Hamstring strains are among the most common injuries in football, rugby and sprinting. They have a high re-injury rate, usually because people return before the muscle has regained full strength and speed.
About hamstring strain
The hamstrings run from the bottom of the pelvis to below the knee and help you bend the knee and drive the hip. Strains are graded from mild (a few fibres) to complete tears.
Common causes
- Sprinting and sudden acceleration
- Kicking and overstretching
- Fatigue late in a game
- Previous hamstring injury
- Weakness in eccentric hamstring strength
Signs and symptoms
- Sudden sharp pain in the back of the thigh
- Pain when walking, bending forward or straightening the leg
- Bruising appearing after a few days
- Weakness bending the knee
How physiotherapy helps
- Early protection and pain-free movement
- Progressive strengthening, including eccentric exercises such as Nordic curls
- Running drills building up to full-speed sprinting
- Sport-specific training and return-to-play tests
- Plans to reduce future risk
How long does recovery take?
Mild strains often recover in one to three weeks; moderate strains in four to eight weeks; severe tears longer, and some need a surgical opinion.
When to see a doctor
Seek prompt assessment if you felt a pop high up near the buttock with large bruising, or cannot bend the knee, as the tendon may have pulled away from the bone.
Book an assessment for hamstring strain in Ilford.
Common questions
Should I stretch a pulled hamstring?
Not aggressively in the early days. Gentle, pain-free movement is better, with stretching and strengthening built up gradually.
When can I play again?
When you can sprint at full speed and your strength matches the other leg, not just when it stops hurting.
How can I stop it happening again?
Regular eccentric hamstring strengthening, such as Nordic curls, reduces hamstring injury risk.
Last updated .