Hamstring Injuries: Hamstring Injury Symptoms and Treatment

What is a hamstring injury?

A strain injury to a hamstring muscle or tendon or their bony attachments. The hamstring muscles run from the pelvis and femur to the back and side of the knee. The hamstring tendons can be felt behind the knee on either side. They feel like tough rope. The hamstring tendons, muscles and their attached bones comprise contractile units that stabilize the knee and hip and allow their motion. The injury, usually a strain, occurs at the weakest part of the unit.

How do you prevent hamstring injuries?

Hamstring injuries can be prevented or greatly reduced by properly stretching and warming up the hamstring and quadricep muscles prior to any physical activity, practice or competition. The athlete should participate in a strength and conditioning program appropriate for their sport. Conditioning of the connective tissue (ligaments and tendons) can greatly reduce the incidence of injury. It must also be understood that the rate of strengthening of connective tissue lags behind the rate of strengthening of muscle. Therefore the training program should consist of work involving low weight and high repetitions for 3 to 4 weeks at the beginning of a strength and conditioning program to begin the strengthening process of connecting tissue before muscle strength is increased.

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