Hamstring injury: causes, symptoms, to treatment

Definition

What is a hamstring injury?

A hamstring injury is a type of physical injury that pulls your hamstring muscles.

The hamstrings are the three large muscles located at the back of the thigh. These three major muscles consist of the semimembranous, semitendinosus, and biceps femorister muscles.

The three large muscles extend from the hips under the buttocks near the ischium sitting bones to below the knees (tibia and fibula).

The hamstrings are not used when standing or walking, but are very active during activities that involve the knee, such as running, jumping, and climbing. When these three large muscles tighten or tear, this condition can occur.

Three stages of hamstring injury severity

There are three stages of hamstring injury severity based on the number of muscle fibers injured:

Stage 1 (light) means that the muscles are stretched and torn very slightly and very small.
Stage 2 (partial) means a part of the muscle has been torn.
Stage 3 (severe) and means the muscle is completely torn and may require surgery.

The time it takes to recover depends on the severity of the injury.

Minor injuries (stage 1) may take several days to heal. Meanwhile, stage 2 and 3 injuries may take weeks or even months.

How common is this condition?

This condition is common in men and women of all ages.

You may develop these injuries when you play football, basketball, tennis, weights, taekwondo, or similar sports that include sprinting and stopping suddenly. Runners, gymnastics, and dancers can also suffer from this injury.

You can limit your chances of having a hamstring injury by reducing your risk factors. Talk to your doctor for more information.

Signs and symptoms

What are the signs and symptoms of a hamstring injury?

Minor hamstring injuries are usually less painful.

However, serious injuries can be so painful that you can't walk or stand. If you stretch your hamstring while running hard, you will feel a sudden, sharp pain in the back of your thigh.

The following are common symptoms of this condition:

Minor hamstring injury (stage 1)

The symptom that appears in stage 1 is sudden pain in the back of your thigh. Your legs may feel sore when you move them. However, this injury does not affect muscle strength.

Partial hamstring injury (stage 2)

At this stage, you will feel more pain. You may also feel bruising and swelling on the back of your thigh. You will feel less muscle strength in your legs.

Severe hamstring injury (stage 3)

You will feel severe pain, bruising and swelling. You will also feel the sensation of "popping" at the time of the injury. At this stage, you will not be able to use your feet to their full potential.

There may be other symptoms not listed above. If you have any questions about this sign, consult your doctor.

When should I see a doctor?

Minor hamstring injuries can be treated at home. However, you need to have it checked by a doctor if you cannot bear any weight on your injured leg or if you cannot walk more than four steps freely.

If you have any signs or symptoms above or have any questions, consult your doctor. Your body conditions are different from one another. Always discuss with your doctor to find the best solution.

Causes and risk factors

What causes hamstring injuries?

Quoted from the Mayo Clinic, hamstring injuries occur because the hamstring otor is stretched too extreme so that it is pulled and torn.

Injuries to the hamstrings generally occur due to strenuous physical activity, or changing the intensity of motion too suddenly and drastically.

Injuries may occur when you run fast and fast without warming up. It could also be due to falls or collisions during sports, such as soccer and athletics.

What puts me at risk for a hamstring injury?

Factors that may increase your risk of having a hamstring injury are:

Sports activities

Sports related to running or other activities, such as dancing, that involve stretching too hard can increase the risk of a hamstring injury.

Previous hamstring injury

If you've had a hamstring injury before, you are likely to have it again more easily. Especially if you do activities like before the injury, with the same intensity.

Poor flexibility

If you have poor flexibility, your muscles may not be able to make the full effort they need during an activity.

Muscle imbalance

Although not all experts agree, some experts say that muscle imbalance can lead to hamstring injuries. When the muscles at the front of your thighs become stronger and developed beyond your hamstrings, you are more likely to get injured.

Not having the risk factors above doesn't mean you can't get this injury. There may be other factors that have not been mentioned.

If you have any concerns, talk to your doctor.

Complications

Generally, if you have an injury and continue to do strenuous activities before the injury has fully recovered, it can lead to recurring hamstring injuries.

Diagnosis

How do doctors diagnose hamstring injuries?

