Is Your Hamstring Strain Really a Muscle Tear?

A pulled hamstring is one of the more common injuries you’ll hear about for athletes. The injury can range from slight to severe, and your recovery will depend on just how severe the problem is.

One question Adam Redlich, MD, and our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine hear often when treating hamstring injuries is whether or not your hamstring strain is really a muscle tear.

Our short answer to that question is maybe. Here’s the longer answer.

Strain vs. tear

First things first. When people use the term “hamstring,” they’re really referring to a group of three muscles that start at the bottom of your pelvis and run all the way down the back of your thigh. These three muscles — the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus — work together to bend your knee and extend your hip as you walk, run, and jump.

When it comes to medical terms, a strain refers to any stretching or tearing of muscle fibers. That means every tear is a strain, but not every strain is a tear. Strains are classified in three categories:

Grade 1

A mild strain with microscopic muscle fiber damage. You’ll feel sore and tight, but your mobility and strength will remain mostly intact.

Grade 2

A moderate strain with a partial tearing of muscle fibers. This will involve more swelling, bruising, and a more limited range of motion.

Grade 3

A severe strain where the muscle is completely torn. This serious injury may involve surgery and rehab to get back to normal.

Signs of a tear

Some of the following symptoms are signs of a more significant injury than just a strain:

• A sudden popping sensation during movement
• Immediate sharp pain in the back of your thigh
• Significant swelling, bruising, or tenderness
• Inability to walk, bear weight, or extend your leg normally

Dr. Redlich will diagnose the severity of your injury through a physical exam, medical history, and diagnostic tests, including imaging in the form of an X-ray, ultrasound, or (magnetic resonance imaging (MRI).

Treatment

Depending on the severity of your muscle strain, treatment can include rest, activity modification, ice and heat, medications such as nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs), and supplements. We may also recommend a physical therapy program, injections, massage therapy, and acupuncture.

If you’re suffering from a hamstring injury and need treatment, our team at A+ Athlete Sports Medicine is ready to serve you. To schedule an appointment, call our offices in Robbinsville or Neptune, New Jersey, or use online scheduling to book your own time.