• Find A Provider
  • Patient Portal (eCare)
  • Careers
  • Make a Gift
  • WCHConnect App
  • (330) 263-8100
  • Find a Provider
  • Patient Portal (eCare)
  • Careers
  • Make a Gift
  • (330) 263-8462
Wooster Community Hospital - Health System
MENUMENU
  • Home
  • Immediate Care
    • Emergency Care
    • Telehealth (WCH Virtual Visits)
    • Walk-In Care (Mt. Hope NowClinic)
    • Walk-In Care (NowClinic)
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Gift Shop
    • For Patients
      • Advance Directive
      • Estimate Cost of Care
      • Discrimination Policy
      • Financial Assistance
      • HCAP Care Assurance Application
      • Home Medical Equipment
      • Language Services
      • Medical Records
      • Pricing/Package Prices
      • Patient Care & Privacy
      • Patient Registration
      • Spiritual Care
    • For Visitors
      • Call a Patient
      • Dining Options
      • Inpatient Units
      • Visiting Hours
    • Recognize An Employee (STARS Program)
    • Send a Card
  • Services
          • View All Services
          • Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal Program
          • Emergency Care
          • Endocrinology
          • Gastroenterology
          • Health & Wellness – HealthPoint
          • Obstetrics
          • Pharmacy
          • Cancer Care Cancer Care
          • Rehabilitation Rehabilitation
          • Women's Health Women's Health
          • Behavioral Health Behavioral Health
          • Cardiovascular Care Cardiovascular Care
          • Surgery Surgery
  • Services
    • Bloomington Orthopedic Specialists
        • Vascular Surgery
        • HealthPoint Chiropractic Services
        • Colonoscopy
        • Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal Program
        • Diagnostic Imaging
        • Endoscopy
        • ERcheckin
        • Home Helpers
        • Hospitalists
        • Intensive Care Unit - ICU
        • Inpatient Rehabilitation
        • Joint Center
        • Laboratory
        • Medical/Surgical Unit
        • Obstetrics – Women’s Pavilion
        • Pharmacy
        • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
        • Progressive Care Unit - PCU
        • Speech Therapy
        • Spine Surgery
        • Surgery
        • Vascular Lab & Blood Flow Screening
        • Women’s Health – Women’s Specialty Center
        • Outpatient Rehabilitation – HealthPoint
  • Community
    • Amish Liaison
    • Annual Reports
    • CPR Courses
    • Community Care Network
    • Giving to WCH
    • Medical Alert Device
    • Support Groups
    • Sustainability
    • Transportation Services
    • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Shop for a Gift
      • Volunteer Services
      • WCH Auxiliary
    • WCH Friends Program
  • HealthPoint
    • Health & Wellness
    • HealthPoint Store
    • Outpatient Rehabilitation
  • About Us
    • Awards
    • Blog
    • Careers
    • Job Shadowing
    • Student Observer
    • Contact Us
    • News
    • Our History
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Providers – WCH Affiliated
    • Read Reviews
    • WCHConnect App
  • FIND A PROVIDER
  • PATIENT PORTAL
  • PAY BILL
  • MAKE A GIFT
  • Home
  • Healthy Eating
  • Preventive Healthcare
  • New Providers
  • WCH Incentives
  • Videos
Wooster Community Hospital - Health System
WCH Friends Program
  • Home
  • Immediate Care
    • Emergency Care
    • Telehealth (WCH Virtual Visits)
    • Walk-In Care (Mt. Hope NowClinic)
    • Walk-In Care (NowClinic)
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Gift Shop
    • For Patients
      • Advance Directive
      • Estimate Cost of Care
      • Discrimination Policy
      • Financial Assistance
      • HCAP Care Assurance Application
      • Home Medical Equipment
      • Language Services
      • Medical Records
      • Pricing/Package Prices
      • Patient Care & Privacy
      • Patient Registration
      • Spiritual Care
    • For Visitors
      • Call a Patient
      • Dining Options
      • Inpatient Units
      • Visiting Hours
    • Recognize An Employee (STARS Program)
    • Send a Card
  • Services
  • Services
    • Bloomington Orthopedic Specialists
    • HealthPoint Chiropractic Services
    • Colonoscopy
    • Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal Program
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Endoscopy
    • ERcheckin
    • Home Helpers
    • Hospitalists
    • Intensive Care Unit – ICU
    • Inpatient Rehabilitation
    • Joint Center
    • Laboratory
    • Medical/Surgical Unit
    • Obstetrics – Women’s Pavilion
    • Outpatient Rehabilitation – HealthPoint
    • Pharmacy
    • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Progressive Care Unit – PCU
    • Speech Therapy
    • Spine Surgery
    • Surgery
    • Vascular Lab & Blood Flow Screening
    • Vascular Surgery
    • Women’s Health – Women’s Specialty Center
  • Community
    • Amish Liaison
    • Annual Reports
    • CPR Courses
    • Community Care Network
    • Giving to WCH
    • Medical Alert Device
    • Support Groups
    • Sustainability
    • Transportation Services
    • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Shop for a Gift
      • Volunteer Services
      • WCH Auxiliary
    • WCH Friends Program
  • HealthPoint
    • Health & Wellness
    • HealthPoint Store
    • Outpatient Rehabilitation
  • About Us
    • Awards
    • Blog
    • Careers
    • Job Shadowing
    • Student Observer
    • Contact Us
    • News
    • Our History
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Providers – WCH Affiliated
    • Read Reviews
    • WCHConnect App
  • FIND A PROVIDER
  • PATIENT PORTAL
  • PAY BILL
  • MAKE A GIFT
  • Home
  • Healthy Eating
  • Preventive Healthcare
  • New Providers
  • WCH Incentives
  • Videos
WCH Friends Program
You are here: Home / Patient Education Article

