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Hamstring injury

Last reviewed dd mmm yyyy. Last edited dd mmm yyyy

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Hamstring injuries

Hamstrings are a group of muscles of the posterior thigh which cross both the hip and knee joints and are involved in thigh extension and knee flexion

  • hamstring muscle group comprises three separate muscles: semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris

  • hamstring injury is defined by the anatomical site within the muscle that is affected, and injury must be present in one or more of the component muscles

  • hamstring injuries are commonly classified as grades one, two and three, where severity increases with the grade of injury

  • diagnosis is based on patient history, including the cause of injury and clinical findings of local pain and loss of function, demonstrated by palpation, range of motion and muscle testing

  • magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can provide further information on the extent of injury

The hamstring muscles are three separate muscles which work together to flex the knee and extend the hip. The muscles are semimembranosus, semitendinosus and biceps femoris.

Muscle

Origin

Insertion

Nerve

Semitendinosus

Ischial tuberosity

Medial surface of tibia

Tibial

Semimembranosus

Ischial tuberoisty

Medial tibial condyle

Tibial

Biceps femoris (long Head)

Ischial tuberosity

Lateral aspect head of the fibula

Tibial

Biceps Femoris (short Head)

Lateral lip of the linea aspera near the head of the femur

Lateral aspect of head of the fibula

Common Fibular

It is important to note that the frequency and severity of injury may differ in adolescents from that in skeletally mature people. Injuries occur in patterns unique to the skeletally immature adolescent, reflecting their developing bones and supporting ligamentous structures (1).

  • musculotendinous injuries usually occur as a result of either direct or indirect trauma
    • direct trauma such as from a blow results in muscle contusion (bruising)
    • indirect trauma can occur as a result of alteration in the intensity or synergy of contraction, resulting in a single powerful muscle contraction
      • indirect trauma can also result from an overstretch of the musculotendinous unit leading to a strain, tear or avulsion
    • hamstring muscles are most vulnerable to injury during the rapid change from eccentric to concentric function, such as where the leg decelerates to strike the ground during running (2)
      • concentric function is where a muscle actively shortens in order to produce movement. For example, concentric action of the quadriceps, the muscle at the front of the thigh, straightens the knee to produce a kicking action
      • eccentric function is where a muscle generates active tension as it lengthens, braking a movement. For example, the hamstrings, situated at the back of the thigh, would function eccentrically to brake the kicking action.)

It is generally claimed that strain injuries most often occur near the musculotendinous junction

Hamstring injuries are commonplace in many mainstream sports and occupations involving physical activity.

Click here for video about mechanism of hamstring injury

Reference:

Additional contributions: Dr Ralph Mitchell BSc (hons) MBChB (August 2011)


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