A pulled hamstring is a common injury for athletes involved in sprinting, including track running, basketball, soccer, football and other competitive sports. The muscles in the back of the thigh can be stretched beyond capacity and cause strained or pulled hamstrings. Simple relaxation techniques and treatments usually take care of pulled hamstrings, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons (AAOS).
Function
Hamstring muscle strains occur during muscle overload, the AAOS says. Hamstrings, which control leg movements when bending the knee, lengthen as they contract. They can contract in an irregular manner when overloaded with body weight and sudden force required in sprinting during sports or team workouts. The toes push off to move forward as the back leg is straightened, causing possible strain.
Significance
Muscle tightness occurs when athletes do not stretch enough before a sporting event, making the muscles vulnerable to strains. Poor conditioning leaves the muscles weak and unable to deal with the pressures of athletic stress. Muscle fatigue or muscle imbalance, when one muscle group is stronger than an opposing muscle group, can lead to pulled hamstrings.
Considerations
Older athletes may have muscles that aren't properly conditioned for a sudden return to competitive sports, resulting in muscle strain, the AAOS warns. Adolescents are at risk for pulled hamstrings because their muscles and bones are growing, sometimes at different rates. A growing bone can have a stronger pull on the muscle and cause a strain.
Effects
A sudden or sharp pain at the back of the leg during exercise or sprinting indicates a pulled hamstring, the Sports Injury Clinic notes. Pain when stretching the muscle or contracting the muscle are also signs of a strained hamstring. Swelling and bruising of the back of the leg below the knee may occur within a few days after the hamstring is strained. Weakness or a gap in the muscle may be felt.
Prevention/Solution
Treatment for pulled hamstrings requires rest, gentle stretching of the thigh and hip, and muscle strengthening exercises, the Mayo Clinic says. The AAOS recommends the RICE treatment: rest, ice, compression and elevation. Rest provides a break from activity that caused the strain. Some athletes use crutches to keep weight off the leg. Ice packs used in 20-minute periods several times a day reduce swelling. Compression, such as elastic compression bandages, prevents more swelling and stops blood loss. Elevating the leg above the heart whenever possible reduces swelling. After the pain and swelling have subsided, physical therapy is recommended to restore motion and strength for the muscles, the AAOS explains. Surgery may be necessary when the strain causes the tendon to pull away from the bone or the muscle tears. The hamstring muscle is pulled back into place and the tendon is reattached to the bone during surgery.
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