Hamstring Strain (Pulled Hamstring)
A hamstring strain is a common injury involving a tear in one or more of the hamstring muscles. A pulled hamstring can range from mild to very severe involving a complete tear of the muscle.
Pulled hamstring symptoms
One of the most obvious symptoms of a hamstring strain is a sudden sharp pain at the back of the leg during exercise, most probably during sprinting or high speed movements. Depending on how bad the injury is the athlete will usually have to stop immediately and further participation in training or sport difficult or impossible. Often the athlete will try to play on with a pulled hamstring but this is one injury where it just isn't possible.
Palpating the hamstingsPulled hamstrings are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on severity. Grade 1 consists of minor tears within the muscle. A grade 2 is a partial tear in the muscle and grade 3 is a severe or complete rupture of the muscle.
Grade 1 Hamstring strain
With a grade 1 hamstring strain the athlete may have tightness in back of the thigh but will be able to walk normally. They will be aware of some discomfort and unable to operate at full speed. There will be little swelling and trying to bend the knee against resistance is unlikely to reproduce much pain.
Grade 2 Hamstring strain
With a grade 2 hamstring strain the athletes gait will be affected and they will most likely be limping. Sudden twinges of pain during activity will be present. They may notice some swelling and pain will be reproduced when pressing in on the hamstring muscle as well as trying to bend the knee against resistance.
Grade 3 Hamstring strain
A grade 3 hamstring strain is a severe injury involving a tear to half or all of the muscle. The athlete may need crutches to walk and will feel severe pain and weakness in the muscle. Swelling will be noticeable immediately and bruising will usually appear within 24 hours.
Hamstring strain causes
SprintingThe hamstring muscle group consists of three separate muscles; the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris. During sprinting the hamstring muscles work extremely hard to decelerate the tibia or shin bone as it swings out. It is in this phase just before the foot strikes the ground that the hamstrings become injured as the muscles are working hardest at the same time as approaching their maximum length.
A pulled hamstring rarely manifests as a result of contact. If you have taken an impact to the back of the leg it should be treated as a contusion until found to be otherwise. A strained or pulled hamstring as it is sometimes called is a tear in one or more of the hamstring muscles.
Problems with the lower back and pelvis may increase the likelihood of suffering a hamstrings strain and should always be considered, particularly for recurrent hamstring injuries.