Hamstring strains are caused by a rapid extensive contraction or a violent stretch of the hamstring muscle group which causes high mechanical stress. This results in varying degrees of rupture within the fibres of the musculotendinous unit.
Hamstring strains are common in sports with a dynamic character like sprinting, jumping, contact sports such as Australian Rules football (AFL), American football and soccer where quick eccentric contractions are regular. In soccer, it is the most frequent injury. Hamstring injuries can also occur in recreational sports such as water-skiing and bull riding, where the knee is forcefully fully extended during injury.
Causes
- Not warming up before playing.
- Weak glutes. Glutes and hamstrings work together. If the glutes are weak, hamstrings can be overloaded and become strained.
- Older age
- Previous hamstring injury
- Limited hamstring flexibility
- Increased fatigue
- Poor core stability
- Strength imbalance
- Previous calf injury
- Previous substantial knee injury
- Increased quadriceps flexibility was inversely associated with hamstring strain incidence
- Tight hip flexors
Symptoms:
- Sudden and severe pain during exercise, along with a snapping or popping feeling
- Pain in the back of the thigh and lower buttock when walking, straightening the leg, or bending over
- Tenderness
- swelling within the first few hour
Physiotherapy Treatment :
- Compression :The injured area with a compression bandage or wear compression shorts to minimize swelling.
- 2-Cold packs: ice packs several times a day to relieve pain and reduce swelling.
- Soft tissue therapy/release
- Taping : taping can be used for support of the hamstring muscle ,it helps to reduce stress of the muscle or faster recovery
- Mobilization
Rehabilitation exercises:
