Sunday, May 12, 2013

Hamstring Strain: What is the Recovery Time & Treatment?


hamstring strain

What is a Hamstring Strain?

A hamstring strain is a common leg injury involving a tear in one or more of the hamstring muscles.

You have four hamstring muscles: Semimembranosus and semitendinosus (medially) and biceps femoris - short and long heads (laterally).

A hamstring strain can range from mild to very severe involving a complete tear of the hamstring muscle.


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What Causes a Hamstring Strain?

Common reasons for hamstring strain or injury are:

Primary

Poor timing-intermuscular coordination and eccentric strength in the hamstring muscles during the switch between late leg recovery and initial leg approach in the swing phase of sprinting (Woods et al. 2004).

Lack of “stiffness” and eccentric strength in the hamstring muscles during the ground contact phase of running (Bosch and Klomp 2005). “Stiffness” refers to the ability of the hamstring muscle to absorb shock and rebound. Dropping a golf ball onto concrete is an example of stiffness, it immediately rebounds off the surface.

Previous hamstring strain is a very good indicator of potential for future injury (Crosier 2004).

Secondary

What are the Symptoms of a Hamstring Strain?

Mild hamstring strains may feel more like a tightness or low grade ache in your hamstring. Severe hamstring strains can be extremely painful, making it impossible to walk or even stand.

Other possible symptoms of a hamstring strain are:

  • Sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping or popping feeling.
  • Pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking, straightening the leg, or bending over.
  • Hamstring tenderness.
  • Bruising.

How is a Hamstring Strain Diagnosed?

On examination, your physiotherapist or sports doctor will look for signs of pain on hamstring contraction, reduced hamstring flexibility, tenderness or a palpable lump or gap within the hamstring muscle bulk.

Pulled hamstrings are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on severity.

How is a Hamstring String Graded?

Beware of Referred Hamstring Pain!

Due to your sciatic nerve passing through the hamstring muscle group, a lower back injury or some other injury that pinches the sciatic nerve can replicate the symptoms. It is therefore vital that you seek a professional diagnosis from an expert in hamstring and back injuries. 

Hamstring Strain Treatment

Physiotherapy

Many patients with a hamstring start to feel better within a few days of the injury. However, there is an extremely high hamstring re-injury rate due to a poor rehabilitation process. 

Hamstring strains are one injury that professional guidance is highly recommended for both an accurate diagnosis but also provide you with the best chance of avoiding repeat hamstring injuries.

Repeat hamstring injuries have unfortunately curtailed many a bidding athlete’s career.

Your physiotherapy treatment will aim to:


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    Hamstring Strain Recovery Times

    While every hamstring injury and the demands of your sport differ, here are some general hamstring strain recovery times when you follow an optimal physiotherapist-guided rehabilitation program.

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    Kinesio Taping for a Hamstring Strain

    Many patients will try a thigh support or kinesio taping for hamstring strains. They provide confidence, warmth and proprioceptive feedback, which should reduce your likelihood of hamstring re-injury.

    More info here... http://bit.ly/ZINKoJ

    Helpful Products for Hamstring Strain


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