While attempting to outrun an opponent for the possession of a free ball in a soccer match, Frank suddenly experienced a piercing sensation in the rear of his left leg. Subsequently, he collapsed to the ground and, despite his efforts to rise and move, he stumbled once more, necessitating assistance to exit the field.
The following day, Frank visited a doctor who inquired about his condition, inspected his leg, and diagnosed him with a grade 2 strain, which is a partial tear of one of the muscles in his hamstring.
What Is a Hamstring Strain?
The hamstring consists of three muscles, namely the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus, which extend from the thigh to the knee. They aid in knee bending and hip extension. When these muscles are excessively stretched and torn, it results in a hamstring strain, also referred to as a pulled hamstring.
Hamstring strains vary in severity, ranging from mild cases with minimal pain and quick recovery, to more severe instances requiring surgical intervention and the use of crutches for an extended period of time.
What Are the Symptoms of a Hamstring Strain?
If you injure your hamstring while running, it is highly likely that you will be immediately aware of it. You will experience a sudden, intense pain and potentially a popping sensation at the rear of your leg. Your ability to continue running will be impaired, and there is a possibility of falling.
Additional indications of a hamstring strain comprise:
- pain in the back of your thigh when you bend or straighten your leg
- tenderness, swelling, and bruising in the back of the thigh
- weakness in your leg that lasts for a long time after the injury
How Is a Hamstring Strain Diagnosed?
A trainer or a physical therapist might diagnose a hamstring strain on the sidelines. Additionally, scheduling an appointment with a doctor is common in the case of a hamstring strain. The doctor will assess your leg and inquire about the cause and intensity of the injury.
The examination will assist in determining the level of strain you are experiencing.
- Grade 1; this is a mild strain. You may experience some pain when you use your leg, but it will be minor and there will be minimal swelling.
- Grade 2; this is a partial tear of one or more of the hamstring muscles. This may cause you to limp when you walk and feel some pain during activity. You might see some swelling and bruising, and you might not be able to straighten your leg all the way.
- Grade 3; this is a complete tear of one or more of the hamstring muscles. You’ll feel pain and not be able to straighten your leg all the way, and you’ll notice swelling right away. Walking will be very difficult and may require crutches.
Causes of a hamstring tear or strain
Running often leads to patients experiencing hamstring tears or strains as a result of overextending the soft tissues and muscles. Additionally, there are other factors that can contribute to the occurrence of such injuries.
- Limited or lack of warm-up before exercising
- Poor muscle strength or muscle fatigue
- Tight hip flexors or weak glutes
- Differences in leg length
- Poor flexibility
Risk factors for a hamstring tear or strain
Those who are most likely to develop a hamstring tear or strain are individuals with insufficient flexibility, inadequate strength, muscle fatigue, and those who fail to properly warm up. The risk factors for a hamstring tear or strain parallel its causes.
Additional factors that increase the risk of a hamstring tear or strain include:
- Age — as you get older, you are at higher risk of a pulled hamstring.
- Previous injury — patients with previous hamstring injuries are at higher risk for a future hamstring injury.
- Certain sports — sports that require sprinting or sudden change in direction put patients at a higher risk for suffering a hamstring tear or strain.
Diagnosis of a hamstring tear or strain
During a consultation with your primary care or orthopedic provider, a hamstring injury is identified through a comprehensive medical history review and physical examination performed by the doctor.
The doctor will assess the swelling, tenderness, and the leg’s range of motion during the physical examination. If there are moderate tears or strains, the physician might be able to detect a depression in the muscle through touch.
If your provider believes that you have incurred more severe injuries requiring a distinct treatment plan, diagnostic tests such as an MRI or x-ray may also be ordered.
Treatments for a hamstring tear or strain
Rest, ice, compression and elevation in combination with anti-inflammatory medications are often sufficient for treating mild to moderate strains at home. Additionally, the patient may be advised to use crutches to aid in mobility.
- Braces — braces can help keep the area stable during the recovery process.
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation — although most hamstring tears will heal on their own, they need special exercises and therapy to return to full function.
- Platelet rich plasma (PRP) injection — a PRP injection can help expedite the healing process by injecting growth factor platelets from the patient’s own blood back into the injured area.
Recovery from a hamstring tear or strain
Working on reducing inflammation in the pulled muscle is the initial step in the recovery process. Subsequently, the second step aims to restore the normal blood supply to the affected area. Finally, the last stage of recovery focuses on repairing the muscle, enabling the individual to resume their daily activities.
With consistent home therapy, mild to moderate (grade 1 or 2) tears or strains can typically recover within three to eight weeks. However, for a grade 3 hamstring tear or strain, the healing process might extend up to three months.
Engaging in sports prior to complete recovery from an injury can result in more severe injuries.
How Can You Prevent a Hamstring Strain?
To prevent hamstring injuries (and other sports injuries), the most effective method is to ensure your muscles are in optimal condition. Below are some strategies to safeguard yourself from such injuries.
- Warm up properly before exercise or intense physical activity. Jog in place for a minute or two, or do some jumping jacks to get your muscles going. Then do some dynamic stretching — ask your coach or an athletic trainer to show you how. After you play, do some static stretches where you gently stretch your muscles, holding each stretch for 30 seconds or more.
- Keep your muscles strong and flexible year-round. Get regular exercise and adopt a good stretching program so your muscles don’t get a shock when you do an intense workout.
- Increase the duration and intensity of your exercise slowly. A good rule of thumb is to make sure you add no more than 10% each week to the miles you run or the time you spend playing a sport.
- If you feel pain in your thigh, stop your activity immediately. If you’re worried that you might have strained your hamstring, give it time to rest and don’t go back to your activity until your leg feels strong, you have no pain, and you can move your injured leg as freely as the other one.