Sudden Leg Pain: Diagnosing and Treatment of Hamstring Injury

Professional athletes and anyone who frequently races, climbs, leaps, or lunges are more likely to sustain a painful hamstring injury. The treatment includes rest, ice, compression, elevation, and gradual stretching that leads to simple movements. The majority of treatments can be performed at home. Depending on the severity of the damage, healing can take a few days or as long as a few months.

A hamstring injury is defined as a tear or strain (pulled muscle) in the group of muscles and tendons in the rear of your thigh. It is one of the most prevalent and frustrating injuries observed in athletics.

Diagnosis

You can try to search on Google “sports injury doctor near me” to find the specialist nearby, but be sure to check their qualification and patient reviews to find the best professional therapist.

A healthcare professional checks for swelling and discomfort along the back of the thigh during the physical exam. The location and severity of the pain can provide helpful information about the damage.

Moving the affected leg into different positions allows providers to determine which muscle is injured and whether ligaments or tendons are damaged.

Imaging tests
In severe hamstring injuries, the muscle can rip or separate from the pelvis or shinbone. An avulsion fracture occurs when a little portion of bone is torn away from the main bone. X-rays detect avulsion fractures, while ultrasonography and MRIs detect muscle and tendon tears.

Treatment

The primary goal of treatment is to alleviate discomfort and swelling. A doctor may advise you to do the following:

• Allow the injuries to heal by resting from vigorous activity.
• To ease discomfort and swelling, apply ice packs multiple times per day.
• Wrap the damaged region in a compression bandage or wear compression shorts to reduce swelling.
• If possible, raise the leg above the level of the heart to reduce swelling.
• Take pain relievers that are available without a prescription. Ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, and others) are two examples.

Physical therapy
Your healthcare professional or a physical therapist can demonstrate gentle hamstring stretching and strengthening exercises. After the discomfort and swelling have subsided, your physician can show you how to perform exercises to increase your strength.

Surgery
Most hamstring injuries that entail partial muscle tears heal with time and physical therapy. Orthopedic surgeons can repair muscles that have separated from the pelvis or shinbone. Even severe muscle rips can be recovered.

Lifestyle and home remedies

To treat a mild hamstring injury on your own, use the R.I.C.E. method:

• Rest. Take a break to allow your hamstring muscles to rest and the damaged tissues to heal. Any action that produces pain, edema, or discomfort should be avoided. If you have more than a mild muscular strain, your doctor may advise you to use crutches to keep your weight off the affected leg.
• Ice. Ice the affected region as soon as possible following the injury. Keep an ice pack on the wounded area for 15 to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours while awake for the first few days after the injury. The cold alleviates discomfort and edema. If there is a tear, it may also help to slow the bleeding. If you have vascular disease diabetes, or don't feel much in your leg, see your doctor before icing.
• Compression. Wrap an elastic bandage over your leg until the swelling subsides. Make sure not to wrap too tightly. Begin wrapping from the farthest end away from your heart. If the discomfort worsens, the area goes numb, or swelling begins below the covered area, loosen the bandage.
• Elevation. While resting, sit or lie back with your leg lifted. Raise your leg higher than your heart if feasible.

Nonprescription pain relievers such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin IB, and others) and acetaminophen (Tylenol, and others) may also be beneficial. After a few days, gradually resume using the injured limb. Your leg's capacity to hold your weight and move without pain should improve over time.