Thigh Injuries

What is a 'hamstring strain'?

A hamstring strain is a pull or a tearing of the hamstring muscle. Sometimes it can be very acute where the entire muscle gives way and tears. More commonly, it's a chronic pulling of the muscle, and the best way to treat it is rest, ice, compression and elevation. After the acute injury is over, then you can start a stretching program and a slow hamstring strengthening program.

What are the causes of a hamstring strain?

The most common way to get a hamstring strain is in a sprinter: Cold muscle, rapid acceleration. The classic example is a ball player running down the field and the hamstring tears. A sprinter trying to accelerate rapidly can easily tear a hamstring. Essentially, anything where there is a rapid acceleration.

How should a hamstring strain be treated?

The best treatment for a hamstring tear, or a hamstring strain is rest, ice, compression and elevation. After the acute injury, and after the acute phase of the injury, then we can start on nonsteroidal anti-inflammatories, such as Advil, Motrin, Aspirin, and a slow stretching programme, where you're applying heat and both active and passive stretching.