Hamstring

An acute hamstring injury can happen in many different ways. One thing that is common is that we will experience a sudden pain in the muscles. Often, a particular movement or incident causes it.

Causes

The tendons may tear as a result of an over-stretch injury, e.g. when your muscles are tightened due to a strain, or fatigue from training hard the previous day. A direct blow to the hamstrings while contracting can tear the muscles. Insufficient exercising also contributes to sudden tears in the hamstrings. Overstraining is a common cause of hamstring overuse strains. The muscles are tight, fatigued, or weakened, and are then strained by overwork.

Signs & Symptoms

* A short sudden pain in the hamstrings up to a searing pain.

* You may see bruising, immediately, or some time, during the injury. Bruising will tend to occur around the knee.

* If there is a severe tear, swelling can be seen on the thigh, especially if you work the hamstrings by bending your knee.

*Eventually, the torn part feels sore to touch. Pain is experienced in that same area whenever you contract the hamstrings and when you stretch the muscles.

Treatment

A severe tear, involving a lot of muscle tissue, may need to be stitched together. For a minor tear, you will have to undergo and follow a conventional rehabilitation programme.

Hamstring injuries tend to recur. They will limit your ability to run, sprint, hop, and stretch your leg out. Specialist treatment may include injections, and various forms of physiotherapy. A complete recovery means regaining full flexibility in the muscles, and efficient function. Avoid doing strenuous exercises before you are completely fit because the same problem will recur.

A mild hamstring injury may recover within ten days to two weeks. A more severe problem can last for over three months. If your hamstring injury does not improve, despite careful rehabilitation, it may be that there is an underlying problem. Hamstring pain and spasm can be caused by a stress fracture in the thighbone.