A quick glance at the NFL injury
list, and you'll find quite a large number of athletes who won't be able to get
out on the field due to an injured hamstring. Names like Miles Austin, Larry
Fitzgerald, Vernon Davis, and Steven Jackson are just some of the players
killing fantasy player dreams. Hamstring injuries have been a problem for years
but have become more apparent since the NFL lockout in 2011. In an earlier blog
post we talked about the increased amount of NFL injuries this year and some of
the possible reasons injuries are occurring. You can check that out by clicking here. On
this week’s injury report, there are 45 players listed with hamstring as their
specific injury.
Depending on the extent of the
injury, players can expect to be out for an average of 2-3 three weeks before
becoming healthy enough to return. This varies greatly and depends on sever
factors including the extent of the tear. We’ll briefly go
What the heck is a
hamstring?
The hamstrings make up the majority of the back of the
thigh. They are 3 muscles that work together to flex our knee. The hamstrings
connect to the bottom portion of your pelvis just below your butt. From there they
run down the back of the thigh and their tendons cross the knee joint connecting
to each side of the shinbone.
As you can
see in the picture they actually do look like slabs of ham (red muscle belly)
connected to our bones by strings (tendons).
Most
hamstring injuries occur in the musculotendinous complex. This is the area where
the muscles and tendons join (the “strings”). The hamstring has a large
musculotendinous complex, which partly explains why hamstring injuries are so
common.
Muscle Action
The simple action of the hamstrings is to bend your knee as
in bringing your heel towards your butt. They play a much more crucial role
during sport specific activities such as running, jumping, and cutting. During
these high-speed activities the hamstring muscle group undergoes repetitive
eccentric (muscle lengthening) contractions to control knee extension and
maximize efficiency by distributing ground reaction forces throughout the body
with each impact.
Mechanism of Injury
Injuries to the hamstring usually
are non-contact injuries occurring after sudden lunging, sprinting, or jumping resulting
in muscle injury. The sudden jerking pulls on the tissues of the hamstring
muscle, commonly referred to as a “pulled hamstring.” Oftentimes, a “pop” is
heard or felt by the injured athlete. A variable amount of pain is experienced
immediately. The athlete is usually unable to continue and oftentimes cannot
even stand.
Common Signs and Symptoms
• Pain, tenderness, swelling, warmth, or redness over the hamstring muscles
at the back of the thigh• Pain that worsens during and after strenuous activity
• “Pop” often heard in the area at the time of injury
• Muscle spasm in the back of the thigh
• Pain or weakness with running, jumping, or bending the knee against resistance
• Crepitation (a crackling sound) when the tendon is moved or touched
• Bruising in the thigh 48 hours following the injury
• Loss of fullness of the muscle or area of muscle bulging with complete rupture
Recovery
In the acute phase, 24-48 hours, following a hamstring
strain typical treatment is R.I.C.E. (Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation).
After this phase, it is very important to have your leg evaluated by a physical
therapist or other medical professional. Hamstring injuries have a very high recurrence
rate if not treated properly. After the acute phase a progression of hamstring strengthening
and flexibility begins. Research indicates that eccentric strengthening is best
used for tendon injuries to prevent recurrence. Once strength and flexibility
are regained, the athlete progresses to sport specific training such as running
and jumping.
For more in depth information check out this great article
on hamstring injury prevention and training.
Ryan McDevitt, DPT
Ryan McDevitt, DPT
