Sports Medicine
03/03/2006
One of the most common and troublesome injuries seen in athletics is the hamstring strain. The hamstring is a group of muscles located on the back of the thigh. The main job of the hamstring muscles is to allow the leg to flex (bend) and extend. Hamstring injuries can occur in a number of ways, the most common is through over stretching. A mildly strained hamstring that is not treated properly and allowed to heal sufficiently may result in recurring strains of that hamstring.
Common Causes:
Fatigue associated with training hard
Direct blow to thigh
Inadequate warm - up
Inadequate pre - conditioning program
Previous hamstring injury
Symptoms:
Sudden - radiating pain to thigh
Pain to touch thigh muscle
Inability to bear weight or walk
Bump or knot to thigh area
Spasms
Muscle soreness especially during bending of knee
Muscle tenderness to touch
Muscle stiffness especially after cool-down period
Treatment:
RICE: R est, I ce, C ompression, E levation
Reduce activity until soreness is gone
Ice to area 24 - 48 hours after injury (15 minutes on, 15 minutes off)
Compression wrap or elastic thigh sleeve should be worn whenever athlete is not icing or showering
Do gentle range of motion exercises to maintain flexibility
Sit on table with injured leg hanging off- gently raise and lower leg during icing period. After icing athlete assumes prone position on his/her stomach and continues to gently bend and straighten leg as pain permits
Physical therapy after diagnosis for strength and flexibility exercise
Prevention:
Adequate warm-up of body for at least 10 minutes
Light jogging
Easy calisthenics
Stretching exercises: Stretch and flex exercises 3 - 5 minutes before and after sport event
Maintain good strength and conditioning program
Eat a well balanced diet
