Overview
Hamstring injury is a strain or tear of the muscles at the back of the thigh, commonly caused by sudden acceleration, deceleration, or overstretching during physical activity.
Symptoms
Sudden pain in the back of the thigh Swelling or bruising Difficulty walking or bending the knee Muscle weakness or stiffness
Causes
Sudden acceleration or deceleration during sports Overstretching or fatigue of hamstring muscles Poor conditioning or muscle imbalance
Diagnosis
Physical examination and assessment of pain Range of motion tests Imaging (ultrasound or MRI) for severe tears
Treatment
Rest and avoiding activities that worsen pain Ice packs and compression to reduce swelling Physical therapy for stretching and strengthening Rarely, surgery for complete muscle tears
Complications
Chronic weakness or recurrent injury Scar tissue formation limiting flexibility
Prevention
Warm-up and stretching before exercise Strengthening exercises for hamstring and surrounding muscles Gradual increase in intensity of physical activity