Suffering from hamstring pain can be frustrating and limiting, which can be even worse if it stops you from going about your daily life or affects your performance in sports. The hamstring muscles are important for movement, and injury to them can severely affect the ability to be mobile.

Whether you’re an athlete, a fitness enthusiast, or someone dealing with muscle discomfort, hamstring muscle injuries can literally restrict your movement.

Knowing the Hamstring Muscles

Hamstring muscles are a group of three muscles in the back of your thigh. These muscles work to facilitate knee flexion (bending of the knee) and hip extension (moving the leg towards the rear). They are essential for walking, running, jumping, and many sports. These muscles can get overextended and overloaded, which can result in hamstring muscle injuries causing pain and limitations in movement:

• Biceps Femoris—Located on the outside of the thigh.
• Semitendinosus—situated in the middle section of the thigh.
• Semimembranosus—The innermost among the three muscles.

6 Common Causes of Hamstring Pain

Usually, hamstring pain occurs due to imposing excessive strain or stress on the muscles. Some common causes include:

Overstretching

If the hamstring muscle is stretched outside of its range of motion, hamstring damage can occur. That’s common during yoga, martial arts, or gymnastics.

Sudden Acceleration or Deceleration

Sports such as sprinting, soccer, or basketball require quick bursts of speed. Sudden movement may lead to a pulled hamstring injury with severe hamstring muscle pain.

Muscle Imbalance

If the quadriceps (front thigh muscles) are much stronger compared to the hamstring muscle, it can cause too much strain on the hamstring insertion (the points in which the muscle fixates on the bone), which will lead to a hamstring injury.

Poor Flexibility or Weakness

Tight or weak hamstring muscles are more prone to injury. Lack of proper stretching and strengthening can contribute to hamstring hurts.

Inadequate Warm-Up

The sudden strain of jumping into rigorous exercise without a warmup can spur muscle spasms and tightness, leading to a hamstring muscle-movement injury.

Fatigue and Overuse

Using the hamstring muscles too much without giving them proper recovery can deplete them, which can put them at risk for strain and hamstring insertion injuries before they even begun to strengthen.

Symptoms of Hamstring Injuries

Hamstring muscle injuries are categorised based on their severity:

Grade 1 (Mild Hamstring Strain)

1. Slight discomfort or hamstring muscle pain.
2. Tightness in the back of the thigh.
3. Minimal swelling.
4. No significant loss of strength.

Grade 2 (Moderate Hamstring Tear)

1. More intense hamstring pain.
2. Swelling and bruising in the affected area.
3. Difficulty walking or stretching the leg.
4. Noticeable weakness in the hamstring muscles.

Grade 3 (Severe Hamstring Injury)

1. Sudden, sharp hamstring hurts with a popping sensation.
2. Severe swelling and bruising.
3. Inability to stand or bear weight on the injured leg.
4. Visible muscle deformity or indentation.

Hamstring Injury Tests

When you have continuous hamstring pain, you should visit an orthopaedician in Delhi to determine the exact condition. The doctor will:

• Examine physically for any swelling, tenderness, and mobility.
• Ask you about your symptoms and recent activities that could have caused the injury.
• Suggest imaging tests, such as X-rays, MRIs, or ultrasounds, to assess the extent of hamstring damage.

Treatment for Hamstring Injuries in Delhi

Treatment for hamstring muscle injuries varies based on the grade of the injury:

Immediate First Aid (RICE Method)

For mild to moderate hamstring muscle injuries, follow the RICE method:

• Rest: Skip anything that makes your hamstring sore.
• Ice: Use ice packs for 15-20 minutes every couple of hours to decrease swelling.
• Compression: This involves using a compression bandage to stabilise the muscle and prevent or minimise swelling.
• Elevation: Raise your leg to reduce fluid accumulation and swelling.

Pain Management

Taking over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen or acetaminophen can assist with hamstring muscle pain. Always seek your doctor’s advice before taking any medication.

Physical Therapy and Rehabilitation

A structured rehabilitation program will help in early and faster recovery. A physiotherapist will recommend:

• Stretching exercise slowly to increase flexibility.
• Exercises to improve the function of impaired muscle groups.
• Proceed with the gradual return to activity to avoid re-injury.

An orthopaedic specialist in Delhi can prescribe the following for severe injuries:

• Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) Therapy: Utilises amplified platelets extracted from your blood to speed up healing.
• Surgical Repair: If the hamstring muscle is completely torn, surgery may be required to reattach the muscle insertion to the bone.

Preventing Hamstring Injuries

Prevention is the best way to avoid hamstring muscle injuries. Here’s how you can protect your hamstring muscles:

• Warm Up Properly: Warm up with 10-15 minutes of light aerobic activity before working out.
• Strength Training: Include hamstring-strengthening exercises, such as deadlifts, hamstring curls, and glute bridges.
• Stretch Regularly: Stretching a few minutes a day increases flexibility and decreases the risk of hamstring pain.
• Maintain a Balanced Workout: Do not weaken the quadriceps and glutes without strengthening them while overworking the hamstring muscles.
• Maintain hydration and an adequate diet: Adequate hydration and nutrition can help support muscle health.

When to See a Specialist

Consult with an orthopedician in Dwarka, who will assess your condition and recommend appropriate treatments to ensure a full recovery. Seek immediate medical attention if:

1. Your hamstring hurts severely, and you cannot move your leg.
2. You heard a popping sound at the time of injury.
3. There is severe bruising or muscle deformity.
4. Home treatment hasn’t improved your symptoms within a few days.

Hamstring muscle injuries can be difficult to manage, but you may fully recover and restore your mobility with appropriate treatment and care. If you experience persistent hamstring muscle pain, don’t ignore it.

At The Bone Clinic, our expert orthopaedic specialists in Delhi are dedicated to providing world-class care for hamstring muscle injuries and other orthopaedic conditions.

Book an appointment today and take the first step toward a pain-free life!