Hamstring injury
An injury to the tendons or big muscles at the back of the thigh is called a hamstring injury.
It frequently occurs among athletes and can range in severity.
The three levels of hamstring damage are:
- Slight muscle pull or tension
- A partial muscle breakdown
- A full muscle tear
Depending on the injury’s bad, hamstring tears or strains might take a while to heal.
Hamstrings
Hamstrings are major thigh muscles joined to the bone via tendons at the back of the thighs.
While standing or walking, the hamstring muscles are not heavily used, but they are heavily used while bending the knee, such as when running, jumping, and climbing.
Hamstrings symptoms
A hamstring injury often creates a sudden, intense pain in the back of your thigh.
Also possible are “popping” or tearing sensations. Within a few hours, swelling and discomfort commonly appear.
Along with muscle weakness or the inability to bear weight on your damaged leg, you could also have bruising or discoloration along the rear of your leg.
Hamstrings causes
A hamstring injury frequently results from quick, forceful actions that overstretch tendons or muscles, such as running, lunging, or jumping. Slower movements can sometimes cause the damage to develop gradually.
Recurrent injuries are frequent among athletes and sportspeople because they are more likely to occur if your hamstring has already been hurt.
Regularly stretching, strengthening, and warming up before activity can all help lower your risk of a hamstring injury.
When to seek a doctor
The majority of hamstring injuries are treatable at home.
If you have any worries about your injury, especially if you believe it to be severe, if it isn’t healing, or if your symptoms are worsening, consult a doctor.
The Doctor also gives you advice on when you can resume your regular activities and what exercises you should take in the meantime to speed up your recovery. In some circumstances, they might also suggest you get a scan or seek specialized care from a physiotherapist.
Reviewed by – Dr. Priyanka, MBBS MD Microbiology
Page last reviewed: 16 JULY 2022