Hamstrings Strain
Overview
Definition
A hamstring strain is damage to the muscles in the back of the thigh. These muscles run from above the hip to the knee joint. A strain is a series of small tears in the muscle. The tendon attached to the muscle may also have some damage.
Posterior Thigh Muscles |
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Risk Factors
This problem is more common in male athletes. It is also more common in athletes whose sports involve high bursts of speed, such as running, hurdling, jumping, and kicking.
Other things that may raise the risk are:
- Prior hamstring injury
- Not warming up muscles before using them
- Muscles that are too tight or weak
- Fatigue
- An imbalance between the hamstring and quadricep muscles
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
Treatment
A small strain may heal in a few days. Severe strains may take a few months. Treatment may include:
- Supportive care, such as rest, ice, compression, and elevating the leg
- Crutches to keep weight off of the leg
- Medicine to ease pain and swelling
- Exercises to help with strength, flexibility, and range of motion
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Pulled Hamstrings)
RESOURCES
American Orthopaedic Society for Sports Medicine http://www.sportsmed.org
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://www.familydoctor.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Orthopaedic Association http://www.coa-aco.org
Health Canada https://www.canada.ca
References
Hamstring muscle injuries. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00408. Updated July 2015. Accessed May 12, 2020.
Hamstring strain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hamstring-strain . Updated April 30, 2018. Accessed May 12, 2020.
Valle X, L Tol J, et al. Hamstring Muscle Injuries, a Rehabilitation Protocol Purpose. Asian J Sports Med. 2015 Dec;6(4):e25411.