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Home » Consumer Information » Sports Injuries » Thigh Injuries

Hamstring Pull

A pulled hamstring or a hamstring strain is a tear in the hamstring muscles. A pull usually happens when the muscles work extra hard during sprinting to slow down the shin bone as it extends out. Other factors contributing to this type of injury include age, previous injury of the area, poor flexibility and weak hamstrings in comparison to quadriceps' strength.

It is obvious that a hamstring pull has occurred when there is a sudden sharp pain in the back of the leg. The muscles will spasm and swelling appears. In serious cases, a gap in the muscle may be felt.

Pulled hamstrings are divided into three categories. This first category includes minor tears of the muscle that cause tightness in the back of the thigh and slight discomfort when walking. The second includes a partial tear, which can produce swelling. Pressure on the muscle increases the pain, and there may be sudden spasms of pain during activity. It might also be impossible to fully extend the leg. The third category includes severe or complete ruptures that seriously affect walking and are accompanied by severe pain and apparent swelling.

When a hamstring is pulled, the first 48 hours of treatment are the most important. The RICE method (Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation) should be applied immediately. Rehabilitating the muscle through stretching and strengthening exercises will help the muscle to recover and reduce swelling. A specialist will be able to offer a sports massages, which will minimize scar tissue. In severe cases, surgery may be needed.

The best way to prevent pulling a hamstring is to warm up correctly and stretch the muscle well. Keeping the muscle warm and compressed by wrapping it also helps. It is important to strengthen all muscles in the thigh equally when weight training.