HamstringStrains
What is it?
The hamstrings are a group of muscleslocated on the back of the thigh. The hamstring is not one single muscle,instead a collection of 3 different muscles. The hamstring predominantlyoriginates from your sitting bone and attaches just below the back of yourknee. The primary role of the hamstrings is to bend the knee as well asextending the hips. The hamstrings are very prone to injury, increasingly so ifyou have sustained a strain previously. Often the hamstrings are strainedduring sporting activity, such as sprinting, jumping and sudden changes inspeed. Whilst it is common in the younger sporting population, any age groupcan experience this injury.
Gradesof hamstring strain
Grade1 (mild) †Minor strain of a few muscle fibers.Pain may not be experienced immediately and there will be minimal loss in poweror flexibility. However, there will be pain/tightness during certain activitiessuch as walking up hill, acceleration/deceleration and jumping.
Grade2 (moderate) †Partial tear in the muscle. Therewill be acute pain, reduced flexibility, loss of power and function. There maybe pain during walking and there will be difficulty straightening the knee.
Grade3 (severe) †Severe or complete rupture of themuscle fibers. There will significant and immediate pain, followed by swellingand bruising. Definite loss of function (difficulty walking), pain on palpationand surgical repair may be required.
Whatare the symptoms?
As discussed above, the symptoms vary significantlydepending on the severity of your injury. Commonly there will be pain in theback of the thigh or knee, loss of knee motion and reduced power of the muscle.
Whatare the causes?
There is no single cause for a hamstringstrain; depending on your biomechanics there may be a number of reasons whyyou’ve strained your hamstring. The main cause is a lack of co-ordinationbetween the hamstring and quadriceps during functional activities. However,there are recognised risk factors that increased the probability of hamstringtears.
Riskfactors
· Previous hamstring injury
· Increasing age
· Fatigue
· Strength imbalance betweenquadriceps and hamstring
· Poor pelvic motor control
Howcan they be prevented?
Majority of the above risk factors can beaddressed through a targeted rehabilitation and ongoing injury preventionprogram. This is where your physiotherapist can help. After diagnosing theinjury and severity a proposed management plan.
