Hamstring just won't heal

infinitemonkey

Hello,
I tore my hamstring (Semitendinosus, see image attached) about 10yrs ago while playing soccer with my local club. I received physio at the time however I never really made a full recovery and stopped playing sport completely for a number of years. In the past couple of years I've started competing in triathlons and various running events and I haven't had any problems with it until I began ramping up training for the Dublin marathon towards the end of last year.

It was going to be my first and also the first time I'd run big miles, 13 plus. So, I was working up the miles and things were going fine until I starting clocking up a few 13 milers. That familiar pain started to come back into the hamstring and things went downhill from there. I rested it for some weeks and gave it another try but to no avail. I starting seeing a physio last Nov and have been up until last week (about 3 months). She has tried various techniques to try fix the problem but once again to no avail. I've even had customised insoles made for my shoes. I’ve done everything she has suggested; stretches, rest, pulling my toes, ping pong ball massage on my foot, dry needling etc.

I really am at the end of my tether with this and I’d do just about anything to get it sorted. Can anyone recommend a sports injury doctor (someone seriously good) that can help me out? Or maybe someone has had a similar problem that can give me some advice on next steps. My physio is in the process of referring me to some other specialist but if I’m going to spend a lot of money getting it sorted I want to spend to spend it on someone that will see it through to the end and give me results.

Aaahhh.. the frustration.

Thanks

token56

Hey there, I understand your pain. Normally the advice would be to go see a physio but you are already doing that and it seems they are not having much luck with it. Without trying to give medical advice, the only way to know for sure exactly what is going with it is to probably get an MRI scan on the area, to make sure there is still no tear or scar tissue or whatever. If you have private health insurance you will find a few places that will this procedure will be covered, however you will need a medical doctor to refer you to get this done. Its not guaranteed that something will be found but its certainly your best bet if there is something to be found.

Best of luck with injury OP.

catweazle

This thread will be locked soon, but have you thought of seeing a chiropracter. I had problems when I was younger, went to a chiropracter about a sore back and one of the first things she asked me was had I hamstring trouble. I havent had hamstring or back problems since (except for today) although I still go to her every few months for a tune up, as I seem to be a unreformed sloucher

Kissy Lips

catweazle wrote: »

This thread will be locked soon, but have you thought of seeing a chiropracter. I had problems when I was younger, went to a chiropracter about a sore back and one of the first things she asked me was had I hamstring trouble. I havent had hamstring or back problems since (except for today) although I still go to her every few months for a tune up, as I seem to be a unreformed sloucher

Are we not allowed say c**********r?

plodder

Kissy Lips wrote: »

Are we not allowed say c**********r?

Don't say it to your physio, for sure ...

hot to trot

If you are sure it is your hamstring and not either pelvis out of line or sciatica from your back , then check out Dr Pat Leahy in the Laser Centre on hume St. I send my chronic incurables there and he works miracles on the spot. Im taking my Achilles there soon. One blast and I will be cured.Worth every penny.

Rineanna

catweazle wrote: »

This thread will be locked soon,

As long as it sticks to recommendations for physios and not actual medical advice, then it's fine.

geld

Try Dr Pat O'Neill in Charlemount clinic (former Dubs managrer). He discovered that my "hamstring" was a lower back injury caused by a slightly loose disc. Also I would recommend Dr John Walsh, a ciropractor who I have found good. He is based in Donnybrook and also operates out of Walkinstown.

Whatever you do hope it works out.

kennyb3

geld wrote: »

Try Dr Pat O'Neill in Charlemount clinic (former Dubs managrer). He discovered that my "hamstring" was a lower back injury caused by a slightly loose disc. Also I would recommend Dr John Walsh, a ciropractor who I have found good. He is based in Donnybrook and also operates out of Walkinstown.

Whatever you do hope it works out.

+1 most likely lower back or biomechanics issue. doesnt matter how much you treat the hamstring, clear the scar tissue and strenghten it will always re-occur.

Hard Worker

Anthony Geoghegan in Carlow is your only man. Send me a PM if you need his number. Very reasonable rates and won't bring you back if it's not needed ( not implying that some physios do ). He's involved in athletics, hurling and many forms of no rules fighting.

thirtyfoot

Hard Worker wrote: »

Anthony Geoghegan in Carlow is your only man. Send me a PM if you need his number. Very reasonable rates and won't bring you back if it's not needed ( not implying that some physios do ). He's involved in athletics, hurling and many forms of no rules fighting.

I know two boys who had a niggle and got looked at by a couple of guys in Dublin and got worse and then went to Geoghehan and he sorted them in 1 visit.

I'd also personally recommend Sport Med on Kildare St.

infinitemonkey

i just had a very long thanks you reply written and boards logged me out and I lost the f'*ckin thing. Believe it or not I initially went to Geoghehan with the injury about 10 years ago! I've heard mixed reports about him since so not so sure. I do suffer from upper back pain so the chiropractor route maybe worth a look. Although I think the docs might be the best approach to start. I'll report back. Thanks again for all the advice..