Hamstring Tears Causes, Symptoms & Treatment Options

Hamstring injuries are the most commonly reported injuries among athletes. These posterior thigh and knee muscle tears are especially frequent in sports that involve running, jumping, or sudden stops and starts, making them a common  injury in sports.

The hamstring is comprised of three muscles that run along the backside of the thigh:

• Semitendinosus
• Semimembranosus
• Biceps femoris

Each muscle of the hamstring connects at the hip, at the bottom of the pelvis, and at the knee. Hamstring injuries can occur close to the hip, in the middle of the hamstring, or behind the knee. These posterior thigh injuries can significantly impair athletic performance and daily function.

Injuries to the hamstring are classified by grades, depending on the extent of the injury:

• Grade I: A mild hamstring injury involving a muscle strain or pull of one of the muscles. Often referred to as a pulled hamstring, this is the mildest form.
• Grade II: A partial tear of one or more hamstring muscles.
• Grade III: A complete tear of one or more hamstring muscles.

Hamstring injuries are common in athletes with tightness in the hamstrings. Explosive movements, like jumping, or wear and tear from movements that strain the hamstring, like poor running mechanics that overstretch the muscle, can cause injury.

Hamstring injuries are common in these sports:

• Basketball
• Football
• Soccer
• Track and field
• Rugby
• Baseball
• Softball
• Tennis

You may have a hamstring injury if you experience sudden pain at the back of the thigh and one or more of the following symptoms:

• A popping sound
• Pain behind the knee
• Pain in the buttocks area
• Pain in the posterior thigh

This may indicate a partial or complete tear.

If you have symptoms of a hamstring injury, begin with the following hamstring strain treatment options at home:

• Rest (if your pain is severe, you may need crutches)
• Ice the affected area throughout the day
• Stretch the leg

If your symptoms progressively get worse or do not heal, make an appointment with an orthopedic specialist. During your appointment, your doctor will ask you to describe your symptoms. He/she will examine the knee for pain over the area of the tear and pain while stretching and contracting the hamstring muscle.

In order to confirm the diagnosis, assess the severity of the injury, and rule out other injuries, your doctor may prescribe the following imaging tests:

• X-rays to rule out damage to the bones
• MRI to diagnose a more serious injury

Grade I, grade II, and most grade III hamstring injuries are generally addressed with non-operative hamstring strain treatment, including:

• Rest
• Ice
• Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory medications
• Stretching
• Physical therapy with a licensed professional

Try these exercises to help address your condition:

Below is a PDF of the Exercise Program

Hamstring Tear

If you have a severe injury to the hamstring, like a complete grade III tear of the muscles at the hip level, you may be a candidate for surgery to repair the muscle. Surgery is rarely necessary for hamstring tears, but may be essential in cases where a hamstring fails to heal or a full hamstring detachment occurs.

During hamstring repair surgery, your doctor will reattach the muscle to its connection point on the pelvic or lower leg bone through a small incision.

The time it takes for you to recover after hamstring strain treatment and return to play depends on the severity of your injury:

• Grade I: Recovery from strains of the hamstring can take one to three weeks.
• Grade II: Partial tears of the hamstring can take four to eight weeks to completely heal.
• Grade III: Complete tears of the hamstring require approximately three to six months to heal. • With surgery, full recovery can take at least six months.

Recurring injuries to the hamstring are common after an initial injury. It is very important that you follow a rehabilitation program to regain your full motion and strength before you attempt to return to sports. In addition, it’s important to continue with an adequate stretching program to prevent future injuries.