Go through these in order and stop at the first one that applies. If you are reading this for someone else, answer for them.
1
Is any of this happening now?
Call 911
Call emergency services for chest pain, severe shortness of breath, fainting, or coughing up blood.
These can be signs of a medical emergency rather than a routine muscle strain.
Other emergency signs, for anyone
Someone who is struggling to breathe, gasping, choking, or cannot get words out
Someone who has chest pain, tightness or pressure lasting more than a few minutes
Someone who has sudden weakness or drooping on one side of the face or body, slurred speech, or sudden confusion
Someone who is unconscious, or cannot be woken
Someone who is bleeding heavily and it will not stop with firm pressure
Someone who has had a seizure that will not stop, or does not wake up afterwards
Someone who has lips or skin that look pale, blue, grey or blotchy
Someone who you believe has taken an overdose or swallowed something poisonous
2
Is any of this happening?
Be seen today
Seek urgent medical assessment for:
A visible deformity or a sudden loss of muscle function
A limb that becomes cold, pale, blue, numb, or unusually weak
Rapidly increasing swelling or severe pain
A hot, swollen calf, especially without a clear injury
Fever, spreading redness, drainage, or worsening pain after surgery
3
Does any of this apply?
Book an appointment
Contact your healthcare team during routine hours if pain or swelling is not improving, exercises repeatedly cause a lasting flare, or you remain unable to use the muscle as expected.
Also call if you develop medicine side effects, increasing bruising, or new weakness.
Every sign above is quoted from the sofidex article on Muscle strain treatment. If you are not sure, err upward — it is always reasonable to be checked.