Hamstring Injury

What is a hamstring injury, and how is it treated?

Nothing refreshes you more than a nice long run or climbing up a mountain. Your hamstrings make these activities possible.

And even if you are not as athletically inclined, your hamstrings still play a vital role in your life. They make walking and other leg movements possible. However, a hamstring tear can create a significant challenge when it comes to walking on your injured leg.

Our board-certified orthopedic and sports medicine specialists at OrthoNeuro have many years of experience in helping those with hamstring injuries find pain relief through hamstring repair. Contact one of our offices in Columbus, OH today to get the help your need!

How Is a Hamstring Tear Different from a Hamstring Strain?

A hamstring injury is a strain (pulled muscle) or a tear in the group of three muscles located in the back of the thigh that extends from the pelvis to the knee joint. These three muscles are the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris.

Hamstring injuries occur when one or more of these muscles become overloaded, stretching it beyond its capacity. That being said, a hamstring injury is one of the most common injuries affecting athletes.

What Is a Hamstring Injury?

Hamstring tears are different from hamstring strains in terms of severity. There are 3 different grades of severity for hamstring injuries, and they are as follows:

Grade 1 injuries are mild hamstring muscle strains or pulled muscles. These hamstring injuries tend to resolve after an adequate amount of rest.
Grade 2 injuries are partial tears of your hamstring muscles and are more moderate in nature. As mentioned earlier, there are three muscles that make up the hamstring group. A partial tear can incorporate one or two of those muscles.
Grade 3 injuries are severe tears of your muscle. This is a complete tear through all three muscles, and in some cases, separates the hamstring tendons and muscles from the bone (avulsion).

Hamstring tears, whether partial or complete, are more severe in nature than a hamstring muscle strain.

Signs of a Hamstring Injury

Depending on the severity, the signs of a hamstring injury will vary and can be found below:

Grade 1 strains are characterized by sudden sharp pain radiating in the back of the thigh. It may be difficult for you to move your leg.
Grade 2 partial tears are more painful, and some bruising and swelling may occur. Additionally, you may notice a weakening in your leg strength, and the pain may prevent you from using your leg.
Grade 3 severe tears are the most severe, and you will feel intense pain, making it difficult for you to use your injured leg. You may have felt a popping sensation when the injury occurred. You may also experience swelling, bruising, and tenderness.

How Are Hamstring Tears Diagnosed?

During the physical examination of your hamstring injury, your specialist will ask for a detailed breakdown of your symptoms. They may test the amount of tenderness surrounding your hamstring muscles. In addition, an MRI may also be recommended.

Treatment Options for Hamstring Tears

For Grade 1 and Grade 2 hamstring injuries, conservative treatment options are generally used to assist in healing your hamstring.

These conservative treatment options may include:

Bracing or immobilization
Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medications
Physical therapy

For Grade 3 tears in which your hamstring is completely detached from the bone, surgical repair may be recommended by one of our highly-trained OrthoNeuro specialists. During this procedure, they will mobilize the tendon and reattach your hamstring to its proper anatomical position.

Our OrthoNeuro sports medicine specialists are here to help you! Schedule an appointment at one of our 7 offices in Columbus, OH today!

Make an Appointment with an OrthoNeuro Knee Specialist Today!

If you have been experiencing symptoms of a hamstring injury, schedule an appointment with one of our Board Certified Orthopedic and Sports Medicine Specialists at one of our 7 convenient locations throughout Greater Columbus.

We will evaluate your unique lifestyle and goals to determine which type of treatment is best for you.

Knee Specialists

IF YOU HAVE A SEVERE KNEE INJURY OR CHRONIC KNEE PAIN THAT REDUCES YOUR MOBILITY OR QUALITY OF LIFE, CONTACT ORTHONEURO TO SCHEDULE A CONSULTATION. OUR EXPERT ORTHOPEDIC SURGEONS ARE ON HAND TO DIAGNOSE AND TREAT YOUR KNEE PROBLEM.