Hamstring Basics
As not all athletes are able to stay 21 eternally, unfortunately, muscle strains and tears are part of the game should one continue to push oneself with athletics. Also true is the fact that healing time increases as one's age increases. The earlier a strain, pull or tear is identified or treated, generally the shorter the healing time.
Hamstring tears are among the most chronic of muscle strains as they are difficult to rest and without proper rest, of course, muscles take their sweet time healing. The hamstring muscle group works to bend the knee and extend the hip, thus it is used in every walking, sitting or standing movement.
Hamstring injuries are common and will probably reoccur due to the constant use of the muscle. Thus, it is extremely important to make sure that if an injury occurs, it is treated properly from the beginning and heals completely prior to partaking in further athletic activity.
Causes and Symptoms of Hamstring Injuries
Sports that involve sprinting, especially explosive sprinting, like rugby, soccer, softball or baseball, are all responsible for their fair share of hamstring injuries. There are three degrees of muscular injuries: first, second and third.
A first degree injury is identified by damage to a few muscle fibers. A first degree injury is not severe and should heal relatively quickly. Symptoms of a first degree injury might include tightness, slight discomfort when walking and possibly even some swelling. A minor injury consisting of such symptoms can heal from two to eight days, depending on how well one rests the effected muscle and how severe the injury is to begin with.
A second degree injury is identified by damage to a larger number of muscle fibers. It is more severe and will obviously take longer to heal than a first degree injury. A second degree hamstring injury is notably more painful than a first degree injury and can lead to a slight limp when walking due to pain and swelling. Pain will probably also be noticed in the knee area due to compensating for the injured muscle at the back of the thigh. A mid-way injury like this should heal as quickly as within ten days and as long as six weeks. Because the hamstring is so prone to re-injury, it tends to take a while to heal properly.
A third degree injury is identified by a complete tear of the muscle itself and is the most severe level of muscular injury. A third degree muscle injury requires good care and an extensive time for recovery. Third degree hamstrings are extremely painful and result in a noticeable limp probably necessitating crutches to facilitate walking. Swelling will be noticeable almost immediately. A third degree hamstring rupture will require proper medical attention and can take anywhere from six to 10 weeks to heal.
Initial Care
It has been said before and it shall be said again: muscle strains, pulls or tears, depending on the severity, should subscribe to the R.I.C.E. method: rest, ice, compression and elevation. One should never apply ice directly to the skin and should keep ice on for no longer than 20 minutes at a time. In general, placing ice on the injured area for 20 minutes, removing the ice for 20 minutes and then reapplying the ice helps to flush inflammation and toxins away from the injured area. The RICE method should be followed for the first 48 hours after the onset of injury.
Disclaimer: The information contained in this article is for educational purposes only and should not be used for diagnosis or to guide treatment without the opinion of a health professional. Any reader who is concerned about his or her health should contact a doctor for advice.
Sources
- SportsInjuryClinic. "Pulled Hamstring/Hamstring Strain" (accessed May 11, 2011).
- PhysioRoom. "Hamstring Injury Explained" (accessed May 11, 2011).
- MDAdvice.com. "Thigh Injury, Hamstring" (accessed May 11, 2011).
- Patrick Milroy, "Injury First Aid – The RICE Method," Runner's World, July 30, 2002.
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