Hamstring Strain

What is a hamstring strain?

The hamstrings are the three muscles which form the back of the thigh. They attach to the pelvis at the top and to the Tibia (shin bone) or Femur (smaller, outer shin bone) below the knee. They have two jobs: To extend the hip (take the leg back); and to flex (bend) the knee.

A hamstring strain is a tear in one of these muscles. This injury is sometimes also called a pulled hamstring. The three muscles which make up the hamstring group are Semitendinosus, Semimembranosus and Biceps femoris.

Hamstring strains occur most regularly at speed and so are common in sprinters and in sports which require bursts of speed and acceleration, such as football and rugby. The following increase the risk of a hamstring strain:

• Age: Older people tend to be less flexible and recover from injury takes longer.
• Old Injuries: Once you have injured the hamstring once it is more likely to occur again. This can be avoided with thorough rehabilitation.
• Flexibility: Studies have shown that people who are more flexible are at less risk of muscle strains.
• Strength: Weaker hamstrings are more likely to tear.
• Fatigue: When a player is fatigued he/she is more susceptible to injury

Symptoms

• Pain in the hamstring, usually when sprinting or changing direction quickly.
• Pain causes you to stop straight away.
• Even walking may be difficult and painful.
• There may be swelling and bruising depending on the severity
• The back of the thigh will feel tight

Hamstring strains, like all muscle strains are rated, depending on severity, as either grade 1, 2 or 3.

Grade 1

• A minor tear where only a few muscle fibres are torn.
• Pain at the time and discomfort following.
• No bruising and minimal or no swelling.
• Tightness in the back of the thigh

Grade 2

• A moderate tear
• Pain at the time and constant twinges following
• Pain on walking - causing a limp
• Flexing the knee against resistance causes pain
• Swelling and some bruising present

Grade 3

• Most or all of the fibres are torn
• Severe pain, swelling and bruising
• Inability to walk unaided

Treatment

Treatment of a hamstring injury should start straight away to help limit the damage and reduce pain:

• Use R.I.C.E (Rest, Ice, Compress, Elevate) technique
• It is important to rest the hamstring as much as possible for the first few days. However, gentle stretching and mobilising exercises can begin as soon as they are pain-free.

See a sports injury specialist who may:

• Use sports massage techniques to speed up recovery.
• Use ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
• Give you rehabilitation exercises such as stretches and resistance work.

Further Information

• Hamstring strain - for further information on treatment including rehabilitation, taping, sports massage, stretching and more visit sportsinjuryclinic.net