A hamstring injury or strain occurs when the hamstring muscles are pulled. Hamstring muscles are a group of three muscles that are located at the back of the thing. A pulled hamstring thus usually occurs during sports and physical exercises. While playing basketball, football, soccer, tennis or squash, these injuries are common amongst players. Poor footwear, inadequate warming up routines, muscle weakness, and recurrent injury from a previously unhealed injury are some causes of a hamstring strain.

 

Hamstring muscles allow the knee to bend and straighten flexibly while adjoining the hip to it. Together, these hamstring muscles and the quadriceps help in controlling the stability of the knee joint and allows the person to walk, run, squat, or jump. Although this type of injury can be healed without surgery, it is important to familiarize yourself with its symptoms.

 

Symptoms

A hamstring injury will make a sudden and sharp pain in the sufferer. This pain is located at the back of the thigh, and rises as they try to walk. Swelling or tenderness usually develop as well, while the back of the leg may appear to be bruised as well. The strain is divided into 3 categories – grade 1, grade 2, and grade 3. Depending on the severity, the doctor will prescribe you medications and treatment according to the grade. Although mild hasting injuries can be dealt at home, the severe cases should consult a doctor.

 

Treatment

Initially, the strain should be treated with resting and ice packs. Compression and elevation are other ways to treat an injury of this type. Avoid walking as that may increase the pain, and avoid weight-bearing activities. A patient may be asked to use crutches to walk around. Icing has to be done frequently, while Ace wraps should be used for compression. Heating and cooling the pained area may be recommended by the doctor. A compression is applied with a 6-inch wrap around the thigh, and up till the hip. This is usually placed on athletes for them to return to their practice. Pain killers, like ibrufen (Advil, Nuprin, or Motrin), should be taken to control the pain under a doctor’s prescription. Physiotherapy may be recommended to severe cases.