Thigh Injury, Hamstring

An injury to a hamstring tendon. The hamstrings connect the muscles of the thigh to the back and side of the knee. These tendons can be felt behind the knee on either side. They feel like tough rope. Hamstring tendons, muscles and bone comprise units that stabilize the knee and allow its motion. The injury, usually a strain, occurs at the weakest part of a unit. Hamstring strains are of 3 types:

• Mild (Grade I) - Slightly pulled muscle without tearing of muscle or tendon fibers. There is no loss of strength.
• Moderate (Grade II) - Tearing of fibers of the muscle, tendon or at the attachment to bone. Strength is diminished.
• Severe (Grade III) - Rupture of the muscle-tendon-bone attachment with separation of fibers. Severe strain requires surgical repair. Chronic strains are caused by overuse. Acute strains are caused by direct injury or overstress.

Body Parts Involved

• Hamstring tendons and associated muscles.
• Bones in the pelvis and knee joints.
• Soft tissue surrounding the injury, including nerves, periosteum(covering to bone), blood vessels and lymph vessels.

Causes

• Prolonged overuse of muscle-tendon units in the leg.
• Single violent injury or force applied to the muscle-tendon unit in the leg.

Signs & Symptoms

• Pain when moving or stretching the leg.
• Muscle spasm of the injured muscles.
• Swelling over the injury.
• Weakened leg (moderate or severe strain).
• Crepitation ("crackling") feeling and sound when the injured area is pressed with fingers
• Calcification of the hamstring tendon or muscles (visible with X-rays).
• Inflammation of the sheath covering the hamstring tendon.

Treatment

Note:- Follow your doctor's instructions. These instructions are supplemental.

First Aid

Use instructions for R.I.C.E., the first letters of rest, ice, compression and elevation.

Continuing Care

• Continue using an ice pack 3 or 4 times a day. Place ice chips or cubes in a plastic bag. Wrap the bag in a moist towel, and place it over the injured area. Use for 20 minutes at a time.
• After 24 hours, apply heat instead of ice if it feels better. Use heat lamps, hot soaks, hot showers, heating pads, or heat liniments and ointments.
• Take whirlpool treatments, if available.
• Wrap the injured leg with an elasticized bandage between ice or heat treatments.
• Massage gently and often to provide comfort and decrease swelling.

Medication

• For minor discomfort, you may use:

Non-prescription medicines such as aspirin, acetaminophen or ibuprofen.

Topical liniments and ointments.

• Your doctor may prescribe:

Stronger medicine for pain, if needed.

Injection of a long-acting local anesthetic to reduce pain.

Injection of a corticosteroid, such as triamcinolone, to reduce inflammation.

Home Diet

Diagnostic Measures

• Your own observation of symptoms.
• Medical history and exam by a doctor.
• X-rays of the pelvis, femur and knee to rule out fractures.

Prevention Tips

• Build your strength with a long-term conditioning program.
• Warm up adequately before practice or competition.
• Use proper protective equipment, such as knee pads and thigh pads, during participation in contact sports.