Hamstring Strain

A hamstring strain is an injury to the muscles in the back of the thigh. These muscles run from above the hip to the knee joint. A strain is a series of small tears in the muscle. The tendon attached to the muscle may also have damage.

Hamstring strain is a common sports-related injury.

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A hamstring strain can be caused by:

  • Stretching the muscle too fast and/or too far.
  • Suddenly putting stress on the muscles when they are not ready for the stress.

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Factors that may increase your chance of having hamstring strain include:

  • Participation in sports that require bursts of speed. This includes track sports like running, hurdles, or long jump. Other sports include basketball, soccer, football, or rugby.
  • Previous hamstring injury
  • Fatigue
  • Overexertion
  • Tight hamstrings
  • Imbalance of hamstring and opposing quadriceps muscle strength
  • Using the muscles too much in one day
  • A direct blow to the muscles

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Symptoms may include:

  • Pain and tenderness in the back of the thigh
  • Stiffness in the hamstrings
  • Weakness in the hamstrings
  • Bruising on the back of the thigh, if blood vessels are broken
  • Popping or snapping sensation as the muscle tears

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The doctor will ask about the symptoms, physical activity, and how the injury happened. The injured area will also be examined. Imaging tests may include:

  • X-rays
  • CT scan
  • MRI

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Your physical therapist will design an individualized treatment program specific to the exact nature of your injury and your goals.

The First 24-72 hours

Physical therapy may include: o    Resting the injured area by avoiding activities that cause pain. o    Ice, elevation and compression to reduce pain and swelling.

Range of motion

It is common for an injured area to become stiff following an injury.   As the pain subsides, the therapy program may include gentle flexibility exercises such as stretching.

Muscle strength

Strengthening will be an essential part of the rehabilitation program. The physical therapist will evaluate leg strength and prescribe specific exercises to restore balance and function.

Manual therapy

Many physical therapists are trained in manual therapy techniques that can be targeted to specific areas and injuries.  These techniques are intended to manipulate muscles and joints to improve motion, flexibility, and strength. These techniques may be an essential intervention for those injuries and dysfunctions that are difficult to treat on your own.

Functional training

As you regain flexibility and strength, the body will have to re-learn how to move again.  This process is exact and balances progression with protection of the previously injured area.  The therapist will guide you through this last phase with specific activities that directly relate to the long-term goals.

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To reduce the chance that you will strain your hamstrings:

  • Keep your hamstrings strong so they can absorb the energy of sudden physical stress.
  • Learn the proper technique for exercise and sporting activities. This will decrease stress on all your muscles, including your hamstrings.

Warm up and stretch before vigorous activity.

This content was created using EBSCO’s Health Library

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RESOURCES:
  • American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor

http://familydoctor.org

  • American College of Sports Medicine

http://acsm.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES:
  • Public Health Agency of Canada

http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

  • Canadian Physiotherapy Association

http://www.physiotherapy.ca

REFERENCES:
  • Hamstring muscle injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00408 . Updated July 2009. Accessed April 11, 2013.
  • Hamstring strain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what . Updated February 28, 2013. Accessed April 11, 2013.
  • Heiderscheit BC, Sherry MA, et al. Hamstring strain injuries: recommendations for diagnosis, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther . 2010;40(2):67-81.
  • Mendiguchia J, Brughelli M. A return-to-sport algorithm for acute hamstring injuries. Phys Ther Sport. 2011;12(1):2-14.
  • Mendiguchia J, Alentorn-Geli E, Brughelli M. Hamstring strain injuries: are we heading in the right direction? Br J Sports Med . 2012;46(2):81-85.
  • 10/26/2010 DynaMed’s Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php : Massey T, Derry S, Moore R, McQuay H. Topical NSAIDs for acute pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev . 2010;(6):CD007402.

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