Hamstring Strain: Treatment, Cost and Side Effects

The hamstring injury is one of the most formidable of the injuries. It is the tear of the hamstring muscles, the muscles at the back of the thigh which are responsible to bend the knee and straighten the hips. Usually, the minor injuries to the hamstring resolve on their own and do not require any treatment or medication. However, when stretched beyond their limit, these muscles are torn and require medication of surgical treatment. In this, the article we will discuss the treatments for hamstring injuries, who should get the treatment when to get the treatment, the cost of the treatment and what are some preventive measures you can adopt to reduce the risk of such injuries. The bundle of the hamstring muscles and tendons are located at the upper rear end of the leg. These muscles are involved in flexing the knee joint. They adduct the leg and extend the thigh to the backside of the body. They are used in walking and running. They are antagonistic to the quadriceps. They help in jumping. These muscles are responsible for the standing up. They flex the knee and extend the hip.at the beginning of each step. These muscles are affected long hours of sitting which reduces their functioning. The serious injuries to the hamstrings must not be neglected and require immediate attention. Orthopedic doctors are primarily involved in the treatment of the hamstring strain. Other professionals involved are a primary physician, massage, and physical therapists. The treatment usually involves measures to relieve pain with the help of ice, reduce swelling by compressing the hamstring and taking adequate rest to give time to the muscles and the tendons of the area to heal completely. In severe cases, where the tendons and the muscles have completely torn, surgeries are performed to stitch the tear. After the surgery, rehabilitation is followed.

The various treatments opted for the Hamstring injury include as follows:

• If the injury is not serious, then the treatment involves massage therapy, physical therapy, and painkillers.
• More serious injuries are required to be treated by professionals who devise plans to treat the tear. These plans include pain management with the use of oral non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs and topical drugs.
• Other measures involved are known as RICE – Rest, Icing at regular intervals for weeks, Compression to control the hamstrings from swelling and elevation of the leg to limit the swelling of the hamstring.
• Rehabilitation includes a range of motion exercises and stretching of the muscles which help are performed to strengthen the muscles. The muscle is at risk of losing their function due to prolonged non-function. These exercises prevent loss of muscle mass and reduce the risk of muscle atrophy. These muscles generally take months to heal completely. Thus, it is important to take proper rest and nourishment during the initial weeks. Apart from this, a protein-rich diet is essential to speed up the recovery of the tear.

The injury usually occurs while running with a pop sound. The patient experiences a sudden acute pain which disables the patient from walking. The player often limps and is unable to carry out activities involving the leg further. The injury is also accompanied by muscle spasms, muscle tightness, and muscle tenderness.

The hamstring can be injured in various ways. These muscles usually injure while sprinting or running when undue pressure is exerted on them. The continuous contractions of these muscles make them prone to injury. Whoever has had such muscle sprains can visit the doctor for a checkup.

Anyone who has recently undergone surgeries or muscle-related issues are not immediately eligible.

The treatment of the hamstring has no side effects. However, if the doctor or the therapist involved is inexperienced, then the treatment can lead to further damage. If the treatment plan is strenuous or the patient gets involved in the physical activities, then the recovery is delayed and it can lead to further damage to the hamstring. Thus, it is advised to seek reliable health professionals for the treatment of the hamstring.

It is essential to take adequate rest for the recovery of the muscles involved. To maintain the posture of the hamstring, stints are also used.

As mentioned before, hamstring injuries can take anywhere from weeks to months to recover completely. Everyone heals at a different rate. Also, mild injuries recover quickly and the severe ones can take many months to recover completely. It is advised to be patient in such injuries and to rely on the advice of the doctor. Pushing yourself too hard can lead to permanent damage to the hamstring and permanent immobility of the leg.

The medications involved are usually cheap and does not strain your budget. However, rehabilitation sessions with a physical therapist and massage therapist take a toll on the pocket of the patients. An average massage session can cost anywhere between Rs 500 to Rs 1500 with a trained professional. In the case of a physical therapist, the cost of an appointment with a physical therapist usually starts from Rs 500 in India. The cost of rehabilitation ranges from Rs 1000 to Rs 2500 per session. In rare cases where a surgery is performed, the cost of the surgery ranges from Rs 1 lakh to Rs 3 lakh. The variation of the price is caused due to the surgeon and the type of the graft.

The treatment provides permanent results and careful engagement in physical activities ensure healthy hamstrings. However, pushing your body too soon and neglecting the advice of the doctor can worsen the situation of the hamstring.

Hamstring injuries are the most common injuries among sportspersons as they are caused by running and jumping. So if you are an athlete, you must take excess care of the hamstrings while performing strenuous exercises. To prevent hamstring injuries, one should exercise regularly and must not exert undue pressure on these muscles. Some of the measures you can adopt to keep your hamstrings healthy are mentioned below:

1. Warm up before engaging in physical activities – A 15 minute warm-up session prior to any activity which involves the continuous contraction of the hamstring muscles will help them loosen up and increase the blood flow in the muscles. Warm-up loosens the muscles of the body to perform physical activity. Tight muscles are less flexible. Therefore, engaging in strenuous physical activities without receiving a proper warm-up session will increase your chances of a hamstring injury.
2. Do not overdo – It is essential to increase the hours of physical activity slowly. The increase in the hours of activity must not exceed 10 percent of the time you were active the day prior. A long sprinting session can overwhelm your hamstring. The proper way to get your body accustomed to long hours of physical activity is to increase the hours of physical activity slowly. The progressive increase will make sure that your body is not overstretched.
3. Do not play in pain – Neglecting pain is equal to increasing the risk of injury. You should stop if you feel in the upper rear of your leg and take adequate rest. Only after the pain stops should you start to be active again.
4. Stretch and strengthen: Stretching is the best way to improve the health of your muscles. Stretching lengthens and loosens the muscles. Regular exercise is essential to strengthen the muscles. Some of the exercise which will wonder to your hamstrings are stiff legged deadlift, squats, squats with weight, leg press, calf raise and ham raise. One session of this exercise regularly is enough to keep your hamstrings healthy.