Hamstring Strain

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KEY POINTS

• A hamstring strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle in the group of muscles in the back of your thigh.
• Change or stop doing the activities that cause pain until the injury heals.
• Strains can be treated with moist heat, ice, medicine, and sometimes physical therapy.

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What is a hamstring strain?

A hamstring strain is a stretch or tear of a muscle in the group of muscles in the back of your thigh. This type of injury is often called a pulled muscle. It is a very common injury.

What is the cause?

A hamstring muscle strain most often happens during activities such as running or jumping.

What are the symptoms?

Symptoms may include:

• A snapping or popping sound at the time of the injury
• Pain or burning in the back of your upper leg
• Pain when you walk or bend or straighten your leg
• Bruising on your leg a few days after the injury

How is it diagnosed?

Your healthcare provider will ask about your symptoms, activities, and medical history and examine you.

How is it treated?

You will need to change or stop doing the activities that cause pain until your muscle or tendon has healed. For example, you may need to swim or bicycle instead of run. You may need to use crutches if it’s too painful to walk.

A mild strain may heal within a few weeks. A more severe strain may take 6 weeks or longer.

How can I take care of myself?

To help relieve swelling and pain:

• Put an ice pack, gel pack, or package of frozen vegetables wrapped in a cloth on the sore area every 3 to 4 hours for up to 20 minutes at a time.
• Do ice massage. To do this, freeze water in a Styrofoam cup, then peel the top of the cup away to expose the ice. Hold the bottom of the cup and rub the ice over the painful area for 5 to 10 minutes. Do this several times a day while you have pain.
• Keep your leg up on pillows so that it is above the level of your heart when you sit or lie down.
• Take nonprescription pain medicine, such as acetaminophen, ibuprofen, or naproxen. Read the label and take as directed. Unless recommended by your healthcare provider, you should not take these medicines for more than 10 days.
  • Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory medicines (NSAIDs), such as ibuprofen, naproxen, and aspirin, may cause stomach bleeding and other problems. These risks increase with age.
  • Acetaminophen may cause liver damage or other problems. Unless recommended by your provider, don't take more than 3000 milligrams (mg) in 24 hours. To make sure you don’t take too much, check other medicines you take to see if they also contain acetaminophen. Ask your provider if you need to avoid drinking alcohol while taking this medicine.
• Put moist heat on the sore area for 10 to 15 minutes before you do warm-up and stretching exercises. Moist heat may help relax your muscles. Moist heat includes heat patches or moist heating pads that you can buy at most drugstores, a warm wet washcloth, or a hot shower. To prevent burns to your skin, follow directions on the package and do not lie on any type of hot pad. Don’t use heat if you have swelling.
• Wrap an elastic bandage around your leg for support and to help treat or prevent swelling. You may also get an elastic or neoprene sleeve to wear around your thigh.

Follow your healthcare provider's instructions, including any exercises recommended by your provider. Ask your provider:

• How long it will take to recover
• If there are activities you should avoid and when you can return to your normal activities
• How to take care of yourself at home
• What symptoms or problems you should watch for and what to do if you have them

Make sure you know when you should come back for a checkup. Keep all appointments for provider visits or tests.

How can I help prevent a hamstring strain?

Warm-up exercises and stretching before activities can help prevent injuries. This is especially important if you are doing jumping or sprinting sports.