What is a hamstring injury?

The hamstrings indicate three muscles in the back of the thigh. These muscles connect the buttock lump (sciatic tuber) to the lower leg. The main functional components are bringing the leg back (retroflexion) in the hip joint (art. Coxae) and bending (flexion) in the knee joint (art. Genus). The muscles that form the hamstrings have the names: 'm. semitendinosus ',' m. semimembranosus 'and' m. biceps femoris'.

There is talk of an acute hamstring injury when some or more fibers of a hamstring muscle tear. These cracks usually arise at the transition from muscle to tendon. Here, the stiff muscle tissue changes to firm tendon tissue and is therefore vulnerable. The muscle with the most frequent injury is the 'm. biceps femoris'.

How does a hamstring injury arise?

A hamstring injury can occur when a great force is suddenly applied to the hamstring. This can happen, for example, in sports when you suddenly start for a sprint or when you suddenly slow down, but it can also happen in sports where you jump or kick. During these moments, a lot of tension is placed on the hamstring tendon, which is the greatest chance of tearing. The tear of the hamstring causes acute pain in the back of the thigh so that further exercise is no longer possible.

Symptoms and how do I recognize a hamstring injury?

There are multiple symptoms of hamstring injuries. These are listed below:

• Acute pain in the back of the thigh, generally during or after exercise.
• Bending the knee against resistance is painful.
• Stretching the muscle is painful.
• With many torn fibers, it can feel as if a bite has been taken from the muscle.
• Pressure on the torn fibers is painful.
• There is a loss of strength.
• The torn muscle can tighten and cause cramps.
• When bleeding, a dark bruise may appear on the back of the leg (This sags down as time goes by due to gravity).
• Swelling at the back of the leg, just below the buttock, is noticeable.

Treat with a thigh brace!

Recovery takes an average of six to eight weeks with partial rupture. With a complete rupture, when the muscle is completely torn off, surgery is required. The recovery can then take up to three months. It is strongly recommended that the operation be performed within a week because it heals less well afterwards.
ProBrace can advise you to keep the muscle warm and compressed during daily activities or sports, after a hamstring injury:

1. For a stable and firm thigh brace, which is used in a severe muscle injury, or at a period after the rise of a fracture, can be selected for the Bauerfeind Myotrain Upper leg Brace.
2. The Neoprene thigh brace Novamed thigh bandage can be used as soon as you are asked for more freedom of movement. Thanks to the band, the brace cannot simply drop and specific compression can be supplied.
3. The thuasne thigh support can be worn when sport activities are resumed after a minor muscle injury. The brace provides compression and is flexible and comfortable to use.

Ask a ProBrace specialist for appropriate advice.