Hamstring injury
Recovering from a hamstring injury may take days, weeks or months, depending on how severe the strain or tear is.
A completelytorn hamstring (grade 3) may take several months to heal and you'll be unable to resume training or play sport during this time.
During the firsttwo or threedays, you should care for your injury by following the steps below.
Regularpainkillers, such as paracetamol or a non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID) cream or gel, may also help relieve the pain.
Short-term use of oral NSAIDs, such as ibuprofen tablets, can also help reduce swelling and inflammation. However, these aren't suitable for everyone. Check the leaflet that comes with your medication to see if you can take it.
Returning to strenuous exercise too quickly could make your injury worse, but avoiding exercise for too long can cause your hamstring muscles to shrink and scar tissue to form around the tear.
To avoid this, you should start doing gentle hamstringstretches after a few days, when the pain has started tosubside.
This should be followed by a programme of gentle exercise, such as walking and cycling , and hamstring strengthening exercises.
Your GP can give you further advice and, if necessary, refer you to a physiotherapist for a suitable exercise programme.
To avoid injuring yourself again, you should only return to a full level of activity when your hamstring muscles are strong enough. Your physiotherapist or GP will be able to advise you about this.
Many people need to avoid sports for at least a few weeks, but the length of time you need off will depend on the severity of your injury.
Read about hamstring injuries, including the different types, how they're treated and how long it takes to recover.
The hamstrings are tendons (strong bands of tissue) at the back of the thighs that attachthe large thigh muscle to the bone. The term 'hamstring' also refers to the group of three muscles that run al
A hamstringinjury can occur if any of the tendons or muscles are stretched beyond their limit. They often occur during sudden, explosive movements, such as sprinting, lunging or jumping.But theycan a
Mild hamstring strains (grade 1) will usuallycause sudden pain and tenderness the back ofyour thigh. It may be painful to move your leg, but the strength of the muscle shouldn't be affected. Partial
Most hamstring injuries can be cared for at home using the techniques outlined below. Consider seeing your GP if you have any concerns about your injury, particularly if you think it's a severe injur
Recovering from a hamstring injury may take days, weeks or months, depending on how severe the strain or tear is. A completelytorn hamstring (grade 3) may take several months to heal and you'll be un