Hamstring injury

Overview

The three muscles that run along the back of the thigh, collectively known as the hamstrings. It joins the largest thigh muscle to your bone. Your hamstring’s primary function is to enable your leg to flex (bend) and extend (stretch). The hamstring can be pulled or strained, resulting in a hamstring injury

People who play sports that require sudden stops and starts while sprinting frequently suffer from hamstring strains. Tennis, basketball, football, and soccer are among examples. Dancers and runners are also susceptible to hamstring strains.

To reduce the pain and swelling from a hamstring injury, self-care techniques like rest, ice, and pain medication are frequently sufficient. Rarely is a hamstring muscle or tendon repaired surgically.

Symptoms

Typically, a hamstring injury results in a sudden, intense pain at the back of the leg. A “popping” or tearing sensation could also occur.

Within a few hours, swelling and discomfort commonly appear. Along the back of the leg, there could be bruising or a change in the color of the skin. Some people can’t bear weight on their injured limb or have muscle weakness.

You can treat a mild hamstring strain at home. However, if you are unable to walk more than four steps without experiencing excruciating pain or are unable to bear weight on the injured leg, consult a doctor.

Causes

The hamstring muscles are a trio of muscles that extend from the hip to a point just below the knee on the back of the leg. These muscles enable the knee to bend and be able to extend the leg.

Injury might result from overstretching or overloading any one of these muscles.

Risk factors

Risk factors for hamstring injuries include:

• Age. Aging brings an increased risk of damage.
• History of hamstring injury. A hamstring injury increases the likelihood of developing another in a person. This is particularly true for those who attempt to resume their previous activities before their muscles have had a chance to heal.
• Muscle weakness. Muscles that are weak or fatigued are more prone to injury. Poorly flexible muscles may not be able to withstand the force of activity needed for some tasks.
• Muscle imbalance. Some experts contend that a muscular imbalance may cause a hamstring injury, albeit not all of them concur. Injury to the hamstring muscles may be more likely if the quadricep muscles on the front of the leg are stronger and more developed than the hamstring muscles.
• Sports. Running or sprinting-based sports may increase the risk of hamstring injuries.