It’s a familiar sight. An athlete running across the playing field suddenly pulls up short and grabs the back of their leg. The common reaction from those watching: Oh, that looks like a hamstring injury. Odds are, they’re right.
Understanding Hamstring Injuries
The hamstrings are a group of three muscles that attach at the bottom of the pelvis. They run down the back of the leg and reattach to the bones of the lower leg just below the knee, says Dr. Ryan Wagner, a Sport Medicine Physician with ThedaCare Orthopedic Care.
“The hamstrings help us extend our legs and bend our knees,” he says. “Having good muscle strength and flexibility in our hamstrings is key for many leg movements and our overall balance.”
Hamstring injuries are common. Anyone involved in sports or exercise activities that involve running, sprinting, or jumping is susceptible to strains and more serious hamstring injuries. This includes soccer, football, basketball, and pickleball players, as well as runners and dancers. Adolescents experiencing sudden growth spurts also may be vulnerable when their muscle growth doesn’t keep pace with their bone growth.
Muscle overload is the most common cause of a hamstring injury, Dr. Wagner says. Other triggers include muscle weakness, tightness, imbalance, and poor conditioning.
Range of Injuries
Dr. Wagner describes the range of hamstring injuries and their typical treatment:
- Minor strains (grade 1 injury). “These are mild and typically heal in a few days after rest, elevation, and compression. The person could use ice or heat as well, depending on what their health care provider recommends — or whichever feels better.”
- More severe strains or slight tears (grade 2 injury). “These injuries may involve swelling and bruising after a few days. Again rest, elevation, and compression are the first line of treatment. Sometimes with grade 2 injuries, we may put the person on crutches for a period of time to take weight off the muscle.”
- Complete muscle tears (grade 3 injury). “These injuries may take months to heal. In rare cases, the hamstring muscles may tear away from the bone. This is known as an avulsion injury and may require surgery. We likely would do imaging to determine the extent of damage before deciding on a treatment plan.”
Treatment Options
Once a hamstring injury heals, a therapy program that focuses first on flexibility and then strengthening can be beneficial, Dr. Wagner says. A licensed athletic trainer (LAT) at a school or physical therapist can create and oversee that treatment program. ThedaCare Orthopedic Care is proud to provide LAT services at several schools throughout northeast and central Wisconsin.
“When the muscle strain doesn’t respond to rest, compression, and elevation — and there’s continued pain when putting weight on the leg — it’s time to seek further medical advice,” Dr. Wagner says. “A licensed athletic trainer — if available — or primary care provider could do the first assessment. The person could then move on to an orthopedic specialist if a more serious injury is suspected.”
Avoiding Injury
Keeping the hamstring muscles in good condition is the first step toward avoiding hamstring injuries, Dr. Wagner says.
“That requires having a good year-round cross-training exercise routine so that one muscle group doesn’t overpower another,” he says.
For example, having strong quadriceps on the front of the thigh can lead to hamstring strains. Stretching exercises also are important for the hamstrings.
“Generally speaking, taking part in a wide range of physical activities is good for everyone, no matter their age or activity level,” Dr. Wagner says. “That will help prevent hamstring and many other muscle injuries. Lastly, warming up all the muscle groups is important before beginning any physical activity, including sports.”
Walk-in Care
The experts at ThedaCare Orthopedic Walk-in Care in Appleton can assess and treat hamstring injuries. Patients can connect to a full range of orthopedic care, including diagnostic testing and imaging. They can also receive referrals to specialists and other areas including rehabilitation services, orthopedic surgeons, and pain management specialists.
Visit ThedaCare Orthopedic Walk-in Care, open seven days a week.
