Hamstring injuries are a condition when the hamstring muscles experience pull oru rips.Although it can happen to anyone, cedera hamstringmore generalexperienced by sportsman.
The hamstrings are made up of three large muscles located at the back of the thigh and extending from the hip to the bottom of the knee.
Based on the severity of the condition, hamstring injuries are divided into three levels, namely:
- Grade 1, there is a light pull on the hamstring muscles
- Grade 2, there is a tear in some of the hamstring muscles
- Grade 3, there is a tear in all parts of the hamstring muscle
Causes of Hamstring Injury
The main cause of hamstring injuries is overstretching of the hamstring muscles, especially during sudden and explosive movements. The following are some factors that can increase the risk of a hamstring injury:
- Have weak hamstring muscles
- Not stretching before exercise
- Ignoring the condition of the body that is already tired to keep exercising
- Have a history of hamstring injury
- Have poor muscle flexibility
- Old age
Hamstring Injury Symptoms
Symptoms of a hamstring injury that can occur depending on the severity are:
- Grade 1, sudden aches and pains in the back of the thigh
- Grade 2, grade 1 symptoms plus swelling and bruising in the hamstrings and muscle weakness in the injured leg
- Grade 3, symptoms at grade 2 plus a tearing or breaking sensation and loss of ability of the injured leg to bear weight
When to go to the doctor
Minor hamstring injuries with less severe symptoms can generally be managed independently. However, do check with your doctor if you experience symptoms that persist and do not improve immediately.
Hamstring Injury Diagnosis
To diagnose a hamstring injury, the doctor will ask questions about the symptoms and complaints experienced by the patient. After that, the doctor will perform a physical examination to determine the location of the pain and its severity. This will help the doctor determine the type of injury.
The doctor will also move the injured patient's leg in various directions to find out which part of the muscle is damaged and determine if the patient also has a ligament or tendon injury.
In severe hamstring injuries, the muscle can tear or detach from the bone. To see the condition of the muscles and surrounding organs more clearly, the doctor will perform supporting examinations, such as ultrasound, X-ray and MRI.
Hamstring Injury Treatment
The goal of treatment for a hamstring injury is to reduce the pain and swelling experienced by the patient. Some of the treatments that can be done are:
Self care
To treat a minor hamstring injury or speed up recovery after treatment, the doctor will advise the patient to perform self-care at home by:
- Rest the injured leg and try not to do the first activity. If necessary, use an assistive device, such as a cane, to keep the injured leg from bearing too much weight.
- Ice the injured leg for 20 minutes every 2-3 hours for several days.
- Wrap an elastic bandage over the injured area to reduce swelling.
- Place the injured leg on a pillow so that it is higher than your body, especially when sitting or lying down.
Drugs
Medications that doctors can give to treat hamstring injuries are types of: non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen or naproxen. These drugs can be used to reduce pain and inflammation.
Physiotherapy
Physiotherapy will be recommended by the doctor after the pain and swelling subsides. Your doctor will give you specific exercises to increase flexibility and strengthen your hamstring muscles.
Operation
The operation will be performed on the condition of the muscle detached from the bone due to great traction. Surgery is performed to reattach the loose muscle.
Hamstring Injury Complications
Complications of hamstring injury generally occur as a result of the patient having performed strenuous activities before the condition is completely healed. Some of the complications that can occur are:
- Repeat injury
- Muscles shrink due to infrequent use due to overuse of assistive devices, such as sticks
Hamstring Injury Prevention
Hamstring injuries are easier to prevent than to treat. Do the following to avoid hamstring injuries:
- Do stretches and hamstring strengthening exercises regularly.
- Warm up before and after exercising.
- Increase the intensity of the exercise slowly.
- Stop the exercise if you feel pain in the back of the thigh