Hamstring Muscle Injuries

Back to Patient Education
  • Introduction
  • Anatomy
  • Causes
  • Symptoms
  • Diagnosis
  • Treatment
  • Surgery
  • Recovery

Introduction

Hamstring muscle injuries create sudden pain at the back of the thigh.  Hamstring injuries occur most frequently among athletes and dancers. The hamstring muscles can strain or tear.  Most hamstring tears do not require surgery.  Physical rehabilitation following hamstring strain or surgery usually enables a full recovery.
Back to top

Anatomy

The hamstring muscles are located at the back of the thighbone (femur).  The hamstrings attach at the pelvis bone (ischial tuberosity) and the top of the leg bones (tibia and fibula).  The three muscles that compose the hamstring are the semitendinosus, semimembranosus, and biceps femoris.  The hamstring muscles work together to bend the knee and raise the thigh to the back (extend the hip).
Back to top

Causes

A pulled hamstring most frequently occurs among dancers and athletes during sports that require sprinting, such as basketball, soccer, football, and track.  A pulled hamstring or a hamstring tear may occur when the hamstring muscles are stretched too far or receive a sudden load.
 
Am I at Risk
 
Risk factors for hamstring injuries include:
• Tight muscles
• Imbalanced muscle groups, for example if the muscle group at the front of the thigh (quadriceps) are stronger than the hamstring muscles
• Tired muscles
• Deconditioned muscles
• Adolescents during growth periods
• Older athletes
• Participation in football, soccer, basketball, running, sprinting, dance
Back to top

Symptoms

A hamstring strain causes a sudden pain in the back of the thigh.  You may fall or will be unable to put weight on your leg.  Over the next few hours, your leg will swell.  You may also experience:
• Bruising on the thigh and below the knee in the days following an injury
• Weak hamstring muscles for several weeks

Back to top

Diagnosis

A doctor diagnoses hamstring injuries by examining the affected limb. You should tell your doctor about the circumstances that lead to your hamstring injury.  Imaging tests, such as X-Rays or MRI scans may be used to determine the extent of injury and identify a hamstring tendon avulsion.

Most hamstring injuries occur in the thickest part of a muscle or where the muscle joins a tendon.  Tendons connect muscles to bones. 
 
A hamstring injury can be a:
• Pull or strain
• Partial tear
• Complete tear, tears from the pelvis bone are more common than tears from the leg
• Avulsion, a piece of bone pulls away when the tendon detaches from a bone
Back to top

Treatment

Doctors treat hamstring tendon injuries on an individualized basis.  The type of treatment that you receive depends on the location and degree of your injury.  Most hamstring strains are treated with non-surgical methods. 
 
You should rest and elevate your leg. Your doctor will recommend an icing schedule and compression bandage for your thigh.  You may temporarily use crutches or a knee splint.  Your doctor may refer you to a physical therapist for exercises to regain motion and strength.  Your doctor will let you know when you can return to sports safely.
Back to top

Surgery

Surgery is used for complete tears in the middle of a hamstring or hamstring muscles that have detached from the bone.  Orthopedic surgeons use sutures to connect the muscles in mid hamstring tears.  Hamstring muscles are reattached to bones with sutures, anchors or staples.
Back to top

Recovery

Surgery is followed by a period of rest, during which time you may wear a brace and use crutches.  Physical therapy rehabilitation exercises are important for regaining flexibility, range of motion, and function.  The rehabilitation period may last from three to six months depending on the type and location of injury.  Most people recover fully from hamstring injuries.

Back to top

Copyright ©  - iHealthSpot Interactive - www.iHealthSpot.com

This information is intended for educational and informational purposes only. It should not be used in place of an individual consultation or examination or replace the advice of your health care professional and should not be relied upon to determine diagnosis or course of treatment.

