Ask the Physio - Hamstring Tears Your hamstrings are a large group of muscles at the back of your thigh.
The
primary role of these muscles is to bend your knee. Collectively, these muscles are some of the strongest in the body but despite their strength, the hamstrings are very prone to injury. Hamstring strains and tears are quite common in sports involving sprinting, jumping and sudden changes in speed. Hamstring strains are categorised into 3 grades: • Grade 1 (mild) – A few muscle fibres are either damaged or ruptured; there may be pain a day after the injury but no loss of movement.
acute pain and swelling; definite muscle weakness and loss of function.
What
are the risk factors?
These include: • increased age • fatigue • strength imbalance • pelvic malalignment • previous injury of the hamstrings • poor core stability • tight hamstrings • tight hip flexors
How
can they be prevented?
Research has consistently shown that
Hamstring Muscles
leg slowly to the ground, your quadriceps
• Grade 2 (moderate) – Roughly half of the
the most important factor in prevent-
muscle fibres are torn; there may be acute
ing hamstring tears is having high eccen-
Your physiotherapist is able to show you
pain and mild loss of function; walking
tric strength in the hamstrings. Eccentric
some exercises that can target eccentric
will be affected.
muscle contractions occur when a muscle
muscle strength specifically as well as iden-
• Grade 3 (severe) – More than half of the
is contracting while also lengthening. For
tifying any risk factors that may be contrib-
muscle fibres are ruptured and there is
example, when you lower your straightened
uting to your individual risk.
muscle will be working eccentrically.
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The Canungra Times - September 2019