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Hamstring Strain

A hamstring strain is when the hamstring muscles on the back of your thigh are over stretched causing some the muscle fibers to tear apart. Depending on the severity a strain might only pull a few small fibers or it can tear right through it. This injury is typically graded on severity 1-3 with a grade 1 strain being mild, a grade 2 strain being partially torn, and a grade 3 strain when it is very severe and completely torn.

  • Bruising
  • bump or knot in muscle
  • feeling or hearing a pop when injury occured
  • muscle cramps
  • muscle stiffness
  • pain when using or touching hamstring
  • pain while sitting
  • swelling
  • difficulty moving leg.
  • A torn hamstring will likely be very painful and accompanied with feeling or hearing a pop coming from your hamstring and can cause difficulties with walking and sitting. Your hamstring will likely be bruised
  • swell
  • and will be tender. It will also feel very stiff and may cause muscle cramps. You may also feel pain in your butt
  • groin
  • and other parts of your legs.
  • Some common cause of torn hamstrings are:
  • Exerting to much force onto your hamstring during active movements
  • Slipping and falling
  • Running, jogging, walking, Jumping, Landing
  • Does touching your hamstring cause pain?
  • Is there swelling or visible bruising on or around your hamstring?
  • Is it difficult to walk or sit?
  • Is there pain in the back of your thigh while walking or sitting?

Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.

  1. 1Remove from activity: Stop all physical activity, sports, or work immediately to prevent a second injury.
  2. 2See a doctor
  3. 3Rest, Ice, Compression, and Elevation
  • Symptoms lasting for more than a few days.
  • Severe pain in leg while moving or sitting.
  • Inabillity or extreme weakness of ability to move leg.
  • Severe bruising and swelling.
  • Bleeding.
  • Lose of conscience
  • Spreading of severe pain to back or lower leg.
  • Ease Back In: Slowly add activities (light exercise, non-contact sports, ) that don't significantly worsen symptoms.
  • If necesarry ask doctors about leg and thigh protective gear which can be worn during activities.
  • Return to Play/Work: Follow strict, doctor-supervised protocols before returning to sports or demanding jobs to prevent re-injury.
  • Progress Slowly: Gradually increase intensity and duration of physical and mental tasks as symptoms allow, with doctor's clearance.
  • Listen to Your Body: If symptoms spike (bruising, swelling, pain), stop the activity and rest more.

For educational purposes only. Not a substitute for medical advice.

Tracks symptoms over time (not a diagnosis).