The iHealthSpot patient education library was written collaboratively by the iHealthSpot editorial team which includes Senior Medical Authors Dr. Mary Car-Blanchard, OTD/OTR/L and Valerie K. Clark, and the following editorial advisors: Steve Meadows, MD, Ernie F. Soto, DDS, Ronald J. Glatzer, MD, Jonathan Rosenberg, MD, Christopher M. Nolte, MD, David Applebaum, MD, Jonathan M. Tarrash, MD, and Paula Soto, RN/BSN. This content complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information. The library commenced development on September 1, 2005 with the latest update/addition on February 16, 2022. For information on iHealthSpot’s other services including medical website design, visit www.iHealthSpot.com.

Footer

Patient Education

Learn about common medical conditions and treatments in our interactive patient education center.

Read More

Tell us what you think!

Tell us what you think!

We’d love to hear from you! Send us your feedback and read about the experiences others have had at Wooster Community Hospital.

Leave a Review Read Reviews
  • Patients & Visitors
  • Services
  • About Us
  • Community
  • Careers
  • Telehealth
  • Locations
  • Contact Us

1761 Beall Avenue, Wooster, Ohio 44691 | Phone: (330) 263-8100

Copyright © Wooster Community Hospital. All Rights Reserved.

  • Employees/Physicians
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
  • Discrimination Policy
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com

Wooster Community Hospital (WCH) Health System offers a comprehensive range of inpatient and outpatient services serving the residents of Wayne County, Ohio. Our health care services include urgent care, cardiac rehabilitation, diagnostic imaging, wound healing, behavioral health services, weight loss management, emergency care, cardiovascular services, outpatient rehabilitation services, inpatient withdrawal treatments, comprehensive cancer care, women's health care, diabetic services, robotic-assisted surgery, anesthesiology, chiropractic services, colonoscopy, endocrinology, endoscopy, internal medicine, pulmonary health services, pharmacy services, orthopedics, speech therapy, sleep medicine, and oncology and infusion services.

You have a lot to gain from being proactive about your health. Wooster Community Hospital’s VIP patient loyalty program now offers even more rewards and incentives!

  • Home
  • Health & Wellness
  • Preventive Healthcare
  • New Providers
  • WCH Incentives
  • Accessibility Statement
  • Privacy Policy
  • Sitemap
iHealthspot Medical Website Design and Medical Marketing by iHealthSpot.com
Copyright © WCH Friends Program. All Rights Reserved.
  • Home
  • Immediate Care
    • Emergency Care
    • Telehealth (WCH Virtual Visits)
    • Walk-In Care (Mt. Hope NowClinic)
    • Walk-In Care (NowClinic)
    • Back
  • Patients & Visitors
    • Gift Shop
    • For Patients
      • Advance Directive
      • Estimate Cost of Care
      • Discrimination Policy
      • Financial Assistance
      • HCAP Care Assurance Application
      • Home Medical Equipment
      • Language Services
      • Medical Records
      • Pricing/Package Prices
      • Patient Care & Privacy
      • Patient Registration
      • Spiritual Care
      • Back
    • For Visitors
      • Call a Patient
      • Dining Options
      • Inpatient Units
      • Visiting Hours
      • Back
    • Recognize An Employee (STARS Program)
    • Send a Card
    • Back
  • Services
  • Services
    • Bloomington Orthopedic Specialists
    • HealthPoint Chiropractic Services
    • Colonoscopy
    • Drug/Alcohol Withdrawal Program
    • Diagnostic Imaging
    • Endoscopy
    • ERcheckin
    • Home Helpers
    • Hospitalists
    • Intensive Care Unit – ICU
    • Inpatient Rehabilitation
    • Joint Center
    • Laboratory
    • Medical/Surgical Unit
    • Obstetrics – Women’s Pavilion
    • Outpatient Rehabilitation – HealthPoint
    • Pharmacy
    • Plastic and Reconstructive Surgery
    • Progressive Care Unit – PCU
    • Speech Therapy
    • Spine Surgery
    • Surgery
    • Vascular Lab & Blood Flow Screening
    • Vascular Surgery
    • Women’s Health – Women’s Specialty Center
    • Back
  • Community
    • Amish Liaison
    • Annual Reports
    • CPR Courses
    • Community Care Network
    • Giving to WCH
    • Medical Alert Device
    • Support Groups
    • Sustainability
    • Transportation Services
    • Volunteer Opportunities
      • Shop for a Gift
      • Volunteer Services
      • WCH Auxiliary
      • Back
    • WCH Friends Program
    • Back
  • HealthPoint
    • Health & Wellness
    • HealthPoint Store
    • Outpatient Rehabilitation
    • Back
  • About Us
    • Awards
    • Blog
    • Careers
    • Job Shadowing
    • Student Observer
    • Contact Us
    • News
    • Our History
    • Our Mission & Vision
    • Providers – WCH Affiliated
    • Read Reviews
    • WCHConnect App
    • Back
  • FIND A PROVIDER
  • PATIENT PORTAL
  • PAY BILL
  • MAKE A GIFT
  • Home
  • Healthy Eating
  • Preventive Healthcare
  • New Providers
  • WCH Incentives
  • Videos