Hamstring Sprain - Medtick
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Hamstring Sprain

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

  1. Rest – stop the exercise or activities that caused the injury until you feel better
  2. 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
  3. Compress – wrap a bandage around the injury to support it
  4. 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).

Diet, Exercise and Body Manipulations

The Physical Therapy Advisor

Primary Care Sports Medicine

Aspetar

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