Hamstring injuries often occur, especially in athletes whose main activities are running, jumping or other activities that cause the hamstring muscles to contract (strain) to the maximum. The hamstring muscles are located on the back of the thigh and consist of three sizable muscles, namely the semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris. To avoid, treat, and regain muscle strength after a hamstring injury, it's important to understand the causes, symptoms, and treatment of a hamstring injury.
Causes of Hamstring Injury
Hamstring injuries occur when the hamstring muscle contracts past its breaking point or tears in the muscle fibers. Injuries can be caused by several things, such as:
- Lack of warm-up before exercising
The hamstring muscles are more susceptible to injury if they don't warm up sufficiently before engaging in strenuous physical exercise.
- Poor muscle flexibility
The less flexible hamstring muscles are more susceptible to damage during sudden movements.
- Hamstring muscles that contract repeatedly/overuse
Sports with repetitive movements, such as sprinting or high jumping can tire the muscles and eventually cause injury to the hamstring muscles.
Hamstring Injury Symptoms
Depends on how severe the injury is. Here are some symptoms that generally occur:
- Pain in the back of the thigh.
- Swelling and bruising in the painful area.
- Difficulty or discomfort with running or walking.
- Experiencing stiffness in the hamstring muscles.
Hamstring Injury Grades
Hamstring injuries are divided into three grades:
- Level 1
Muscle fibers are bruised from light muscle pulling. The symptoms experienced range from mild pain, muscle weakness, and discomfort when performing certain movements.
- Level 2
The muscle fiber is partially torn. The pain experienced is stronger, the hamstrings look swollen, the muscles feel weak, and the inability to continue physical activity.
- Level 3
The muscle fiber has a complete/total tear. Symptoms include excruciating pain, marked swelling, muscle weakness, and difficulty moving or walking.
Handling Hamstring Injuries
How to treat a hamstring injury depends on the extent of the injury. The following are some common treatments for hamstring injuries
- Avoid strenuous activities/exercise while the hamstring is still injured.
- Cold compresses on the injured area to help reduce discomfort and swelling.
- Wrap the thigh with an elastic bandage to provide compression to the injured area.
- The position of the feet is higher than the head when lying down.
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs).
- Doing physiotherapy to restore function, flexibility, and hamstring muscle strength.
- Return to physical activity gradually according to the directions of the doctor or related medical expert.
Prevention of hamstring injuries is very important to know. Doing a proper warm-up, regular stretching, and strengthening your hamstring muscles will help you reduce your risk of injury. Attention also needs to be paid to the condition of the body, namely recognizing the limits of the body's capabilities and increasing the intensity of exercise gradually.
In conclusion, hamstring injuries can cause quite strong pain and interference with activities. Treatment and recovery depend on understanding the causes, symptoms, and available treatments. Consulting a specialist and joining a comprehensive rehabilitation program can help speed recovery and reduce the risk of further injury.
Article written by dr. Rudi Hadinata, M.Ked, Sp.OT (K) Hip & Knee (Orthopedic & Traumatology Specialist, Hip & Knee Consultant at EMC Cibitung Hospital).