The most important phase for treatment is the first 48 hours post-injury. In this time the following can be carried out by the athlete themselves:
Apply Cold Therapy immediately for 10-15 minutes and repeat this every hour for the first day. After this, every 2-3 hours is sufficient. Use a compression bandage to minimize intra muscular bleeding and swelling. Rest as much as possible with the leg elevated.
Hamstring exercissStretching exercises should be done but only when pain allows. It is likely that strengthening exercises will be possible before the leg is ready for stretching.
What can a Sports Injury Specialist do?
Advise on a full hamstring strain rehab program such as that developed for us by premiership football physiotherapist Neal Reynolds.
Use sports massage for hamstrings to speed up recovery. Sports massage is important in the treatment and rehab of hamstring muscle injuries as massage helps correct new muscle fiber realignment and minimizes scar tissue. In addition massage can increase the blood flow to the injured area.
Hamstring massageUse ultrasound and other forms of electrotherapy are often used as part of pulled hamstring treatment to aid the healing process and reduce swelling. Provide mobility aids such as crutches particularly if the hamstring strain is severe. Resting it is important.
Provide an MRI scan to ascertain the amount of damage sustained. In severe ruptures surgery may be needed to repair the muscle damage