Factors Associated With Recurrent Hamstring Injuries

There are many factors involved in the recurrence of hamstring injuries. According to the British Journal of Sports Medicine, around 85% of hamstring and groin injuries have recurring episodes due to treatment problems or a faulty exercise technique.

Knee Problems

• The hamstring stabilizes the knee during exercise, and when the knee joint becomes damaged by tears or degeneration, the hamstring can be injured. The only treatment to completely solve recurring hamstring problems caused by knee damage is restoration of the damaged area of the knee.

Neural Tissue

• Damage or tightness of neural tissue can bring the possibility of recurrent hamstring injury, especially with exercise requiring sprinting and changes in the running pace. Damage to the neural tissue is often evidenced by reduced mobility in athletes.

Lumbar Spine Problems

• Pain in the lumbar spine can be due to joint stiffness or disc bulges resulting in nerve root irritation. The irritation of the nerves results in localized muscle pain, spasms and general tension in the hamstrings.

Curvature of the Lumbar Spine

• Problems with posture can result in curvature of the spine, which increases tension in the hamstrings. When the hamstrings become tight, they are more likely to be affected by fatigue and injury.

Quadriceps/Hamstring Ratio

• Physical activities such as cycling can result in over-development of the quadriceps, producing more force in the hamstrings than can be handled. These problems are more pronounced when athletic activities are mixed in sports such as the triathlon and when the body becomes fatigued.

Poor Technique

• When the body is put under stress during activities such as running, a poor technique can result in quicker than usual fatigue and injury to the hamstrings. This can be cured with an altered-stride pattern in activities such as running.