eMedicine Specialties > Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation > Lower Limb Musculoskeletal Conditions

Hamstring Strain: Follow-up

Author: Jeffrey M Heftler, MD, Interventional Physiatrist, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Specialists, Greenwich, CT
Coauthor(s): Michael F Saulino, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Thomas Jefferson University, MossRehab
Contributor Information and Disclosures

Updated: Apr 10, 2009

Follow-up

Further Outpatient Care

Deterrence

  • Prevention of reinjury is dependent upon successful completion of the rehabilitation program and preactivity warm-up and stretching, although there is limited evidence to prove this conclusion.

Prognosis

  • The prognosis usually is good for complete or near complete improvement in 6-18 weeks. Unfortunately, there are patients who develop chronic problems, possibly due to repeated stresses on the tendon that cause tendinosis. In this case, the tendon is not healing properly, and fibrotic changes take place in the tendon.

Patient Education

Miscellaneous

Medicolegal Pitfalls

  • Failure to diagnose and treat this condition properly could lead to a chronic condition, as well as to a possible worsening of the condition. An athlete may lose game time, as well as practice time.
 


More on Hamstring Strain

Overview: Hamstring Strain
Differential Diagnoses & Workup: Hamstring Strain
Treatment & Medication: Hamstring Strain
Follow-up: Hamstring Strain
Multimedia: Hamstring Strain
References
Further Reading
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References

  1. Schache AG, Wrigley TV, Baker R, et al. Biomechanical response to hamstring muscle strain injury. Gait Posture. Feb 2009;29(2):332-8. [Medline].

  2. Yu B, Queen RM, Abbey AN, et al. Hamstring muscle kinematics and activation during overground sprinting. J Biomech. Nov 14 2008;41(15):3121-6. [Medline].

  3. Silder A, Heiderscheit BC, Thelen DG, et al. MR observations of long-term musculotendon remodeling following a hamstring strain injury. Skeletal Radiol. Dec 2008;37(12):1101-9. [Medline].

  4. Davis KW. Imaging of the hamstrings. Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. Mar 2008;12(1):28-41. [Medline].

  5. Warren P, Gabbe BJ, Schneider-Kolsky M, et al. Clinical predictors of time to return to competition and of recurrence following hamstring strain in elite Australian footballers. Br J Sports Med. Aug 14 2008;[Medline].

  6. Sallay PI, Ballard G, Hamersly S, et al. Subjective and functional outcomes following surgical repair of complete ruptures of the proximal hamstring complex. Orthopedics. Nov 2008;31(11):[Medline].

  7. Agre JC. Hamstring injuries. Proposed aetiological factors, prevention, and treatment. Sports Med. Jan-Feb 1985;2(1):21-33. [Medline].

  8. Baquie P, Reid G. Management of hamstring pain. Aust Fam Physician. Dec 1999;28(12):1269-70. [Medline].

  9. Brukner P. Hamstring injuries. Aust Fam Physician. Jul 1996;25(7):1109-12. [Medline].

  10. Clanton TO, Coupe KJ. Hamstring strains in athletes: diagnosis and treatment. J Am Acad Orthop Surg. Jul-Aug 1998;6(4):237-48. [Medline].

  11. Hartig DE, Henderson JM. Increasing hamstring flexibility decreases lower extremity overuse injuries in military basic trainees. Am J Sports Med. Mar-Apr 1999;27(2):173-6. [Medline].

  12. Hennessey L, Watson AW. Flexibility and posture assessment in relation to hamstring injury. Br J Sports Med. Dec 1993;27(4):243-6. [Medline].

  13. Laskowski E. Concepts in sports medicine. In: Braddom RL, ed. Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. Philadelphia, Pa: Saunders; 1996:930-1.

  14. Medical Economics Staff. Physician's Desk Reference. 55th ed. Oradell, NJ: Medical Economics Co; 2000:2631-4.

  15. Pomeranz SJ, Heidt RS Jr. MR imaging in the prognostication of hamstring injury. Work in progress. Radiology. Dec 1993;189(3):897-900. [Medline].

  16. Scoggin JF 3rd. Common sports injuries seen by the primary care physician. Part II: Lower extremity. Hawaii Med J. May 1998;57(5):502-5. [Medline].

  17. Speer KP, Lohnes J, Garrett WE Jr. Radiographic imaging of muscle strain injury. Am J Sports Med. Jan-Feb 1993;21(1):89-95; discussion 96. [Medline].

  18. Worrell TW. Factors associated with hamstring injuries. An approach to treatment and preventative measures. Sports Med. May 1994;17(5):338-45. [Medline].

  19. Yamamoto T. Relationship between hamstring strains and leg muscle strength. A follow-up study of collegiate track and field athletes. J Sports Med Phys Fitness. Jun 1993;33(2):194-9. [Medline].

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Keywords

hamstring strain, hamstring, pulled muscle, muscle strain, pulled hamstring, pulled muscles, hamstring injury, strained muscle, strained hamstring, hamstring muscle, hamstring pain, hamstring treatment, torn hamstring, hamstring muscles, hamstring tendon, strained muscles, hamstring injury treatment, hamstring pull

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Contributor Information and Disclosures

Author

Jeffrey M Heftler, MD, Interventional Physiatrist, Orthopaedic and Neurosurgical Specialists, Greenwich, CT
Jeffrey M Heftler, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation and American Medical Association
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Coauthor(s)

Michael F Saulino, MD, PhD, Assistant Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Thomas Jefferson University, MossRehab
Michael F Saulino, MD, PhD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, and Physiatric Association of Spine, Sports and Occupational Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Medical Editor

Curtis W Slipman, MD, Director, University of Pennsylvania Spine Center; Associate Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, University of Pennsylvania Medical Center
Curtis W Slipman, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Association of Academic Physiatrists, International Association for the Study of Pain, and North American Spine Society
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Pharmacy Editor

Francisco Talavera, PharmD, PhD, Senior Pharmacy Editor, eMedicine
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Managing Editor

Michael T Andary, MD, MS, Residency Program Director, Professor, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Michigan State University College of Osteopathic Medicine
Michael T Andary, MD, MS is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, American Association of Neuromuscular and Electrodiagnostic Medicine, American Medical Association, and Association of Academic Physiatrists
Disclosure: allergan Honoraria Speaking and teaching

CME Editor

Kelly L Allen, MD, Regional Medical Director, IMX-Medical Management Services
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

Chief Editor

Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD, Consulting Staff, Department of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation, Alegent Health Care, Immanuel Rehabilitation Center
Consuelo T Lorenzo, MD is a member of the following medical societies: American Academy of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Disclosure: Nothing to disclose.

 
 
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