- It usually occurs in running athletes as a result of sudden hip flexion and knee extension.
- Most commonly seen in rapid acceleration sports like soccer, etc.
- With a hamstring strain, the muscle gets stretched too far or might even start to tear.
- It many occur during exercise that involves a lot of running and jumping or sudden stopping and starting.
- Hamstrings is a group of three muscles that run along the back of your thigh. They allow you to bend your leg at the knee.
Causes -
- Inadequate warm up.
- Strength imbalance (hamstrings to quadriceps)
- Reduced hip extension
- Leg length differences (shorter leg has tighter hamstrings)
- Rapid acceleration activities when running or initiating running activity, jumping rope,tennis, elliptical machine,walking, etc.
Grades of Hamstring Injury -
Grade 1 - a mild muscle pull or strain
Grade 2 - a partial muscle tear
Grade 3 - a complete muscle tear
Symptoms -
- Back thigh pain
- Hamstring tightness
- Pain while sitting
- Stiff legged gait
- Tenderness
- Sudden and severe pain during exercise alongwith a snapping or popping feeling.
Investigations -
- Physical examination to check the movements at hip & knee that aggravates pain.
- Xray
- MRI
Treatment -
- To reduce pain, swelling, joint mobility.
- Restore the level of function before the injury.
- Increase muscle strength and conditioning.
- Rest, ice, NSAIDs, protected weight-bearing.
- Operative procedure as advised by the clinician.
