Hamstring tear..

hi im looking for some help.

2 months ago i felt a twinge in my upper left hamstring had an ultrasound and doctor told me i was fine, 1 week later returned to playing soccer. 2 weeks ago i was playing a match andfelt a sort of grip in it and imediatly came off and put ice on it.

i saw the physio and told me that i had a grade 1 tear in my upper tendon. He has been treating me with acupuncture and ultrasound and has told me to keep icing it and putting anti-inflamation gel and recently sent me to go to the pools, just general walking in it and little swimming.

How soon until i can come back to running and is it time to apply heat?

Hamstring injuries are not easy to treat. Currently research shows that there will always be a risk of recurrence. It is improtant when returning to sport that you tick off the boxes (return to sport criteria) not just after 21 days say you are right to return.

Start to strengthen (from isolation through to functional eccentric exercises) and get a physio who can structure a running program individualised for your return to sport.

Enjoy

KS

Recurrance of hamstring strain is quite often a problem for soccer players. It is always important to strengthen your hamstrings, giving importance to flexibility of the muscle group. Eccentric exercises are prefered under physio supervision.

Before return to sports an isokinetic strength testing would be prefered.
Isokinetic strength testing is used as an indicator of recovery following muscle injuries. This test is done using isokinetic dynamometer. This equipment should be available at your sports medicine clinic. This machine allows the hamstrings to be tested through the full range of knee movement. All concentric, eccentric, and isometric (static) strengths are tested. The muscle endurance of the hamstrings may be assessed, which together with the eccentric strength and the quadriceps/hamstring ratio, is particularly relevant for runners (important for football). Isokinetic testing gives specific muscle strenght and weakness can be identified. An apt individual strengthening programme can be planned to treat your specific problems, and will assist in effective rehabilitation.