The word hamstring originated from the old English word 'hamm', which means thigh. It's a collection of three muscles that are present along the rear of your thigh. They help you flex your leg at the knee. A pulled or strained hamstring is a condition in which you experience a sudden, acute pain in the back of your thigh.
Hamstring injuries are very common in sports. A severe hamstring injury may require full medical attention. Most hamstring injuries are effectively treated with simple, nonsurgical treatments while others may need some surgical intervention.
Read on to know about some important facts related to a pulled hamstring or hamstring injury.
There are diverse possible risk factors for hamstring injuries.
- Inadequate warming up and poor stretching
- Muscle weakness or an imbalance in the muscle strength within the hamstring muscles
- Muscle weakness or an imbalance between the hamstrings and quadriceps
- Poor footwear
- Recurrent injury when the muscle hasn't completely healed from previous damage
People who sustain an acute pulled hamstring will experience a few of the following symptoms:
- A sudden, acute pain at the rear of the thigh or buttocks.
- An audible “pop” sound and a feeling of the leg giving way.
- Hampered normal activities like proper walking, rising up from a sitting posture, or descending stairs.
- Initial first few hours swelling after the injury.
- Skin discoloration and bruising at the back side of your leg during the first few days.
- Persisting weakness in your hamstring continuing for weeks.
Risk Factors for a Pulled Hamstring Injury
While nearly anyone can sustain a hamstring injury, certain people are at higher risk than others. The risk factors for a pulled hamstring injury include:
- People who have previously endured a hamstring injury are at the greater danger of future hamstring injuries.
- A weakened or fatigued muscle can also increase the risk of injury.
- A muscle that is less flexible has a bigger chance of injury.
- Properly warmed up muscles are less likely to be injured.
- Dehydration can render a person more prone to cramping and injury.
- Existing lower limb injury can enhance the chances of new injury in the same or opposite limb.
Treatment of a Pulled Hamstring Injury
It depends on the spot and severity of the damage. It can include a non-surgical or a surgical treatment process.
Nonsurgical Treatment
Most hamstring strains heal very well with simple, nonsurgical treatment including:
- Taking rest form strain causing activities
- Applying ice-packs regularly
- Using a compression bandage
- Keeping leg in an elevated position
- Taking non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medicines.
- Undergoing physical therapy for improving motion flexibility
Surgical Treatment
Surgery is usually performed if your tendon has altogether pulled away from your bone. You may also need surgery to repair an entire tear within the muscle, through reattachment using stitches. You will recover your full function after a hamstring injury, upon completing a rehabilitation plan. Depending on the intensity of injury, the whole rehabilitative process may cover several months.
Best Exercises for Hamstring Strain
Your physical therapy plan will include initial gentle stretches to enhance flexibility and motion range. Strengthening exercises will be added to your plan subsequently by your physical therapist, as a protective measure against hamstring strain.