The doctor will make a diagnosis based on your medical history and physical examination. Usually, doctors will also perform imaging tests, such as x-rays, that may be helpful for younger athletes.

This is especially useful in ensuring that the muscles do not fall apart from the bones connecting each other.

Imaging tests such as ultrasound and MRI are generally rarely performed to check for minor muscle injuries. Even so, for more severe injuries or where the diagnosis is not clear, it may be used.

During the examination, the doctor may also perform multiple positions on the injured leg to determine which muscle was injured. This procedure is at once to see the possibility of ligament or tendon damage.

Treatment

The information provided is not a substitute for medical advice. ALWAYS consult a doctor or pharmacist.

What are the treatment options for hamstring injuries?

So that your injury does not get worse, you should first take a break from strenuous activities. Returning to activities too soon may worsen the injury and may result in permanent damage.

Here are some ways to treat hamstring injuries:

Non-surgical

Most hamstring injuries can be treated in a simple, non-surgical method.

This method is abbreviated as RICE, that is Rest (break), Ice (ice / cold compress), Compression (emphasis), and Elevation (appointment).

The following is an explanation of the RICE method as summarized from OrthoInfo.

Rest (break)

It is very important to rest and avoid activities that might cause injury. Your doctor may recommend that you use crutches to avoid putting weight on your legs.

Ice (ice / cold compress)

Using ice packs for compresses and special stretching and strengthening exercises is often helpful. Avoid direct contact of the ice cubes with the skin.

Compression (emphasis)

Wrapping or pressing the leg with an elastic bandage to compress it may prevent the swelling from getting worse.

Elevation (appointment)

To avoid swelling, place your feet higher than your chest when resting. You can prop up by placing a pillow under your thigh.

Apart from these four components, physical therapy is also said to be able to reduce the effects of hamstring injuries. Once the pain and swelling of your hamstring injury has subsided, your doctor or therapist may show you how to work on the flexibility and strength of your hemstring muscles.

Platelet-rich plasma (PRP)

The PRP method is being investigated for treating hamstring injuries. PRP is a type of physical therapy that is prepared from the patient's blood which contains a high concentration of proteins called growth factors. This factor is very important for injury healing.

Some centers have incorporated PRP injections into the nonsurgical treatment of multiple hamstring injuries. However, this method is still in the investigative stage and further research is needed on its benefits.

Surgery

Surgery is the usual way to treat a tendon avulsion injury, when the tendon detaches from the bone. This step consists of two stages, namely:

Procedure

To repair the tendon avulsion, the surgeon must reposition the hamstring muscles in place and remove the scar tissue. The tendons are then attached to the bone using stitches or staples.

Rehabilitation

After surgery, you should avoid putting pressure on your foot to keep it from repairing. In addition to using crutches, you may need a brace to keep your hamstring in a resting position. The length of this process or not will depend on the severity of your injury.

Your physical therapy program will begin with gentle stretches to work on flexibility and movement. You will also do strength training.

Rehabilitation for the proximal hamstring procedure can take at least six months, depending on the severity of the injury. Meanwhile, the distal hamstring requires three months of rehabilitation before returning to athletic activity.

Recovery from hamstring injuries

Most people with hamstring injuries recover completely after going through the rehabilitation process. The initial treatment with the principles of RICE and physical therapy will show maximum results and will make it easier for you to return to sports activities.

To avoid similar injuries, make sure you follow your doctor's recommendations for treatment. Return to vigorous exercise when your doctor allows. Such injuries can increase the risk of permanent damage that can lead to chronic conditions.

Home remedies

What are some lifestyle changes or home remedies that can help with this condition?

Return to strenuous activity once your injury has fully healed. However, don't avoid sports altogether, as they can shrink your hamstrings and form scar tissue around the tear.

To avoid that bad possibility, you should start gently stretching the hemstring muscles after a few days, when the pain has started to subside. Then start doing light exercise, such as walking and cycling.

Ask your doctor or physiotherapist about the right type of exercise. To avoid a similar injury in the future, you need to wait for the right time to return to the sport at the same intensity as before the injury.

In addition, the following lifestyle and home remedies might help treat hamstring injuries: