What is it?
Hamstrings are along the back of your thigh, on upper leg.
- Hamstring muscle strains are graded (1,2,3) according on how bad the strain is.
Diagnosis test
Consider:
Cause
- Lack of warm up
- Twisting and/or turning suddenly and/or jumping and or lunging
- Picking up pace suddenly (sprinting) when running
- Jerk movement of leg
- Injury before to hamstring
- Slower movement that stretches one’s hamstring muscle
Hamstring Grade Symptoms
Grade 1
- Tightness in back of the thigh but able to walk normally?
- Discomfort in legs and unable to operate at full speed?
- Bend the knee against resistance is unlikely to reproduce much pain?
Grade 2
- Gait (posture movement)will be affected and they will most likely be limping?
- Sudden twinges of pain in upper part of leg?
- Swelling and pain will be reproduced when pressing in on the hamstring muscle as well as trying to bend the knee against resistance?
Grade 3
- Severe injury involving a tear to half or all of the muscle?
- Severe sudden pain?
- Weakness in the muscle?
- Sudden swelling?
- Bruising will usually appear within 24 hours?
Complications /Information to beware of/General tips:
Do not wait, phone for an ambulance if have or develop:
- Severe swelling
- Can’t put weight on it
- If feel tearing sensation
- Limited movement
General tips
- Rest – stop the exercise or activities that caused the injury until you feel better
- Ice – put an ice pack (you could use a bag of frozen peas wrapped in a tea towel) on the injury for up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours
- Compress – wrap a bandage around the injury to support it
- Elevate – if possible, keep the injured area raised on a pillow when sitting or lying down
To help prevent swelling during the first 2 to 3 days, try to avoid:
- Heat, such as hot baths and heat packs
- Alcohol
- Massages
When you can move the injured area without pain stopping you, try to keep moving it so the tendon doesn’t become stiff.
Do
- Warm up before exercising and stretch afterwards
- Wear suitable shoes for exercise
- Take regular breaks from repetitive exercises
Don’t
- Over-exercise tired muscles
- Start a new sport without some training or practice
- Stick to the same repetitive exercises
NHS.UK
Please talk to your healthcare professional (i.e. Medical Doctor/Pharmacist) for further advice
Detailed Information
Please copy and paste any key words from the title: Hamstring Sprain in the following respective 'Medtick References and/or Sources' to find out more about the disease (this also may include diagnosis tests and generic medical treatments).
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