Athletes in sports such as basketball, baseball and track and field sustain many muscle strains, frequently resulting in a hamstring injury. Damage to this muscle group at the back of the thigh occurs when the legs are called upon for a burst of speed and/or a bounding stretch.
In addition to a sports play, a blow to the legs or a slip on wet flooring that causes the legs to slide apart can cause a strained hamstring. Treatments for leg pain and muscle recovery can usually be performed at home.
Stress Protection
Because the upper leg muscles must bear a large proportion of body weight, they need extra protection following a hamstring injury. The University of Maryland Medical Center recommends at least a day of rest from weight-bearing activity.
Some patients may not be able to walk due to leg pain and weakness. Moving should be attempted only within individual comfort zones. An elastic compression bandage or thigh wrap can be used to support strained hamstring muscles and protect them from stress, even when resting and in between icing sessions.
Cold Pack Applications
NYU Langone Medical Center prescribes cold packs for muscle strains in the leg. Patients can apply cold compresses to the thigh by propping the affected area on a pillow topped with an ice pack or reusable gel pack.
Cold therapy should take place for up to 20 minutes at a time four times a day until leg pain diminishes. Refrigerator-chilled gel packs may be placed against clothing or skin, while ice or frozen gel packs should be wrapped in a towel before treatments.
Pain Medication Regimens
Serious hamstring injury generates a high level of leg pain. During this type of muscle strain, tendons and ligaments may be involved, with tissue tearing away from the bone. The University of Maryland Medical Center notes that these cases may need doctor-administered cortisone shots to provide sufficient pain and inflammation relief.
For mild to moderate hamstring strains, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen and acetaminophen will manage acute symptoms.
Controlled Exercise
NYU Langone Medical Center reports that most muscle strains to the hamstrings take between 10 days and two months to resolve. Meanwhile, patients should gently resume daily activity and physical fitness exercise.
As swelling and pain dwindle, easy movements of the upper leg several times a day will help to improve its range of motion. Exercise can be gradually ramped up. Physical therapists are trained to design rehabilitation programs specifically for hamstring injury that will be safe for individual conditions and rates of healing. Sports should not be attempted until muscle strength and conditioning have been restored.
