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Hamstring Strain
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What is a Hamstring Strain?
Calf Elbow Foot Groin Hamstring Hand Headache Heel Hip Jaw (TMJ)
A hamstring strain is a common leg injury involving a tear in one or more of the hamstring muscles. A hamstring strain can range from mild to very severe involving a complete tear of the hamstring muscle. You have four hamstring muscles: semimembranosus and semitendinosus (medially) and biceps femoris -
Knee Leg Ligament Muscle
short and long heads (laterally).
What Causes a Hamstring Strain? Common reasons for hamstring strain or injury can be categorised as primary or secondary.
Neck Pain Sciatica
Primary
Shin
Poor timing-intermuscular coordination and eccentric strength in the hamstring muscles during the switch
Shoulder
between late leg recovery and initial leg approach in the swing phase of sprinting (Woods et al. 2004).
Tendonitis
Lack of “stiffness” and eccentric strength in the hamstring muscles during the ground contact phase of running
Thigh
(Bosch and Klomp 2005). “Stiffness” refers to the ability of the hamstring muscle to absorb shock and
Upper Back
rebound. Dropping a golf ball onto concrete is an example of stiffness, it immediately rebounds off the surface.
Vertigo Wrist
Previous hamstring strain is a very good indicator of potential for future injury (Crosier 2004).
Secondary Poor running mechanics. This consists primarily of overstriding or poor pelvic control, which puts the hamstrings in a vulnerable position at ground contact. Improper warm-up. Your warm-up must be active and dynamic to prepare the hamstring muscles for the forces involved. Passive stretching is only one segment of warm-up. Inappropriate training loads. Your hamstrings are primarily fast twitch Type II fibres that fatigue quickly. High-speed work should be done early in the workout, as close to warm-up as possible to avoid fatigue.
Ashgrove Ph 3366 4221 Bulimba Ph 3899 1226 Clayfield Ph 3862 4544 Loganholme Ph 3801 3417 Mansfield Ph 3849 3099 Rochedale Ph 3841 0277 Salisbury Ph 3275 1044 Sandgate Ph 3269 1122
Fatigue (neural and local muscle).
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Lower back pathology. Abnormalities of the lumbar spine or poor pelvic control that can cause nerve dysfunction and subsequent muscle weakness can predispose you to injury. Playing surfaces. A wet slippery surface will put more strain on the hamstring due to slipping.
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What are the Symptoms of a Hamstring Strain?
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Mild hamstring strains may feel more like a tightness or low-grade ache in your hamstring. Severe hamstring strains can be extremely painful, making it impossible to walk or even stand. Other possible symptoms of a hamstring strain are:
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Sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping or popping feeling. Pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking, straightening the leg, or bending over.
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Hamstring tenderness. Bruising.
How is a Hamstring Strain Diagnosed? On examination, your physiotherapist or sports doctor will look for signs of pain on hamstring contraction, reduced hamstring flexibility, tenderness or a palpable lump or gap within the hamstring muscle bulk. Pulled hamstrings are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on severity. Ultrasound scan and MRI are able to identify the location and extent of your hamstring tear.
Grade 1 Hamstring Strain With a grade 1 hamstring strain, you may have tightness in the back of the thigh but will be able to walk normally. You will be aware of some hamstring discomfort and unable to run at full speed. There will be mild swelling and spasm. Bend your knee against resistance is unlikely to reproduce much pain.
Grade 2 Hamstring Strain With a grade 2 hamstring strain, your walking pattern will be affected and you will most likely be limping. Sudden twinges of hamstring pain during activity will be present. You may notice some hamstring muscle swelling and your hamstring will be tender to palpate. It will also be painful for you to bend your knee against resistance.
Grade 3 Hamstring Strain A grade 3 hamstring strain is a severe injury involving a tear to half or all of the hamstring muscle. You may need crutches to walk and will feel severe pain and weakness in the muscle. Swelling will be noticed immediately and bruising will usually appear within 24 hours. Diagnostic MRI may also be used to specifically identify the grade of hamstring tear and its exact location.
Beware of Referred Hamstring Pain! Due to your sciatic nerve passing through the hamstring muscle group, a lower back injury or some other injury that pinches the sciatic nerve can replicate the symptoms. It is therefore vital that you seek a professional diagnosis from an expert in hamstring and back injuries.
Hamstring Strain Treatment Many patients with a hamstring start to feel better within a few days of the injury. However, there is an extremely high hamstring re-injury rate due to a poor rehabilitation process. Hamstring strains are one injury that professional guidance is highly recommended for both an accurate diagnosis but also provide you with the best chance of avoiding repeat hamstring injuries. Repeat hamstring injuries have unfortunately curtailed many a bidding athlete’s career.
