Hamstring problem

radioactiveman

Hi does anybody know how long a hamstring should be left to rest after an injury?

The reason I ask is that at the moment I have rested mine for a month (on my physiotherapists advice). It has improved alot in that time but I still have a small ache either in the top of my hamstring or in the piriformis (I think) - it is still there every day. I don't have the aching lower down in my upper thigh that I did though. It used to be quite bad when driving.

Would going back to running etc. put me back to square one at this stage? Does the rest, ice compression formula still apply at this stage? (physio is on holidays for the next 2 weeks!)

Thanks!

Rogueish

Go back to your physiotherapist and get rechecked and cleared for
- Neural involvement coming from your lower back (e.g. a herniated disc or facet joint impingement)
- A tight piriformis (tight piriformis can place pressure on your sciatic nerve giving referred pain into your hamstring)
- A neural Hamstring (where tightness along the sciatic pathway can give referred pain or a dull ache down the back of the buttock and thigh)


If all that is clear make sure that you are on a functional hamstring strengthening programme that includes both strengthening exercises such as bridging, deadlifts, gluteal a activation and strengthening and graded hamstring stretches to restore length and function.


The fact that it got quite bad while driving indicates neural involvement so get it checked out. When the right treatment is applied a significant improvement can be seen in as little as a week.

Let us know how you get on

radioactiveman

Hi rogueish - thanks for the advice. So far I have just been taking it easy and avoiding anything strenuous at all.
In the last while I've been working late which for me means I end up sitting down for maybe 12 hours a day (for the last week) - so this could affect it. I got a bad twinge in my back the other week just from standing up for a while so my back could well be involved.
Will have to get it checked!

Rogueish

Well best of luck and just out of professional curiosity could you just PM me and let me know how you get on.

radioactiveman

Hi - will keep you updated, I'm eager to get this sorted because it's taking a long time for it to heal (since january)

Aedh Baclamh

Hi radioactiveman,

Haven't had a hamstring injury, but had another strain which has kept me out since August. I know you're eager to get back, but make sure you're 100% ready when you do decide to go back training. Why I was out so long was that I refused to rest it sufficiently - got fed up watching training instead of doing the actual training.

Best of luck anyways.

davyjose

radioactiveman wrote:

Hi does anybody know how long a hamstring should be left to rest after an injury?

The reason I ask is that at the moment I have rested mine for a month (on my physiotherapists advice). It has improved alot in that time but I still have a small ache either in the top of my hamstring or in the piriformis (I think) - it is still there every day. I don't have the aching lower down in my upper thigh that I did though. It used to be quite bad when driving.

Would going back to running etc. put me back to square one at this stage? Does the rest, ice compression formula still apply at this stage? (physio is on holidays for the next 2 weeks!)

Thanks!

Ask Brian O'Driscoll