Advice on Hamstring Injury Strain
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Injury advice > Thigh Injuries > Hamstring strain

Hamstring strain

What is a pulled hamstring or hamstring injury?

This is often caused by overloading the muscles or moving the muscles too quickly. The injury will be in one of the 3 hamstring muscles. A blow to the back of the leg needs to be treated as a contusion and NOT a strain. This injury is very common in sprinting sports.

An injury of the Hamstring is very common. There are a large range of hamstring injuries from micro tears (which the athlete may not notice) through to a complete rupture.

What are the symptoms of a pulled Hamstring?

  • There will be a sharp pain norammly felt at the back of the leg.
  • The affected muscles may spasm.
  • There may be swelling and bruising
  • A bad rupture may cause a gap to be felt in the muscle.

The more severe the strain the higher the grade (1, 2 or 3). Grade 1 could possibly be small micro tears in the muscle. Grade 2 might consist of a partial tear in the muscle and grade 3 is a severe or complete rupture of the muscle.

How to notice a Grade 1 injury:

  • There may be tightness in the thigh.
  • May have difficulty in walking.
  • There will probably not be much swelling.
  • Little or no pain when bending the knee against resitance.

How to notice a Grade 2 injury:

  • Likely that there will be difficulty in walking.
  • Exercise may cause moments of sudden pain.
  • There may well be swelling.
  • Pushing the injury is painful.
  • Pain when bending the knee against resistance.
  • Difficulty straightening the knee.

How to notice a Grade 3 injury:

  • Unable to walk properly without the aid of crutches.
  • In severe pain.
  • Bad swelling appear immediately.
  • A static contraction will be painful and might produce a bulge in the muscle.
  • Expect to be out of competition for 3 to twelve weeks or more.

Useful Products:

  • Cold Therapy - apply cold therapy to help relieve pain and swelling.
  • Thigh Supports - use a thigh support or compression bandage to support soft tissue and minimize intra muscular bleeding.

Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat Hamstring Strains

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