Straining of the hamstring, also known as a pulled hamstring, is defined as an excessive stretch or tear of muscle fibers and related tissues. Hamstring injuries are common in athletes participating in many sports. Track and field athletes are particularly at risk, as hamstring injuries have been estimated to make up 29% of all injuries in sprinters. Hamstring injuries can also come with a hip injury from sprinting. Symptoms for a hip injury are pain, aching and discomfort while running or any physical exercise.
The biceps femoris long head is at the most risk for injury, possibly due to its reduced moment of knee and hip flexion as compared to the medial hamstrings.
Causes of hamstring strain
The muscle group is prone to injuries due to the explosive nature of movement in sports and thus causing overload and overstretching of the hamstring musculature.
The other causes may be:
Previous injury
Poor muscle strength
Poor flexibility
Inadequate warm-up
Fatigue
Imbalance
Overuse
This condition is most commonly seen in:
Athletes involved in football, baseball, american football, rugby
Dancers and water skiers
Sports involving cross-country skiing, downhill skiing, judo, cricket, and bull riding
Diagnosis
Grades
Grade 1
Sensation of cramp or tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted.
Grade 2
With a grade two hamstring strain there is immediate pain which is more severe than the pain of a grade one injury. It is confirmed by pain on stretch, swelling and contraction of the muscle.
Grade 3
A grade three hamstring strain is a severe injury. There is an immediate burning or stabbing pain and the individual is unable to walk without pain. The muscle is completely torn and there may be a large lump of muscle tissue above a depression where the tear is.
After a few days with grade two and three injuries, a large bruise may appear below the injury site caused by the bleeding within the tissues.
Treatment
Recommended treatment for this injury consists of the RICE protocol — rest, ice, compression and elevation. The RICE method is primarily used to reduce bleeding and damage within the muscle tissue. Lower grade strains can easily become worse if the hamstring is not rested properly. Complete ruptures require surgical repair and rehabilitation.
Initial treatment of the injury, regardless of the severity of the strain, is the same. Within the first five days, the hamstring is rested in an elevated position with an ice pack applied for twenty minutes every two hours. A compression bandage is applied to limit bleeding and swelling in the tissues. After five days of rest, active rehabilitation begins.