• Sudden, sharp pain in the buttock or back of the hip during forceful movement (sptinting, kicking, jumping)
• A possible "pop" or snapping sensation at the moment of the injury
• Difficulty walking such as limping of inability to put full weight on the injured leg
• Tenderness when pressing on the "sit bone"
• Pain bwhen bending the knee against resistance (i.e. trying to pull your heel toward your buttock while someone resists)
• Pain when stretching the hamstring
• Bruising of the back of the thigh
• Pain that may radiate down the back of the thigh, sometimes mimicjing sciatic neve pain
• Pain when sitting on hard surfaces

• Occurs during a sudden, explosive movement in which a "pop" is heard, followed immediately by a sudden, sharp, shooting pain.
• Pain is severe enough that you have to stop any activity.
• The pain occurs in the deep buttocks on the "sit bone" (the bony bump you can feel when you sit on a hard surface)
• Pain typically radiates down the back of the thigh, making walking difficult and sitting painful

• Sprinting or accelerating suddenly
• Kicking forcefully
• Jumping or hurdling - explosive takeoff movements
• Sliding into a split and forced overstretching of the hamstrings
• Rapid deceleration (i.e. suddenly slowing down frmo a sprint)
• Lifting heavy weights with poor form

• Am I between the ages of 10 and 18?
• Did the pain start suddenly during a specific movement, rather than building up gradually over time?
• Did I feel or hear a "pop" in my buttock area at the moment of injury?
• Is the pain located deep in the buttock, right on the "sit bone", rather than in the middle of the back of the thigh?
• Is it painful to sit on hard surfaces?
• Am I having significant difficulty walking?
• Does it hurt when I try to bend your knee against resistance?
• Has the pain persisted or worsened despite rest and typical hamstring strain treatment?
• Was I in a growth spurt around the time of injury?

Educational only — not a medical diagnosis.

1. 1Stop the activity immediately.
2. 2Apply ice to the buttock area for 15–20 minutes at a time, with a cloth barrier to protect the skin. Repeat every 1–2 hours in the first 24–48 hours.
3. 3Use crutches and avoid putting full weight on the injured leg until evaluated by a medical professional.
4. 4Do not stretch the hamstring. Unlike a simple muscle pull, stretching can pull the bone fragment further away and make the injury worse.
5. 5See a doctor and get X-rays.
6. 6Do not return to sports until cleared by a medical professional.

• Numbness, tingling, or shooting pain down the back of the leg.
• Inability to walk at all or severe pain with any weight bearing.
• Significant swelling or rapidly spreading bruising in the buttock or thigh.
• Pain that gets worse over days rather than gradually improving.
• Loss of strength and inability to bend the knee or extend the hip against even light resistance
• Symptoms that persist beyond 2–3 weeks despite rest.
• A hard lump developing in the buttock area weeks after the injury.

• Do not rush back to sports. Returning too early is the most common reason for complications, including nonunion (the bone never reattaching). The reinjury/complication risk is highest in the first few months.
• Avoid sitting on hard surfaces for prolonged periods during recovery.
• Maintain fitness safely withupper body exercises and swimming (if pain-free) can help maintain conditioning without stressing the injury.
• Watch for warning signs during recovery. If pain plateaus or worsens after initial improvement, return to the doctor for repeat imaging to check healing progress.
• Follow a phased rehabilitation program.