Hamstring injury types

Hamstring: Your large thigh muscle at the back of your thigh has a strong band of tissue called hamstrings (tendons). These tendons attach thigh muscles to the bone. Hamstrings are a group of three strong muscles that run from your hip to the knee along the back of your thigh. These muscles are often used while climbing, bending, jumping, and running, but they are not used much while walking or standing.

The muscles or tendons at the back of the thigh may tear due to a strain or sprain. Hamstring injury is common in athletes. The severity of hamstring injury varies greatly.

Hamstring injury types

There are 3 grades of hamstring injury:

Grade 1: This signifies a mild muscle sprain or pull

Grade 2: This type of injury means partial tearing of muscle

Grade 3: In this type, there is a complete tearing of muscle

Depending on the extent of damage and injury the healing time associated with a hamstring injury may differ. It mostly depends on the severity and extent of the injury.

In case of a minor and mild strain of muscle or pull of a muscle – you may recover within a few days. However, if you have a grade 2 or grade 3 injury or muscle tear, it may take several weeks or months to recover from it.

Causes of Hamstring Injury

When your tendons get overstretched due to sudden movements such as overstretching during exercise, jumping, lunging, sprinting, hamstring injury occurs. There is also a possibility of injuring your tendons during slower movements.

Hamstring Injury Types: Symptoms

Grade 1 – Sudden tenderness and pain at the back of your thigh. You will also feel pain when you move your leg.

Grade 2 – More severe pain with swelling and bruising at the back of your thigh. You may also feel weakness in your leg due to loss of strength in your muscles.

Grade 3 – Extremely painful, very difficult to stand and walk, put on weight and strength on your legs. Muscles may become tender and swollen. It is often very difficult to use the affected leg.

How to Prevent Hamstring Injury?

To prevent hamstring injury, one should avoid sudden involvement in exercise without warming up. One should also do strengthening and stretching exercises regularly. Warming up before exercise and powerful movements can help reduce the risk of a hamstring injury.

When Should you See an Orthopedic Doctor for your Hamstring Injury?

You can take care of your hamstring injury at home. However, if you think your injury is severely based on the symptoms or when it is not getting better with home-based care, then see your orthopedic doctor. Don’t delay in seeking specialist care if the symptoms are getting worse. Your orthopedic doctor can advise you on appropriate treatment. If required you may get referred to a physiotherapist for special treatment that involves specific activities and exercises.