Torn Hamstring Repair

A torn hamstring is an excruciatingly painful injury that requires immediate medical attention to diagnose and treat. Even with proper care treatment and care, however, a complete tear takes a very long time to heal.

Identification

• The pain from a complete hamstring tear is excruciating and the individual will be unable to put any of weight on it. In addition to this, severe bruising often forms at the site of the injury and the muscles in the back of the thigh will look uneven or lumpy.

Types

• A tear in the hamstring generally falls under one of two categories. Sometimes the tear will develop in the muscle itself, which may manifest as a visible gap. Other times the muscle will tear free from the bone where it attaches, either at the top (pelvis) or at the bottom near the knee; this is known as muscle avulsion.

Treatment

• Treatment for a torn hamstring begins with the individual getting an magnetic resonance imaging exam to asses the extent of the damage. Repairing the muscle will almost certainly require major surgery coupled with rehabilitation and physical therapy.

Time Frame

• Strained muscles, depending on the extent of damage, may take 10 weeks to fully heal. A torn hamstring, on the other hand, has an average recovery time of nearly six months; this encompasses the time from when the injury occurred through physical therapy and rehabilitation.

Considerations

• Keep in mind that individual recovery time will vary, depending on how serious the tear is. Delaying medical attention can make treating the injury more difficult. If you suspect you have a torn hamstring, seek help from a health care professionally as soon as possible.