The muscles in the back of the thigh (hamstrings) can be strained (hamstring pull) in any running activity.
(See also Overview of Sports Injuries.)
The hamstrings move the hip and knee backward. A hamstring injury often occurs when the hamstrings are contracted suddenly and violently, as can occur when a person sprints. It causes sudden pain in the back of the thigh. Hamstring injury can also develop more slowly, usually caused by inadequate flexibility training.
Doctors make the diagnosis based on the person’s symptoms and results of a physical examination. Sometimes magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) is also needed.
Treatment of Hamstring Injury
Ice
Analgesics
Compression and support
Rehabilitation
Ice and use of a thigh sleeve for compression and support are needed immediately after injury. Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) or other analgesics are used to relieve pain. If walking is painful, the person may need crutches initially.
Once pain begins to resolve, the person should gently stretch the hamstrings. When the pain has completely resolved, the quadriceps and hamstrings are gradually strengthened. The person should not run or jump until satisfactory muscle strength and range of motion have been regained. Recovery may occur in days or weeks, but a severe hamstring injury can often take up to several months to completely heal.
1. Lie on back, flex the hip and knee of the involved leg, hold behind the knee, and pull it gently toward the chest.
2
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on back with both knees bent and feet on floor/table.
2. Perform abdominal and gluteus maximus contraction and l
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on stomach, keep knee straight on involved side.
2. Contract abdominal muscles.
3. Lift involved leg up off the
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Wait until inflammation has subsided and the knee can be flexed without pain.
2. Lie on stomach with knees straight.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on back, flex the hip and knee of the involved leg, hold behind the knee, and pull it gently toward the chest.
2. Gently extend the knee to straighten the leg.
3. Hold stretch for 30 seconds.
4. Do 1 set of 4 repetitions, 3 times a day.
5. Repeat on the other leg.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on back with both knees bent and feet on floor/table.
2. Perform abdominal and gluteus maximus contraction and lift buttocks off floor.
3. Keep legs in neutral position (keeping the hips, knees, and toes aligned and shoulder width apart).
4. Return to start position.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
6. Special instructions
a. Maintain neutral spine.
b. For added resistance, place an elastic band just above the knees. Start with least resistance band.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Lie on stomach, keep knee straight on involved side.
2. Contract abdominal muscles.
3. Lift involved leg up off the floor/table.
4. Return to starting position.
5. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
6. Special Instructions
a. Keep the knee straight and abdominals contracted through the repetition.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
1. Wait until inflammation has subsided and the knee can be flexed without pain.
2. Lie on stomach with knees straight.
4. Bend knee as far as it can go without causing pain.
5. Slowly return to starting position.
6. Do 3 sets of 10 repetitions, 1 time a day.
7. Special instructions
a. Start with least resistance, adding weight as tolerated. Band resistance can also be used.
b. Focus on eccentric lowering phase with a count of 4 to lower and extend knee to starting position and a count of 2 for knee flexion.
Courtesy of Tomah Memorial Hospital, Department of Physical Therapy, Tomah, WI; Elizabeth C.K. Bender, MSPT, ATC, CSCS; and Whitney Gnewikow, DPT, ATC.
