Hamstring injuries occur as a result of straining or stretching one of the hamstrings, a group of three muscles that runs the length of the back of the thigh.
You are more likely to injure your hamstrings if you play a sport like soccer, Basketball, football, Tennis or something similar that involves running, stop and break your head. Hamstring injuries can also occur in runners and dancers.
Often, all you need to relieve pain and inflammation caused by a hamstring injury are self-care measures, as a rest, over-the-counter ice and pain relievers. In rare cases, you may need surgery to repair your hamstring.
Index
Symptoms
A hamstring injury usually causes sudden, sharp pain in the back of the thigh. También puede tener una sensación de “agrietado” o acuoso. Swelling and pain usually appear within a few hours. You may also experience unusual bruising or discoloration on the back of your leg., as well as muscle weakness or inability to bear weight on the affected leg.
Mild tendon strains can be treated at home. Nevertheless, you should see your doctor if you cannot bear weight on the affected leg or if you cannot take more than four steps without experiencing severe pain.
Hamstring tear
The rupture of the fibers of the hamstring is a common injury in athletes that occurs when the fibers that make up the muscle break. If it's a deeper tear, it's a muscle tear.
Although many times they occur indirectly, patients may tear after a blow or contusion or overstretching of the muscle due to jerky muscle movement. What's more, muscle dehydration from strenuous exercise can lead to a loss of elasticity, which increases the chance of a hamstring tear.
In some cases, a hamstring tear may be the result of other inappropriate treatments, such as tendinitis or muscle contractures.
Hamstring tendonitis
Like fiber breaks, hamstring tendinitis is a common injury in athletes, and in this case, especially in middle distance runners. This injury occurs when a muscle goes from maximum contraction to maximum extension.
Inflammation of the tendon can cause severe pain in the area. Sometimes, a patient has inflammation in this area, what prevents you from doing your normal activities.
Causes
The hamstrings are a group of three muscles that run along the back of the thigh from the hip to just below the knee.. These muscles facilitate the posterior extension of the right leg and the flexion of the knee.. When one of these muscles is stretched beyond its limits during physical activity, injuries may occur.
Risk factor's
Risk factors for hamstring injuries are as follows:
- Do sport. Sports that require jumping, running or other activities, how to dance, can increase your energy, increasing the risk of hamstring injuries .
- Previous hamstring injury. After a hamstring injury, you are more likely to have another hamstring injury, especially if you try to resume all your activities at the same intensity level as before the injury before your muscles have had time to heal and regain strength.
- Low elasticity. If you have little flexibility, your muscles may not be able to handle all the force needed for certain activities.
- Muscle imbalances. While not all experts agree, some argue that muscle imbalances can lead to hamstring injuries. As the muscles that run along the front of the thigh, quadriceps, become stronger and more developed than the hamstrings , you are more likely to experience a hamstring injury.
Prevention
Regular stretching and strengthening exercises as part of a comprehensive fitness program can help reduce the risk of hamstring injuries . try to stay in good shape to exercise; Don't exercise to get in shape.
If you have a physically demanding job, regular air conditioning can help prevent injuries. Ask Your Doctor About Appropriate Conditioning Exercises.
In some cases, hamstring injuries, especially those caused by trauma, they are unavoidable. Nevertheless, there are some guidelines that can help prevent these types of injuries.
First, it is especially important to do a full and proper warm-up before exercising and, by last, stretch your muscles.
What's more, sedentary lifestyle and regular low-impact exercise should be avoided, as well as a moderate diet to control body weight.
Diagnosis
Before the appearance of pelvic pain, the patient should consult a specialist doctor. First, a general physical examination of the patient will be performed, during which the doctor can check where the patient feels the most pain.
In second place, In many cases, imaging tests will be necessary to provide more complete information about the patient's muscles.. Some of these tests may be X-rays or MRIs., that provide images with detailed information.
Treatment of hamstring injuries
Once the diagnosis is made, the specialist must assess the most appropriate treatment for each patient. If it breaks, the patient may need surgery. In general, patients are prescribed an anti-inflammatory remedy that helps relieve pain.
Nevertheless, the most effective treatment for this type of injury is physiotherapy. Depending on the extent of the patient's injury, techniques used may vary. If the injury is first degree, the objective will be to perform rehabilitation exercises to strengthen the muscles. In severe cases, percutaneous intraocular electrolysis can be used., as well as rehabilitation exercises.