Hamstring Injuries
Hamstring injury or strain is a common injury in most sports. Athletes often describe it as a sudden jerk or a pull that had typically occurred during a fast sprint with a sudden change in direction.
Hamstring Injuries
Hamstring injury or strain is a common injury in most sports. Athletes often describe it as a sudden jerk or a pull that had typically occurred during a fast sprint with a sudden change in direction. The severity of a hamstring injury varies from a dull uncomfortable pain during strenuous activity in minor strains to a full-blown tear with subcutaneous hemorrhage, and inability to walk and even sit. It has been studied that the risk of hamstring injury is more in men than in women and the risk progressively increases with age and a history of prior injury.
What is the Hamstring?
Hamstrings are very large groups of muscles, located at the back of the thigh. The hams help in bending the knee when walking or running. In sports, however, it plays an even more important role as it slows down the swinging leg, giving control to the leg.
What causes Hamstring Injuries?
Typical Hamstring injuries could be of the stretching type caused by a sudden change in directions (pivot) when running or deceleration type caused by sudden deceleration when running which requires the hams to produce enormous forces to counteract the run.
How is a Hamstring Injury Diagnosed?
A trained sports medicine doctor or a physiotherapist can very easily diagnose a hamstring injury by a simple physical examination and asking a few questions about how the injury occurred. Often, however, you may be prescribed an MRI to identify the severity of the strain or tear.
What To Do When a Hamstring Pull/Strain Happens?
If you do not have the support of a trained medical professional, stop exercising right away. The RICE protocol (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) can be carried out for up to 48 hours at home. Watch out for signs like severe swelling, large bruising, and tingling-type sensations which are considered RED FLAGS and require immediate medical attention.
Physiotherapy and Rehabilitation for Hamstring Injury.
Depending on the severity of the injury, you could be prescribed painkillers and anti-inflammatory medication for a few days. Rest and Physiotherapy of up to 4-12 weeks are required. Physiotherapy consists of pain management methods like ultrasound therapy, dry needling, and deep tissue work. For long-term success a comprehensive rehabilitation program comprising of stretching of muscles around the leg, strengthening, proprioceptive and balance training exercises. The risk of recurrence of hamstring injury is very high and requires close supervision.
Can Hamstring Injuries be Prevented?
Although it is impossible to prevent any injury, a good lower body pelvis and core strength with a combination of flexibility training helps reduce the risks
At FLEXITUDE, our physiotherapists have been successfully able to treat several Hamstring injuries of varied intensity and help active adults and athletes return to their preinjury level and performance.
Sources:
- Ernlund L, Vieira LA. Hamstring injuries: update article. Rev Bras Ortop. 2017 Aug 1;52(4):373-382. doi: 10.1016/j.rboe.2017.05.005. PMID: 28884093; PMCID: PMC5582808.
- Danielsson, A., Horvath, A., Senorski, C. et al. The mechanism of hamstring injuries – a systematic review. BMC Musculoskelet Disord 21, 641 (2020).