WHAT IS IT?
The hamstrings are a group of muscles at the back of the thigh which allow bending of the knee. This group consists of three muscles: the biceps femoris, the semitendinosus and the semimembranosus muscle.
 A strained hamstringisa common injuryandcan range from mildto very severe, involving at timesa complete tearof the muscle.
One of the most characteristic symptoms of this condition is a sudden sharp pain felt at the back of the leg, usually provoked during running or high velocity movements of the lower extremities.
- A grade 1 muscle strain signifies a few muscle fibers have been overstretched, without tearing. There may be pain with contraction or stretching of the muscle and with palpation, but usually without an important presence of
- A grade 2 muscle strain signifies that the muscle has been overstretched to the point that many, although not all, of its fibers have been torn. It is usually followed by acute inflammation, swelling, and bruising, and movement will be difficult due to the pain. In addition, the pain is intense and increases with contracting, stretching or palpating the muscle.
- A grade 3 muscle strain signifies a complete rupture of most or all of the muscle fibers. There is presence of pain, an important amount of swelling, and usually the presence of bruising following this injury. In addition, it is very difficult for the injured person to bend the leg or attempt to walk without a limp.
RISK FACTORS:
- A lack offlexibility of the hamstring muscles
- An imbalancebetween the muscular strength of the muscles of the hamstrings (the muscles of the back of the thigh) and those of the quadriceps (the muscles of the front of the thigh)
- The practice of certainsportswhich require fast running or an excessive hamstring stretchingregiment
Firstly, physiotherapy treatments will aim to reduce the pain and inflammation present with the use of electrotherapy (such as ultrasound or TENS), ice and proper education regarding the activities that may worsen your condition and thus that should be avoided for the time being. Then, your therapist will use a wide array of manual therapy and myofascial release techniques, and will prescribe appropriate stretching and strengthening exercises.
Therefore, please consult a Forcemedic physiotherapist as soon as possible for a quick recovery!
