A hamstring strain (or pulled hamstring) occurs when one or more of the muscles along the back of your thigh is overstretched and injured, causing pain, inflammation and, in some cases, bruising or muscle tearing. The hamstrings traverse two critical joints — the hip and the knee — that also mean they’re more vulnerable to strain during activities that involve rapid or forceful motions.
Hamstring Pulls are usually classified into one of three grades of severity:
Grade 1 (Mild) Damage : Little pain with minimal swelling and loss of function
Grade 2 (Moderate Strain): A partial tear that will cause moderate pain, swelling, and some difficulty moving the leg.
Grade 3 (Severe Sprain / Complete Tear): Serious, complete tear of the hamstring tendon, leading to extensive pain, swelling and bruising. Surgery can be necessary.
- If you hurt your hamstring, you could have the following symptoms:
- Sudden onset of a sharp pain behind the thigh, sometimes described as a “pop.”
- There is bruising and swelling in the area of the injury.
- Pain from stretching the knee or bending the hip.
- Loss of strength and mobility impacting your gait and ability to walk or run with proper form.
Hamstring injures are most often the result of a forceful eccentric contractionfrom hip flexion and knee extension, which cause tension to the hamstring muscles. This is why you do these things:
It is a phenomenon seen in sprinting or running at similar velocities.
Jumping or leaping
Lifting heavy things or moving suddenly
Football, basketball, etc. Players of these sports in particular have high risk of hamstring injury since these sports are very aggressive.
At Sports Orthopedics, we provide the best Hamstring Strain Treatment so you can recover fast and safely and get back in the game without fear of your problem coming back. We offer the full range of care for your hamstring, from a mild referring strain to a moderate-partial or complete tear from our seasoned physical therapists to our orthopedic experts.
Treatment options include:
Rest& Recovery: Relaxing the muscle so it has time to repair itself, with tips on how to get into the right position and how to apply compression.
Physiotherapy: Specific physio exercises to strengthen and stretch the muscle, preventing further injury.
Pain: Anti-inflammatory drugs and ice to alleviate pain and reduce swelling.
Surgery (Grade 3 Injuries): If the tendon is torn all the way, then surgery might be the best way to fix the injured one to restore the functions. Our experts guarantee that you are diagnosed early and that surgery is soon followed for best outcomes.
Sports Rehabilitation: Recovery exercises to regain strength, flexibility and endurance, tailored to athletes.
Expert Treatment: Guided by sports medicine experts with extensive experience in hamstring strains and muscle injuries.
Full Spectrum: Diagnosed through rehabilitation, our programming is customized to the severity of your injury and the goals you have for your recovery.
State-Of-The-Art Technology: Utilization of the latest in diagnostic and treatment options for optimal results.
Quick Recovery: Our philosophy is always to be proactive with early treatment and rehabilitation to provide a speedy return.
Q: How do I know if I have a hamstring strain?
A: The major symptoms of a hamstring strain include sudden pain in the back of the thigh, swelling, bruising and an inability to move the leg. If you are having those symptoms, seek a professional who can give you a definitive diagnosis.
Q: Can a hamstring strain be treated without surgery?
A: Yes, most hamstring strains will respond to conservative treatment such as rest, physiotherapy and pain relief. But in severe cases (Grade 3) surgery may be needed.
Q: What is the recovery time for a hamstring strain?
A: The recovery time is case-specific based on the extent of strain. These injuries are classified as Grade 1 when healing generally takes 2-4 weeks and as Grade 2 with healing lasting 4-6 weeks. Grade 3 strains might take a few months, especially if surgery is needed.
Q: What are the most effective ways to avoid a hamstring injury?
A: Appropriate dynamic warm-up, flexibility, strengthening and incremental progression of activity level are important in preventing hamstring strains. Physical therapy on a regular basis also very well may be an aid to the healthy condition and flexibility of muscles.
