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Pulled
Hamstring /
Hamstring
Strain
A
hamstring
strain
or
a
pulled
hamstring
as it is
sometimes
called is a
tear in one
or more of
the
hamstrings
muscles.
Strictly
speaking
there are
three
hamstring
muscles (Semitendinosus,
Semimembranosus
and Biceps
femoris)
which are
known as the
hamstring
muscle
group. These
muscles all
originate
from the
ischial
tuberosity
of the
pelvis.
Biceps
femoris, in
addition,
has a second
portion,
known as the
small head,
that
originates
from the
lower outer
portion of
the femur
bone itself.
The rear
portion of
adductor
magnus is
sometimes
also
considered
as a
hamstring
muscle due
to its
alignment.
All of these
muscles
travel
across the
knee joint -
semitendinosus
and
semimembranosus
insert into
the medial
(inner)
aspect of
the tibia
while the
biceps
femoris
inserts at
the head of
the fibula
bone on the
outside of
the lower
leg.
The
hamstrings
function
predominantly
in extending
the hip and
flexing the
knee joints.
Understanding
how the
hamstrings
work give
vital clues
as to their
modes of
injury.
Acute, mild
to severe
hamstring
strains are
extremely
common in
sprinters
and hurdle
jumpers and
in all
sports that
involve
sprinting
activities,
such as
football
,cricket
hockey and
rugby.
During
sprinting
the
hamstring
muscles work
extremely
hard to
decelerate
the
tibia(leg
bone) as it
swings out.
In addition,
once the
foot is on
the ground
the
hamstrings
function in
extending
the hip back
which in
turn allows
the other
leg to move
forwards. It
is in this
phase just
before the
foot strikes
the ground
that the
hamstrings,
most
commonly the
biceps
femoris
muscle,
become
injured as
the muscles
are
maximally
activated
and are
approaching
their
maximum
length.
There are a
number of
factors that
increase the
risk of an
individual
to a pulled
hamstring:
·
Age:
The older
the
individual
the greater
at risk to a
pulled
hamstring.
· Previous
Injury:
Prior
injuries to
the
hamstrings
or adductor
muscles can
greatly
increase the
risk of the
hamstrings
to future
damage.
· Flexibility:
Research
suggests
that the
greater the
flexibility
of the
hamstrings
the less
prone they
are to
injury.
· Hamstring
strength:
Similarly
studies have
shown that
lack of
hamstring
strength is
strongly
linked to a
susceptibility
to a pulled
hamstring.
· Lumbosacral
nerve
impingement:
Nerve
impingement
in L5-S1 can
lead to
associated
hamstring
muscle
weakness.
· Tiredness
and fitness::
When a
player is
fatigued
he/she loses
coordination
between
within
certain
muscle
groups. The
biceps
femoris
muscle is
known to
become
damaged due
its two
portions
being
innervated
by two
separate
nerves. In
states of
tiredness,
lack of
synchronization
between
these two
nerves can
lead to a
mismatch in
firing
resulting in
a pulled
hamstring.
A pulled
hamstring
rarely
manifests as
a result of
contact-If
you have
taken an
impact to
the back of
the leg it
should be
treated as a
contusion
Symptoms of
a Pulled
Hamstring:
· A
sudden sharp
pain at the
back of the
leg during
exercise-most
probably
during
sprinting or
high
velocity
movements
· Hamstring
muscles
going into
spasm-will
be
associated
with pain on
stretch and
contraction.
· Swelling
and
bruising.
· If
the rupture
is severe a
gap in the
muscle may
be felt.
Severity of
Pulled
Hamstring:
Strains are
graded 1, 2
or 3
depending on
severity.
Grade 1
consists of
minor tears
within the
muscle. A
grade 2 is a
partial tear
in the
muscle and
grade 3 is a
severe or
complete
rupture of
the muscle...
In Grade 1
injury
· May
have
tightness in
the
posterior
thigh.
· Probably
able to walk
normally
however will
be aware of
some
discomfort
· Minimal
swelling.
· Lying
on front and
trying to
bend the
knee against
resistance
probably
won't
produce much
pain.
In Grade 2
injury y
· Gait
will be
affected-limp
may be
present .
· May
be
associated
with
occasional
sudden
twinges of
pain during
activity.
· May
notice
swelling.
· Pressure
increases
pain.
· Flexing
the knee
against
resistance
causes pain.
· Might
be unable to
fully
straighten
the knee.
In Grade 3
injury y
· Walking
severely
affected-
may need
walking aids
such as
crutches
· Severe
pain-
particularly
during
activity
such as knee
flexion.
· Noticeable
swelling
visible
immediately.
Treatment of
a Pulled
Hamstring:
See a sports
injury
specialistst
It is
vitally
important
that
treatment
for a pulled
hamstring
starts
immediately
following
injury. The
most
important
phase for
treatment is
the first 48
hours
post-injury.
In this time
the
following
can be
carried out
by the
athlete
themself:
· Use
Cold Therapy
(Rest, Ice,
Compress,
Elevate)
technique
· Use
a
compression
bandage to
minimize
intra
muscular
bleeding.
· Early
mobilizationon
of the
injured
lower limb
is vital for
the correct
rehabilitation
of the
muscle. This
includes
stretching
and
strengthening
exercises
throughout
the pain
free range.
These can
aid with
decreasing
the swelling
in the area.
In addition,
exercise
will ensure
that any new
material
will be laid
down in
correct
orientation
thus
reducing the
risk of
subsequent
injuries.
What can a
Sports
Injury
Specialist
do?
· Use
sports
massagege
techniques
to speed up
recovery-
these are
extremely
important in
the
rehabilitation
ultrasoundnd
and
electrical
stimulation.
· Prescribe
a
rehabilitationon
program
· Advise
on specific
stretches
· Provide
mobility
aids such as
crutches
· Provide
an MRI scan
to ascertain
the amount
of damage
sustained
· In
severe
ruptures
surgery may
be needed to
repair the
damage
Prevention
of Pulled
Hamstrings:
· One
of the most
important
methods of
preventing a
pulled
hamstring is
to
warm upup
correctly-
this has
been
scientifically
proven to
reduce the
risk of
hamstring
strain. This
should
consist of
some light
aerobic
exercise.
· A
specific
strengthening
programam
for the
hamstring
muscle group
is vital in
those
athletes
regularly
undertaking
sprinting
and high
velocity
sports.
· It
is extremely
important to
continue to
strengthen
all other
muscles in
the region
of the
thighs,
pelvis and
lower back
to ensure
correct
muscle
balance
· Stretchingng
both before
and after
exercise
· Regular
deep tissue
sports
massagege
· Thermal
pants are
thought to
decrease the
risk of
injury. |
Thigh
