Hamstring muscle injuries are common, especially in athletes.
Most often, hamstring muscle injuries are partial tears of the muscle.
Sometimes, theinjury to the hamstringis more severe.
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When the tear is incomplete, the hamstring muscle is simply stretched too far, but not completely detached.
These complete tears need to be recognized as different injuries.
When the hamstring muscle contracts in this position, it can be stretched beyond its limits.
Symptoms
People who sustain this injury typically experience a sudden sharp pain.
The pain level can be quite significant, and it is typically difficult to walk following the injury.
Diagnosis
An X-ray of the hip or thigh is typically obtained.
More commonly, X-rays are normal.
MRI testing can be performed to evaluate the attachment of the hamstring.
Treatment
The treatment of a complete tear of the hamstring will depend on several different factors.
The other variable is the patient and their expectations.
Treatment is generally more aggressive in younger, high-level athletes.
Treatment is typically less aggressive in people who are more sedentary.
Most often, a single hamstring tendon tear can be treated nonsurgically.
There is also a controversial middle ground when two tendons are torn.
Most surgeons will use patient characteristics (high-level athlete or more sedentary individual?)
to guide their treatment recommendations.
Rehabilitation
Rehab following surgery takes about 3-6 months or longer before athletes can return to sports.
The first six weeks are confined to limited weight-bearing with the use of crutches.
Patients may wear a brace to limit the amount of tension on the repaired hamstring tendons.
Delayed surgical treatment may not always lead to an optimal result.
This may delay the rehab progression and may also limit the potential for full recovery.
Because of this long recovery timeline, some individuals who were not previously athletic may choose nonsurgical treatment.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Hamstring muscle injuries.
UW Health.Rehabilitation guidelines following proximal hamstring primary repair.
Int J Sports Med.
2011 Jul;32(7):490-5. doi:10.1055/s-0031-1273753