Hamstring Physiotherapy Treatment Share this page
Image: Dry needling performed by a physiotherapist under ultrasound guidance. Your physiotherapy treatment will aim to: Reduce hamstring pain and inflammation. Normalise your muscle range of motion and extensibility. Strengthen your knee muscles and hamstrings. Strengthen your lower limb muscles: calves, hip and pelvis muscles. Normalise lumbo-pelvic control and stability - a co-factor in many hamstring strains. Normalise your neurodynamics to enable your sciatic nerve to pass freely without scar adhesions. Improve your game speed, proprioception, agility and balance. Improve your technique and function eg running, sprinting, jumping, hopping and landing. Minimise your chance of hamstring re-injury.
Hamstring Strain Treatment Options Early Injury Treatment Avoid the HARM Factors Soft Tissue Injury? What are the Healing Phases? What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain? Acupuncture and Dry Needling Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment Core Exercises Gait Analysis Biomechanical Analysis Balance Enhancement Exercises Proprioception & Balance Exercises Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises Medications? Orthotics Soft Tissue Massage Brace or Support Electrotherapy & Local Modalities Foam Roller Heat Packs Kinesiology Tape Neurodynamics Prehabilitation Running Analysis Strength Exercises Stretching Exercises Supportive Taping & Strapping TENS Machine Video Analysis Yoga
Kinesio Taping for a Hamstring Strain Many patients will try a thigh support or kinesio taping for hamstring strains. They provide confidence, warmth and proprioceptive feedback, which should reduce your likelihood of hamstring re-injury. More info here... kinesio taping
Hamstring Surgery Hamstring surgery is rarely required. It appears limited to complete ruptures or to remove scar tissue from chronic hamstring tears.
Hamstring Strain Recovery Times While every hamstring injury and the demands of your sport differ, here are some general hamstring strain recovery times when you follow an optimal physiotherapist-guided rehabilitation program. Grade 1 - 1 to 3 weeks Grade 2 - 4 to 8 weeks Grade 3 - 3 to 6 months. These may also require surgery. For more information, please ask the advice of your physiotherapist.
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Hamstring Strain Treatment Options Early Injury Treatment Avoid the HARM Factors Soft Tissue Injury? What are the Healing Phases? What to do after a Muscle Strain or Ligament Sprain? Acupuncture and Dry Needling Sub-Acute Soft Tissue Injury Treatment Core Exercises Gait Analysis Biomechanical Analysis Balance Enhancement Exercises Proprioception & Balance Exercises Agility & Sport-Specific Exercises Medications? Orthotics Soft Tissue Massage Brace or Support Electrotherapy & Local Modalities Foam Roller Heat Packs Kinesiology Tape Neurodynamics Prehabilitation Running Analysis Strength Exercises Stretching Exercises Supportive Taping & Strapping TENS Machine Video Analysis Yoga
Helpful Products for Hamstring Strain
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Related Injuries Muscle Injuries Corked Thigh Thigh Strain Hamstring Strain ITB Syndrome Muscle Strain (Muscle Pain) Cramps DOMS - Delayed Onset Muscle Soreness
Other Knee-Related Conditions Runner's Knee Fibromyalgia Stress Fracture Overuse Injuries Restless Legs Syndrome
Referred Pain Sciatica
FAQs for Hamstring Strain Common Physiotherapy Treatment Techniques What is Pain? Physiotherapy & Exercise When Should Diagnostic Tests Be Performed? Massage Styles and their Benefits What Causes Post-Exercise Muscular Pain? Can Kinesiology Taping Reduce Your Swelling and Bruising? Heat Packs. Why does heat feel so good? How Can You Prevent a Future Leg Injury? How Much Treatment Will You Need? Post-Run Soreness: Should You Be Concerned? Runners: How to Reduce Your Knee Stress Sports Injury? What to do? When? What are the Common Massage Therapy Techniques? What are the Early Warning Signs of an Injury? What is a TENS Machine? What is Chronic Pain? What is Nerve Pain? What is Sports Physiotherapy? What's the Benefit of Stretching Exercises? When Can You Return to Sport? Why Kinesiology Tape Helps Reduce Swelling and Bruising Quicker
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Last updated 19-Jan-2018 06:06 PM
Ashgrove Ph 3366 4221 Bulimba Ph 3899 1226 Clayfield Ph 3862 4544 Loganholme Ph 3801 3417 Mansfield Ph 3849 3099 Rochedale Ph 3841 0277 Salisbury Ph 3275 1044
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