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Hamstrings Strain

(Pulled Hamstrings)

by Laurie LaRusso, MS, ELS

En Español (Spanish Version)
 

Definition

A hamstring strain is an injury to the muscles in the back of the thigh. These muscles run from above the hip to the knee joint. A strain is a series of small tears in the muscle. The tendon attached to the muscle may also have some damage.

Hamstring strain is a common sports-related injury. Treatment depends on the severity of the strain.

Posterior Thigh Muscles

Posterior Thigh Muscles

Copyright © Nucleus Medical Media, Inc.

 

Causes

A hamstring strain can be caused by:

  • Stretching the muscle too fast and/or too far.
  • Suddenly putting stress on the muscles when they are not ready for the stress.
  • Using the muscles too much in one day.
  • A direct blow to the muscles.
 

Risk Factors

Factors that may increase your chance of getting hamstring strain include:

  • Participation in sports that require bursts of speed. This includes track sports like running, hurdles, or long jump. Other sports include basketball, soccer, football, or rugby.
  • Previous hamstring injury.
  • Fatigue.
  • Overexertion.
  • Tight hamstrings.
 

Symptoms

Symptoms may include:

  • Pain and tenderness in the back of the thigh.
  • Stiffness in the hamstrings.
  • Weakness in the hamstrings.
  • Bruising on the back of the thigh, if blood vessels are broken.
  • Popping or snapping sensation as the muscle tears.
 

Diagnosis

The doctor will ask you about your symptoms and medical history. A physical exam will be done.

Most hamstring strains can be diagnosed with a physical exam. Your doctor may want images of the area if severe damage is suspected. Images may be taken with x-ray or MRI.

Muscle strains are graded according to their severity:

  • Grade 1—Some stretching with micro-tearing of muscle fibers.
  • Grade 2—Partial tearing of muscle fibers.
  • Grade 3—Complete tearing of muscle fibers. This may also be called a rupture or avulsion.
 

Treatment

Talk with your doctor about the best treatment plan for you. Recovery time ranges depending on the grade of your injury. Treatment steps may include:

Acute Care

Rest

Your muscle will need time to heal. Avoid activities that place extra stress on these muscles:

  • Do not do activities that cause pain. This includes running, jumping, and weight lifting using the leg muscles.
  • If normal walking hurts, shorten your stride.
  • Do not play sports until your doctor has said it is safe to do so.

Cold

Apply an ice or a cold pack to the area for 15-20 minutes, four times a day, for several days after the injury. Do not apply the ice directly to your skin. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel.

Pain Relief Medications

To manage pain, your doctor may recommend:

  • Over-the-counter medication, such as aspirin, ibuprofen, or acetaminophen
  • Topical pain medication—creams or patches that are applied to the skin
  • Prescription pain relievers

Compression

Compression can help prevent more swelling. Your doctor may recommend an elastic compression bandage around your thigh. Be careful not to wrap the bandage too tight.

Elevation

Elevation can also help keep swelling down. Keep your leg higher than your heart as much as possible for the first 24 hours or so. A couple of days of elevation might be recommended for severe strains.

Recovery Steps

Heat

Use heat only when you are returning to physical activity. Heat may then be used before stretching or getting ready to play sports to help loosen the muscle.

Stretching

When the acute pain is gone, start gentle stretching as recommended. Stay within pain limits. Hold each stretch for about 10 seconds and repeat six times. Stretch several times a day.

Strengthening

Begin strengthening exercises for your muscles as recommended.

If you are diagnosed with a hamstring strain, follow your doctor's instructions.

 

Prevention

To reduce the chance that you will strain your hamstrings:

  • Keep your hamstrings strong so they can absorb the energy of sudden physical stress.
  • Learn the proper technique for exercise and sporting activities. This will decrease stress on all your muscles, including your hamstrings.
RESOURCES::

American Academy of Family Physicians Family Doctor
http://familydoctor.org

American College of Sports Medicine
http://acsm.org

CANADIAN RESOURCES::

Public Health Agency of Canada
http://www.phac-aspc.gc.ca

Physical Therapy Canada
http://www.physicaltherapy.ca

REFERENCES::

Hamstring muscle injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons Ortho Info website. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=A00408. Updated July 2009. Accessed April 11, 2013.

Hamstring strain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what. Updated February 28, 2013. Accessed April 11, 2013.

Heiderscheit BC, Sherry MA, et al. Hamstring strain injuries: recommendations for diagnosis, rehabilitation, and injury prevention. J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 2010;40(2):67-81.

Mendiguchia J, Brughelli M. A return-to-sport algorithm for acute hamstring injuries. Phys Ther Sport. 2011;12(1):2-14.

Mendiguchia J, Alentorn-Geli E, Brughelli M. Hamstring strain injuries: are we heading in the right direction? Br J Sports Med. 2012;46(2):81-85.

10/26/2010 DynaMed's Systematic Literature Surveillance http://www.ebscohost.com/dynamed/what.php: Massey T, Derry S, Moore R, McQuay H. Topical NSAIDs for acute pain in adults. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2010;(6):CD007402.


Last reviewed April 2013 by Brian Randall, MD
Last Updated: 4/11/2013

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