HAMSTRING STRAIN

 The Injury

The term 'pulled muscle' comes from the description of how the injury takes place. Usually the muscle is forcibly stretched beyond its limits and the muscle tissue becomes torn. A tear in a muscle is referred to as a strain and depending on its severity it is classified as a first, second or third degree strain:

• a first degree strain is damage to a few muscle fibres,
• a second degree strain is damage to a more extensive number of muscle fibres,
• a third degree strain is a complete rupture of the muscle itself.

The hamstring muscle group comprises three muscles - biceps femoris, semitendonosus and semimembranosus. The action of these muscles is to bend the knee and extend the hip.

 Signs and Symptoms

• With a grade 1 hamstring strain the signs may not be present until after the activity is over.
• There may be a sensation of cramp or tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted.

• With a grade 2 hamstring strain there is immediate pain which is more severe than the pain of a grade one injury.
• It is confirmed by pain on stretch and contraction of the muscle.
• A grade 2 hamstring strain is usually sore to touch.

• A grade 3 hamstring strain is a catastrophic injury.
• There is an immediate burning or stabbing pain and the athlete is unable to walk without pain.
• The muscle is completely torn and there may be a large lump of muscle tissue above a depression where the tear is.
• After a few days with grade two and three injuries a large bruise will appear below the injury site caused by the bleeding within the tissues.

 Treatment & Prevention

- see Muscle Strains