How can pulled hamstring injury be treated?

Most hamstring wounds heal without surgery. In rare cases, where there is a complete break with the ischium, or when important part of the ischial bone is jerky far, surgery is necessary. Essentially, all other cases in I-III tears' levels can be treated without surgery.

The goal of treatment is to restore muscle function and prevent scarring. Initially, treatment consists of rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE). Rest refers to avoid offending activities, and often includes immobilization. In severe cases, crutches or a brace can compress. Ice, compression and elevation all can help control the pain and swelling. A short course of nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs like aspirin, ibuprofen (Advil, Medipren, Motrin, Nuprin, PediaCare Fever etc.) or naproxen (Anaprox, Naprelan, Naprosyn, Aleve) may help.

As soon as pain allows, it is important to begin a program of stretching and range of motion exercises, because prolonged immobilization and inactivity results in muscle shrinkage (atrophy) and scar tissue (fibrosis). Excessive scar tissue is incompatible with healthy muscle function. Atrophy and fibrosis are best avoided or reduced through a program of movement and stretching out at the beginning of the rehabilitation process.

It should be emphasized that early rehabilitation program does not mean a rapid return to normal activity. The kind of person who has a significant hamstring injury, it is generally difficult to keep patient out of the sports field playing. Relapse is extremely common and is often due to an avoidable premature return to sport. Relapse not only prolongs the recovery, it also increases the risk of permanent damage. People with these injuries must be informed at the beginning of the rehabilitation program on the risk of relapse.

After the pain and swelling have been controlled and the acceptable range of motion and flexibility has been achieved, a gradual strengthening program should follow next. After sufficient strength is back, then a gradual return to the desired activity is attempted. Complete return is usually possible only after regaining maximum flexibility and optimum resistance. Depending on the severity of injury, the entire rehabilitation process can take several months. Physiotherapists can help you guide the exercise program.

How to prevent the hamstring injury?

There is no sure way to completely avoid hamstring injuries. However, the risks can be minimized by maintaining attention to the principles of muscle strength and flexibility. A person's flexibility should be maximized by a regular program of stretching and a warm-up and stretching before the intended athletics' activity.

Optimal resistance of hamstring is that which has at least half the strength of the quadriceps muscle (muscle in front of the thigh). Also, there should be a minimum balance of power between left and right (the hamstring injuries should be about 90% as strong as the hamstrings free). If necessary, a resistance training program should be established to achieve these goals optimally.

A well balanced diet and adequate intake of fluid is essential to avoid dehydration and electrolyte imbalance. Dehydration can cause muscle cramps, increasing the risk of muscle injury. Excess body weight increases the risk of lower limb muscle injury. Some experts have also advocated the use of nutritional supplements such as antioxidants. Unfortunately, despite all the efforts of prevention and treatment, hamstring injuries continue to be a common scourge of the high performance athletes and so-called "weekend warriors".

Pulled hamstring causes

To understand what causes a hamstring injury, you need to know how muscles work. All muscles work in pairs to complete a task. A set of muscles contracts to exert force while the other set of muscles relaxes. The hamstring muscles on the back of the thigh, work with the quadriceps muscle group in front of the thigh. When you want to bend the leg, the hamstrings contract and the quadriceps muscles relax. Conversely, when you want to straighten your leg, the quadriceps, the muscles contract and the hamstring muscles relax.

If a muscle group is much stronger than its opposing muscle group, the imbalance can lead to deformation. This happens frequently with hamstrings. The quadriceps muscles are usually much more powerful so hamstrings may become fatigued faster. A fatigued muscle can not relax as easily when its opposing muscle contracts which is leading to strains.

Muscle strains are overuse injuries that occur when the muscle is stretched without being properly warmed up. A hamstring injury is usually obvious. Mild strain is just the simple muscle discomfort. A more serious injury may result in a sharp pain in the back of the thigh, usually in full swing. A break or tear may leave you unable to stand or walk, the muscles may be tender to the touch and it can be painful to stretch your legs. Within days after a tear, the hamstring area may appear very bruised.

Remember RICE, and you will know the immediate treatment protocol for many sports-related injuries, including hamstring pulls or strains:

R - Rest the affected area.
I - Ice the injury.
C - Compress the injury (apply a bandage or a compression device of the other).
E - Elevation of the injury.

If the muscle is completely torn, surgery may be necessary to repair and reattach. No treatment is complete without proper rehabilitation to strengthen and stretch the muscle.

Can pulled hamstring cause back injury?

You often hear about athletes who are unable to practice their sport due to a pulled hamstring. Indeed, a pulled hamstring is one of the most common muscle pull or muscle injury. Hamstrings are a group of three muscles that help to stretch your legs at the hip and flex the knee. A pulled hamstring is a strain or tear in the muscles or tendons.

The best way to prevent a hamstring injury is having a warm up before activity and stretch after the activity. Weak hamstrings or tight can contribute to back pain, doing exercises to strengthen and stretch the hamstrings may also reduce your risk of back pain. Make sure you do all the training exercises in the form of opposing muscles. For example if you work the quadriceps also be sure to work the hamstrings. The best exercise to isolate these muscle groups would be the leg press and the work of the quadriceps and hamstrings, respectively. If you feel your hamstring gives you the muscle imbalance be sure to work a little harder by adding an extra set or more weight in your training.

A good stretch is to sit down and straighten your left leg. The sole of your right foot should rest next to the inside of the leg straightened. Lean slightly forward and touch your foot with your fingers. Keep your left foot upright with the ankle and toes relaxed. Hold for 30 seconds, then repeat with the right leg.

What are the symptoms of pulled hamstring?

Hamstring injuries usually occur with sudden runs, running, or jumping, resulting in muscle injury. It is commonly called "pulled hamstring". Often a "pop" is heard or felt by the injured athlete. A variable amount of pain is felt immediately. The sportsman is usually unable to continue his performance.

Examination of the person with a thigh injury reveals spasm, tightness and tenderness. With more serious injuries, swelling and black and blue bruises might appear. Strains most often occur in the middle of the back of the thigh where the muscle joins its tendon.

How the hamstring can be pulled?

Injuries to the thigh muscle group can vary from a minor strain to a major break. A minor strain is classified as a grade I tear, then II grade - a complete break or tear, a tear is classified as grade III. Grade II tears are partial ruptures. It should not be surprising that grade III injuries most often occur in the active sportsman. Strongly torn muscle causes dysfunction.

Grade I injuries tend to be soft so they tend to heal completely with only minor injuries worsening, especially in sedentary individuals. On the other hand, in power athletes, hamstring injuries can be severe and debilitating. Many promising careers or athletic successes have been limited or terminated by such injuries. A memorable example is that of the Yankee baseball star Mickey Mantle sprawled in agony at first base, having undergone a massive tear grade III while rushing to beat a jet. Even the simple joint exercises such as jumping rope, tennis, walking elliptical machine can result in injury of the hamstring muscles.

Cristiano Ronaldo pulled hamstring

Cristiano Ronaldo came out a quarter of an hour late Thursday night after scoring his third goal. The Portuguese felt pain in his left thigh and preferred not to take risks. "There are some important games to come. That's why I requested the change" - said the Portuguese. Touched the hamstrings, Ronaldo is expected to miss the trip to Santander on Sunday but will be restored to the coming of the Olympique Lyonnais to Real Madrid.
The Madrid star should undergo medical examinations that will determine the severity of his injury.