Hamstring injuries range from mild to severe, with symptoms including sudden pain, tearing sensations, and swelling. They often occur during sports and can be treated with RICE, but serious injuries may require surgery. Recurring injuries should be examined by a doctor.
The hamstring is the tendon that attaches a sizable group of muscles in the back of the thigh to the bone. This group of muscles – the hamstrings – is commonly referred to as the hamstring, so most hamstring injuries are actually injuries of the muscle group rather than the actual hamstring tendon. Hamstring injuries range from mild to severe, from a strain to a complete muscle tear, and there are several hamstring injury symptoms that alert the sufferer to an injury. Most hamstring injury symptoms involve sudden pain or a tearing sensation in the hamstring muscle region; swelling or bruising may also appear after the injury has occurred.
Hamstring injuries often occur while playing sports, especially those that involve sprinting mixed with quick stops and starts and jumping or lunging, such as basketball, soccer, and American football. Many hamstring injuries are immediately apparent and are often brought on by a sudden jerk, leading to their general identification of a pulled hamstring. Hamstring injury symptoms may include sharp pain in the hamstring region that emerges suddenly while playing a sport, a tearing sensation in the hamstrings, or a popping or clicking sound. Often, an athlete pulling in the hamstrings will be unable to continue the activity and, in some cases, may not be able to stand.
Since the pain is generally felt immediately in the hamstring region, an athlete will almost always be aware that an injury has occurred. A tight or pulled hamstring is usually accompanied by tenderness in the hamstring region and possible swelling. In more serious injuries, such as a torn hamstring, the back of the thigh may feel bruised and a region of skin may turn black and blue. Sometimes the injury to the muscle can feel like an imperfection and is detectable by touching the skin.
Most hamstring injuries are treatable without surgery, although serious conditions, such as a complete hamstring tear, may require surgery. Minor hamstring injuries are treatable at home without consulting a doctor. In these cases, doctors recommend resting and icing the affected region along with compression and elevation – these four combined forms of treatment are collectively referred to as RICE. Hamstring injury symptoms that require medical attention include redness spreading from the injured area, any numbness in the region, and the inability to bear any weight on the affected leg. Recurring hamstring injuries should also be examined by a doctor.
Protect your devices with Threat Protection by NordVPN
