Techniques for Bandaging a Hamstring

Hamstring injuries are both painful and debilitating, and a severe one can leave you unable to walk for perhaps weeks at a time. Recognizing a hamstring injury and immediately applying the right type of bandage can help prevent the injury from worsening, thus cutting down on the overall healing time.

Hamstring Injuries

• Hamstring injuries are very common among athletes who are required to sprint or change directions suddenly in mid-stride. This includes hurdlers, sprinters and football and basketball players. Hamstring injuries can also be caused by extreme overuse or a sudden pressure placed on the muscles. The sooner a bandage is placed on the injured hamstring, the more likely it is that the damage to the muscles will be minimized.

  There are three main types of hamstring sprains, denoted by their severity. A grade 1 sprain indicates that the muscles or tendons have been hyper-extended, leading to tiny tears and sharp pain. Grade 1 tears typically require short recovery time and will heal more quickly if they are treated quickly with a bandage and cold compress immediately after the issue is identified.

  A grade 2 tear is more severe and indicates that there has been major tears or ruptures in the hamstring. These will be extremely painful to the touch, may form bruises and will limit movement of the leg. These typically take between three and six weeks to fully heal, during which time a compression bandage will help keep the muscles immobile.

  Grade 3 hamstring injuries are the most severe with a complete tear of the muscle, or complete detachment of the ligament from either the pelvis or the knee. You can identify these easily, as the muscle will be rendered completely useless, major bruising along the outer thigh is visible and the muscle itself may appear lumpy in appearance. Bandages should be used with caution for these injuries as too much pressure can exacerbate the tear. This will take two to six months to heal and will often require surgery to repair the ruptured hamstring.

Bandages

• Compression bandages provide a means of immobilizing injured muscles in order to prevent further injury. To use one of these bandages you will need to keep the hamstring elevated and straight, and gently wrap the bandage around the affected area. These bandages are typically used as a temporary means of providing safe support for a grade 1 or 2 injury. The compression bandage should be applied as soon as possible after the injury occurs. With severe injuries, especially grade 2 or 3 sprains, always contact a health care professional for medical attention. Once your doctor gives you the clearance to use these at home, couple the compression bandage with ice and light physical therapy to speed recovery.