Hamstring Injury
The hamstring muscle is a group of big, powerful muscles that go across the back of the thigh and reach from the lower pelvis all the way to the back of the shin bone. This is the muscle that acts to extend the hip joint and to flex the knee joint. The hamstring is used daily for regular activities as well as in sporting activities, but sports that typically cause an injury to the hamstring are sprinting sports that involve quick or sudden accelerations. These sports may include soccer, basketball, track and field, and tennis. Additionally, a hamstring injury can be the result of a direct blow that occurs to the muscle, like being kicked in the back of your thigh or even falling on the back of your thigh. A hamstring contusion is different from a pulled hamstring, but they can cause similar symptoms.
A pulled hamstring, known as a hamstring strain is a tear in the hamstring muscle fibers. In hamstring injuries that are less severe, the tearing may be microscopic and some bleeding may occur within the muscle due to it being stretched too far. In very severe strains, the hamstring muscle may suffer from a complete rupture, and the result may be surgery in order to repair the torn ends of the muscle.
Most muscle strains and tears occur due to eccentric contractions, which are instances in which the muscle attempts to contract while another force is pushing the muscle in the opposite direction. Due to the tremendous force on the muscle, tearing may occur.
Symptoms of a Hamstring Injury
The symptoms you may experience will depend on how severe the injury is. The injury to the hamstring is typically painful and very sudden. Bruising can occur as a result of smaller tears within the muscle, which causes bleeding and then bruising. The bruise will begin in the back portion of the thigh, and then over time it will begin to pass down below the knee and sometimes even onto the foot. You also may find that you are experiencing swelling in your thigh. This can make it difficult and painful for you to walk. Using a compression bandage may help you to control the swelling. Often if you have a hamstring injury, you may suffer from muscle spasms. These can be very painful. If your muscle spasms are severe, your doctor may prescribe a muscle relaxant to help calm the muscle. Additionally, you may find that contracting your knee is often painful. If you find that you are not able to contract the hamstring, your muscle might be ruptured completely.
Hamstring Treatment
The treatment needed for a hamstring injury will depend on how severe the injury is. First, you need to take a break from sport activity and rest. Using an ice pack and applying a compressive bandage can be utilized in order to control the swelling. You may need crutches if walking is painful or if your spasms are severe. Medical attention should be obtained. The most important time for getting treatment is the first 48 hours after the injury. You may also see a sports injury specialist. A sports injury specialist can teach you sports massage techniques or be the one to apply those techniques so that you can speed up your recovery. The massage itself will break down the new collagen network and allow for fiber realignment. minimizing the scar tissue that develops. Massage also will increase the blood flow to the area that has been injured. A sports injury specialist may also use ultrasound and other electrical stimulation along with prescribing a rehabilitation program. A sports injury specialist can give you advice and instruct you on specific stretches that will benefit you and provide you with crutches to help you walk. If your injury is severe enough, surgery may be necessary, and an MRI scan may be needed initially to determine the extent of the injury.
Preventing a Pulled Hamstring
In order to prevent a pulled hamstring, it is important to warm up properly. In fact, this has been shown to reduce your risk of having a hamstring injury. The warm ups should include some aerobic exercise and stretching and sports drills that increase in intensity over time. Some factors which increase your likelihood of developing a hamstring strain include your age, a previous injury, flexibility, hamstring strength, and tiredness and fitness.
- Age: The older you are, the more likely you are to suffer from a hamstring injury
- Previous Injury: If you have been injured before, you are more likely to aggravate the muscle again than someone without previous injury.
- Hamstring Strength: If your hamstring is weak, it will likely be more prone to injury than a strong muscle.
- Flexibility: It has been suggested that the more flexible the hamstring, the less likely you are to injure it. This is why stretching and warming up is important.
- Tiredness and Fitness: If you are fatigued, you tend to lose coordination that is usually present between your muscle groups. This can lead to an increased risk of a hamstring.
