What Is a Hamstring Pull?

The hamstring consists of three muscles: the biceps femoris, the semitendinosis and the semimembranosus, all located on the back of the leg between the knee and the buttock. They help the knee to bend and the thigh to move backward. This makes the hamstring essential for movements such as walking, running and trunk movement. According to sportsinjuryclinic.net, a hamstring pull or strain is a tear in one of the hamstring muscles. Pulling the muscle can be a debilitating injury, especially for an athlete.

Cause

• A hamstring pull typically occurs during exercise and is often caused by overextending the muscle. For example, a baseball player who is running hard to first base may injure the muscle while extending his leg when trying to beat the throw to the base. A sharp pain will occur immediately, and the person may not be able to walk or run.

Symptoms

• The person may also experience bruising or swelling of the muscle. Pain may also be present when attempting to straighten the leg or when bending the knee. The person may be able to feel a gap or space in the back of the leg where the muscle has pulled apart.

Severity

• There are three grades of hamstring pulls. In Grade 1, the person may be able to walk without much discomfort except for tightness in the back of the leg, and little swelling will be apparent. In Grade 2, the person will walk with a noticeable limp and swelling and pain will be more apparent. In a Grade 3 pull, the person likely needs assistance to walk and experiences significant swelling. Pain is acute, especially when attempting to bend the knee.

Treatment

• The sooner treatment begins on a pulled hamstring muscle, the better. The RICE method (rest, ice, compression, elevation) should be implemented in the first 48 hours. Once the swelling decreases, a rehabilitation process that involves stretching and strengthening of the muscle should begin. This helps heal the muscle and can help prevent future pulls.

Prevention

• Because hamstring pulls often occur when the muscle is tight, proper warm-up before exercise should take place. This involves performing hamstring stretches, which helps to make the muscle more flexible. To strengthen the muscle, do weightlifting exercises such as leg curls. Light aerobic exercise such as jogging in place is recommended.