Blog

Common ways you may experience a hamstring strain is when your leg is outstretched (pictured above) while sprinting, running, changing direction, kicking, performing a slide tackle, or during a rapid deceleration.

What may you experience? 

• May report feeling a ‘shot’, ‘pop’, ‘snap’, ‘cramp’ or ‘spasm’
• Immediate pain along the back of  your thigh
• Upon examination may have the following present: obvious deformity, increased tightness along the muscle, pain may occur when stretching or contracting the muscle 

When can you return to the pitch?  

• Depends on the severity of your strain: with grade 1 (minimal damage) to  grade 3 (complete tear). 

• The location will also be a factor in your recovery frame. For example, an injury closer along your buttock may take longer to heal compared to an injury further down the leg. 

Considerations to assess return to play: 

• Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) is NOT the tool that will help determine when you’re ready to return to play. Your physical therapist will check to see that you have good mobility and strength. But, the real test is how your hamstrings holds up performing dynamic movements (running full speed and slowing down, changing directions, etc).

Wondering why so many athletes re-injure their hamstring? They return to their sport too soon, failing to fully address deficits, such as persistent weakness, decreased flexibility, etc. With each repeated injury, the recovery period may get even longer. So make sure you rehab your hamstring injury the first time around!