Hamstring Injuries

Understanding Hamstring Injuries and Available Treatments

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Hamstring Injury Treatment Near You in Hoover and Birmingham, Serving Central Alabama

Your hamstrings are among the most heavily used muscles in the body. They play a crucial role in nearly every leg movement, from running to squatting. This heavy usage sometimes leads to injury. Patients who have experienced a hamstring injury can find less pain, more living at Southlake Orthopaedics. With offices in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, Alabama, we deliver complete orthopedic care to patients throughout the state, helping them return to active and pain-free lifestyles.

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What Are the Hamstrings?

The hamstrings are a group of three muscles located in the thigh, stretching from the buttocks to the back of the knee. They are used to climb stairs, squat, run, and do almost any leg movement. Because they are used so heavily and because they absorb a large amount of force, these muscles can be easily damaged. Athletes, especially, are susceptible to hamstring injury.

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Athletic person sitting down and holding back of thigh

What Is a Hamstring Injury?

Injuries are also called hamstring strains or pulled hamstrings. They occur when one or more hamstring muscles become stretched or torn. Hamstring injuries are graded from 1 to 3 to describe their severity. Grade 1 injuries feature very little tearing, while Grade 3 injuries are completely torn.
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Hamstring Injury Symptoms

Symptoms from hamstring injuries depend on the injury severity. Injuries may vary from mild to moderate or severe, potentially causing debilitating pain and loss of function. The pain comes on all at once and is often accompanied by a popping sound or sensation. Other symptoms include:

  • Pain in the back of the thigh
  • Pain that worsens when moving or using the leg
  • Bruising or swelling in the back of the thigh
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Muscle spasms
  • Tenderness
  • A bump or knot in the muscle
  • Trouble moving the leg

Very mild hamstring injuries can sometimes get better by themselves. If a person is experiencing severe pain, if they feel a noticeable bump, or if they cannot put weight on the injured leg, they should seek treatment from a medical professional.

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Hamstring Injury Causes and Risk Factors

Any movement that stretches the hamstring too far can result in injury. In most cases, this occurs during sports. Athletic activities that require running, such as baseball or soccer, and those that involve stretching, like ballet, are common culprits. However, not all hamstring injuries are sports injuries. They may also arise from slipping on ice or wet ground. Other risk factors for hamstring injury include:

  • Exerting more than normal
  • Insufficient flexibility training
  • Ramping up a training routine too quickly
  • Inadequate stretching and warm-ups before a workout
  • Playing sports with improper equipment
  • Having previous hamstring injuries
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Teenage soccer player sitting down on field and holding back of thigh

Diagnosing Hamstring Injuries

Any type of sports injury, including hamstring injuries, requires prompt medical attention. The physician begins by diagnosing the condition. They perform a thorough physical evaluation to test the leg’s range of motion and identify any tender spots. They will also ask the patient about how the injury occurred, how long ago, and whether they have experienced any past hamstring injuries.

These examinations are followed by medical imaging. The physician will use an X-ray or magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan to look at the leg’s internal structures. Scan results are used to check for damage, rule out other injury types, and arrive at a conclusive diagnosis. They also help the physician determine the injury grade, which will inform the treatment plan.

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Treatment Options for Hamstring Injuries

Once a hamstring injury has been diagnosed and its grade determined, it is time to begin treatment. Non-surgical treatments begin with the rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE) method. Once the pain fades, physical therapy and rehabilitation may begin. This treatment approach uses targeted exercises and stretches to strengthen the hamstring muscles, restoring range of motion while helping to prevent further injuries.

For severe injuries, conservative treatments may not be sufficient. Hamstring surgery is used to reattach muscles that have fully pulled away from the pelvis or shinbone. It may also be used to repair torn muscles. Physical therapy typically follows surgery. Once again, the aim is to strengthen the leg and improve its flexibility to reduce the likelihood of reinjury.

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Meet Our Team

At Southlake Orthopaedics, hamstring injury treatments are performed by a multi-specialty team of board-certified physicians. Our team includes orthopedic physicians, surgeons, physical therapists, and more, who combine their areas of expertise to provide comprehensive care for all types of sports injuries. Meet our orthopedics and sports medicine experts below:

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Find Treatment for Hamstring Injuries Near You in Alabama

Hamstring injuries are painful and often debilitating, but they don’t need to keep you from the activities you love. Southlake Orthopaedics helps patients find less pain, more living at state-of-the-art locations in Hoover and Birmingham-Grandview, AL. We provide comprehensive orthopedic care, helping patients at every stage of treatment to ensure a successful recovery. Contact us to learn more about hamstring injuries or to schedule a consultation and discuss your treatment.

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