Hamstring & Groin Injury

Sprains and strains

Hamstring Strain

• Hamstring injuries are common in athletic populations and can affect all levels of athletes.
• Hamstring injuries can range from musculotendinous strains (partial tears) to avulsion injuries (complete tears).
• A strain is a partial or complete disruption of the musculotendinous unit. A complete tear or avulsion, in contrast, is a discontinuity of the tendon bone unit (where it tears off the bone).
• Most hamstring strains do not require surgery and resolve with a variety of treatment including physical therapy and rest.
• The most important point in evaluating these injuries is to differentiate the complete or partial tears from the muscle strain subgroup, because patients with a complete tear can suffer from more significant disabilities and inability to return to their prior activity levels.
• The hamstring is formed by three muscles in the back of the thigh.
• The hamstring may get overstretched when the sportsman kicks the leg out sharply during running.
• Falling forward may also cause a hamstring injury.
• This injury can be slow to heal due to the constant stress that comes on to the injured tissue from walking.