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Symptoms
By Mayo Clinic staffSigns and symptoms of a hamstring injury include:
- A sudden, sharp pain in the back of your thigh during an activity
- A popping or tearing sensation in the muscle
- Swelling and tenderness within a few hours of the injury
- Bruising or discoloration along the back of your leg
- Muscle weakness or inability to put weight on your injured leg
When to see a doctor
Mild hamstring strains can be treated at home. But for more severe hamstring injuries, you should see a doctor if you:
- Can't bear any weight on your injured leg
- Can't walk more than four steps without significant pain
- Have numbness in any part of the injured area
- See redness or red streaks spreading out from the injury
- Have injured the same muscles in the past
- Aren't sure about how severe your injury is
References
- Hamstring muscle injuries. American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00408. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Vetter CS, et al. Hamstring strain. In: Frontera WR, et al. Essentials of Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation. 2nd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2008. http://www.mdconsult.com/das/book/body/202267569-2/0/1678/62.html?tocnode=55148419&fromURL=62.html#4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-4007-1..50061-4_982. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Shah A, et al. Hip, pelvis, and thigh. In: DeLee JC, et al. DeLee & Drez's Orthopaedic Sports Medicine Principles and Practice. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, Pa.: Saunders Elsevier; 2009. http://www.mdconsult.com/book/player/linkTo?type=bookPage&isbn=978-1-4160-3143-7&eid=4-u1.0-B978-1-4160-3143-7..00021-X. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Heiderscheit BC, et al. Hamstring strain injuries: Recommendations for diagnosis, rehabilitation and injury prevention. The Journal of Orthopaedic and Sports Physical Therapy. 2010;40:67.
- Sprains and strains. National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases. http://www.niams.nih.gov/Health_Info/Sprains_Strains/default.asp. Accessed May 19, 2010.
- Brooks GP, et al. Musculoskeletal injury in the young athlete: Overview of treatment principles for nonoperative injuries. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Brooks GP, et al. Musculoskeletal injury in the young athlete: Overview of rehabilitation for nonoperative injuries. http://www.uptodate.com/home/index.html. Accessed May 18, 2010.
- Hoskins W, et al. The management of hamstring injury - Part 1: Issues in diagnosis. Manual Therapy. 2005;10:96.
- Hoskins W, et al. Hamstring injury management - Part 2: Treatment. Manual Therapy. 2005;10:180.
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