Experiencing discomfort and soreness in the posterior part of your legs could indicate a potential hamstring injury. Positioned at the back of your thighs, the hamstring comprises a collection of muscles. Straining these muscles is a prevalent occurrence, particularly among individuals engaged in activities such as soccer, basketball, or track that entail rapid bursts of speed.
Rest, over-the-counter (OTC) medications, and ice can be effective in treating mild hamstring injuries, but more severe cases may require several months to fully recover.
Continue reading to gain more knowledge on what leads to hamstring injuries, methods to alleviate the pain, and when it is advisable to seek medical assistance.
Causes
Muscle overload is the primary factor contributing to hamstring injuries, whereby strains and tears occur during the muscle’s contraction or shortening while lengthening. Furthermore, these injuries can also arise from excessive stretching or sudden exertion on the muscle.
When sprinting, like in any other instance, your hamstring muscles need to continuously contract as your leg extends with each stride. This combination of extension and exertion on the muscles makes them highly vulnerable to injury. You may experience various symptoms, ranging from sudden pain to a sensation of popping or snapping in your leg. Additionally, your hamstring might become sensitive to touch and there could be visible bruising at the location of the injury.
Hamstring strain can be caused by various risk factors.
- Exercising with tight muscles. Athletes who have particularly tight muscles may be more likely to experience injury.
- Muscle imbalances, where certain muscles are stronger than others.
- Poor conditioning. If the muscles are weak, they’ll be less able to deal with the demands of certain sports or exercises.
- Fatigue in the muscles, because tired muscles don’t absorb as much energy.
People who engage in the following activities often experience hamstring strain.
- football
- soccer
- basketball
- tennis
- running and sprinting, and other track events
- dancing
Walking as the main exercise puts older athletes and growing adolescents at a greater risk, since their muscles and bones may not develop at the same pace. Consequently, any strain or impact on the muscles, such as a jump, increases their susceptibility to tearing.
Types of a hamstring tear or strain
- Grade 1 — mild injury that heals within a couple weeks.
- Grade 2 — moderate injury that is typically a partial tear in the muscle; patients are likely to limp when walking and will have occasional twinges of pain during activity.
- Grade 3 — severe injury where the muscle is completely torn or a lump of muscle tissue is torn, and can take months to heal.
Risk factors for a hamstring tear or strain
Those who are most at risk of developing a hamstring tear or strain are individuals with insufficient flexibility and strength, as well as those who experience muscle fatigue and fail to properly warm up. The risk factors associated with a hamstring tear or strain closely resemble the causes.
Some additional factors that increase the risk of experiencing 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.
Symptoms of a hamstring tear or strain
The immediate symptom of a hamstring tear or strain is a sudden, sharp pain in the back of the upper leg. The pain may be so severe it stops you from continuing your activity.
The severity of the tear determines the symptoms experienced.
- Grade 1 — tightness in the muscle while stretching, inability to fully move your leg from bending to straightened, and inability to bear weight on the leg affected.
- Grade 2 — reduced muscular strength, limping when walking, and pain when bending the knee.
- Grade 3 — a severe, sudden, sharp pain in the back of the thigh, inability to extend the knee more than 30 to 40 degrees, inability to walk without pain, and severe bruising around the impacted area.
Diagnosis of a hamstring tear or strain
A hamstring injury is diagnosed in a visit with your primary care or orthopedic provider. The doctor will take a full medical history and physical exam.
In the course of the physical examination, the doctor will assess the leg’s swelling, tenderness, and range of motion. In cases of moderate tears or strains, the physician may be able to detect a depression in the muscle through touch.
If your provider suspects that you have incurred more serious injuries requiring an alternative treatment plan, they may also request diagnostic tests such as an MRI or x-ray.
Treatments for a hamstring tear or strain
Patients with mild to moderate strains can often manage their condition at home using a combination of rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with anti-inflammatory medications. Additionally, the use of crutches might be advised to assist the patient with 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.
