Hamstring Strain
A hamstring strain is an injury that occurs when the hamstring muscles are overstretched or overloaded. The hamstring muscles are a group of muscles at the back of the thighs. These muscles are used in straightening the hips, bending the knees, and pulling back the legs.
This type of injury is often called a pulled hamstring muscle. The severity of a muscle strain is rated in degrees. First-degree strains have the least amount of muscle fiber tearing and pain. Second-degree and third-degree strains have increasingly more tearing and pain.
CAUSES
Hamstring strains occur when a sudden, violent force placed on these muscles stretches them too far. This often occurs during activities that involve running, jumping, kicking,
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TREATMENT
Often, the best treatment for a hamstring strain is resting, icing, applying compression, and elevating the injured area. This is referred to as the PRICE method of treatment. Your health care provider may also recommend medicines to help reduce pain or inflammation.
HOME CARE INSTRUCTIONS
• Use the PRICE method of treatment to promote muscle healing during the first 2–3 days after your injury. The PRICE method involves:
○ Protecting the muscle from being injured again.
○ Restricting your activity and resting the injured body part.
○ Icing your injury. To do this, put ice in a plastic bag. Place a towel between your skin and the bag. Then, apply the ice and leave it on for 20 minutes, 2–3 times per day. After the third day, switch to moist heat packs.
○ Apply compression to the injured area with an elastic bandage. Be careful not to wrap it too tightly. This may interfere with blood circulation or increase swelling.
○ Elevate the injured body part above the level of your heart as often as you can. You can do this by putting a pillow under your thigh.
• Take medicines only as directed by your health care