique and the TShellz Wrap may not work for everyone. This is why we offer a 60-day money back return on all our TShellz Wrap devices.

...A Quick Recap of Benefits That Can Be Achieved Via the Leg/Arm TShellz Wrap^®..

• Can be used on either the upper or lower leg, and the upper and lower arm as well - very versatile
• It can be used before exercise to warm up tissue in the treatment area to reduce the risk of injury
• FDA Registered medical device for use in home or clinics - very high quality
• Increases flexibility of tissues (reducing the re-injury factor)
• It soothes pain and whisks away toxins
• Carbon fiber Energy Pad is strong, lightweight, and flexible - contours very easily
• A boost in blood flow helps maximize the body's ability to recover from soft tissue damage. This can be beneficial in saving time and money when associated with doctor or physio visits
• A boost in blood flow will maximize the body's ability to recover quickly. This can be beneficial in post-surgery rehabilitation, getting you back to work faster. Do not use until at least 6 weeks after surgery, and only after approval from your doctor.

Surgery & Post-Surgery

Doctors and Surgeons are always improving the techniques used in surgery, and results from surgery now are much more positive than they were in the past. However, all surgeries introduce scar tissue, and recovery from knee surgery can be less than ideal and take longer than anticipated.

If you do wind up getting surgery, know that rehabilitation at-home while attending regular physical therapist (PT) visits or doctor appointments is vital for your overall recovery.

Consistent exercise and conservative treatment on a daily basis during your rehabilitation while working with your doctor or physical therapist is key. This is why you should seriously consider maximizing your recovery by using the TShellz Wrap^® at home once you are approved for PT.

The more consistent you work at enhancing blood flow to surgically repaired soft tissue, the more consistent the healing process will be. Nourishing the tissues will more oxygen and nutrients (which are carried through the blood stream) will give the body a better ability to produce new, healthy collagen. In effect, you will help the body produce stronger tissues while potentially reducing the number of setbacks that can occur following surgical procedures.

We Receive Calls All the Time From Customers Who Simply Want To Thank Us For Introducing Them To Our Amazing Products!

Let me tell you, we appreciate all the feedback we have received over the years. We have had many medical professionals, athletes and everyday people call and write to tell us about their positive experiences with our devices and the company in general. It never gets old hearing about the successes and it provides us with the motivation to continue doing what we do best - provide individuals with options to heal from the comfort of their own home.

We Can Get You Started For Less Than The Cost Of A Few Physical Therapy Treatments

Think about it – you can now have the ability to treat your pain from the comfort of your own home while saving money in the process.

Best of all, you are fully protected when making a purchase from us as we offer a no-hassle 60 day, full money back guarantee.

The Next Step Is Up To You!

Living with pain is never easy as it affects your entire lifestyle. Nothing is more important than making the proper decision when it comes to treating your muscle injury. Most methods only mask the problems or provide temporary relief; they do not treat the pain at its source.

AidMyMuscle stands out in this regard as our goal is to help you heal for the longer-term.

The bottom line is, you are welcome to try our products for a full 2 months. If you do not receive the benefits that others have experienced after using the product as directed, simply call us to initiate a return and we will issue a prompt & full refund. There will be no hassle and no hard feelings.

The fastest option you have to get our product into your hands as soon as possible is by placing your order online - at this very moment..

Place your order on-line through our ultra-secure website by clicking the image below.

Or, Call Our Office. We are open Monday to Friday to allow you place an order over the phone. Simply call toll free 1-866-237-9608 to place an order with one of our knowledgeable Product Advisors. They have the ability to answer all your questions...ensuring you only receive the products you need.

North America Toll Free 1-866-237-9608
Outside North America +1-705-532-1671

If you choose to order through our online shop, know that we keep no credit card data on file. Once the transaction is completed, the credit information disappears from our internal systems.

As you can see, ordering from us is a very easy and safe process, no matter if choosing to order on-line or over the phone.

Are you still unsure about placing an order? let me address some questions that may causing some hesitation...

What is the success rate of the TShellz Wraps^®? Do they really work?

We try and keep in touch with a large percentage of our customers, and we encourage them to do the same. In doing so, we have received a lot of feedback as we have been in the business since 2008.

We can say that the return rate on our products is only around 5 to 10% any given month. That is exceptional by anyone's standards. Therefore, we can safely indicate that the overwhelming majority of people who purchase from us do achieve benefits with our products.

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