01What is hamstring strain?
The hamstrings are three muscles at the back of the thigh that bend the knee and extend the hip. A hamstring strain is a tear in these muscle fibres, ranging from minor to severe.
Injuries usually occur during high-speed running or when the muscle is stretched under load, such as kicking or bending to pick up a ball.
02Common symptoms
- Sudden sharp pain at the back of the thigh during sprinting or kicking
- A popping or tearing sensation
- Pain walking, bending or straightening the leg
- Bruising at the back of the thigh
- Weakness when bending the knee
03Possible causes and risk factors
- Sprinting and accelerating
- Inadequate warm-up
- Fatigue late in a game
- Previous hamstring injury
- Reduced hamstring strength, especially eccentric strength
04How a physiotherapy assessment helps
Your assessment with Dr. Pankaj B. LokhandeBPTh, MPTh (Ortho & Sports), PhD Scholar (MUHS)
We assess the severity and location, strength and flexibility, and check for signs of a more serious injury such as a tendon avulsion, which may need surgical opinion.
05Rehabilitation approaches we may use
Early loading
Gentle, pain-guided exercises from the early days.
Progressive strengthening
Including eccentric exercises such as Nordic hamstring curls when appropriate.
Running progression
From walking to jogging to sprinting in stages.
Trunk and hip control
Supporting efficient running mechanics.
Sport-specific drills
Acceleration, deceleration and kicking.
Return-to-sport testing
Strength and running criteria before full return.
Your plan is chosen after assessment. Not every approach listed here is suitable for every person.
06Who may benefit
- Footballers, cricketers, sprinters and kabaddi players
- Corporate league and weekend athletes
- Anyone with recurrent hamstring strains
07Safety precautions
- Avoid aggressive stretching in the first days after injury.
- Progress sprinting gradually; this is often when re-injury occurs.
- Complete the full programme even if pain settles early.
08When to see a doctor first
- A large, painful bruise with a gap felt in the muscle
- Inability to walk normally
- Injury at the very top of the thigh near the buttock with severe pain (possible tendon avulsion)
09Frequently asked questions
How long does a hamstring strain take to heal?
Mild strains may recover within weeks; more severe injuries take longer. We use criteria-based progression.
Why do hamstring injuries keep coming back?
Common reasons include returning too early and not regaining full strength. A thorough programme helps reduce this risk.
Should I stretch my hamstring?
Gentle stretching may be introduced later. Strengthening is usually more important.
Can hamstring injuries be prevented?
Eccentric strengthening programmes such as the Nordic hamstring exercise have been shown to reduce hamstring injuries in some sports.
FURTHER READING
This page provides general information and is not a diagnosis or a substitute for an individual assessment. Recovery varies from person to person. See our medical disclaimer.
