From the Guidelines
Treatment for a partial hamstring muscle strain should follow the RICE protocol, focusing on rest, ice, compression, and elevation, along with pain management using over-the-counter medications like ibuprofen or acetaminophen, and gradual rehabilitation with physical therapy to prevent re-injury and promote full recovery. The RICE protocol is crucial in the first 24-48 hours after injury, where rest helps avoid further damage, ice applied for 15-20 minutes every 2-3 hours reduces swelling, compression with an elastic bandage, and elevation of the leg when possible aids in reducing swelling [ 1 ]. For pain management, medications such as ibuprofen (400-600mg every 6-8 hours) or acetaminophen (500-1000mg every 6 hours) can be used to reduce pain and inflammation [ 1 ]. After the acute phase, introducing gentle stretching and progressive strengthening exercises under the guidance of a physical therapist is essential. These exercises may include hamstring curls, bridges, and eventually eccentric strengthening exercises to improve strength and flexibility [ 1 ]. It's critical to avoid returning to sports or intense activity until full, pain-free range of motion and at least 90% of normal strength are achieved to prevent re-injury, considering that hamstring injuries have a high recurrence rate if not properly healed [ 1 ]. The importance of gradual rehabilitation cannot be overstated, as scar tissue from improperly healed injuries is less elastic than normal muscle tissue and can predispose individuals to future tears. Key aspects of the treatment include:
- Rest to avoid further injury
- Ice to reduce swelling and pain
- Compression to reduce swelling
- Elevation to reduce swelling
- Pain management with over-the-counter medications
- Gradual rehabilitation with physical therapy to prevent re-injury and promote full recovery. Given the high recurrence rate of hamstring injuries, a careful and gradual approach to recovery, guided by the most recent evidence [ 1 ], is paramount to ensure the best outcomes in terms of morbidity, mortality, and quality of life.
From the Research
Treatment for Partial Hamstring Muscle Strain
The treatment for a partial hamstring muscle strain, also known as a partial tear of the hamstring muscles, typically involves a combination of conservative management and rehabilitation.
- The initial treatment involves first aid with rest, compression, cold, and elevation 2.
- A short period of immobilization is necessary to accelerate the formation of granulation tissue matrix following injury, but the length of immobilization depends on the grade of injury 2.
- Mobilization is required to regain the original strength of the muscle and achieve good final results in resorption of the connective tissue scar and re-capillarization of the damaged area 2.
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections have been studied as a potential treatment option to accelerate healing of hamstring injuries, with some studies showing benefits in reducing recovery time and pain severity 3, 4, while others have found conflicting evidence 5.
- Rehabilitation programs that include exercises such as core stabilization, indirect hamstring strengthening, and eccentric muscle control during functional movements may be beneficial in the treatment of hamstring injuries 6.
- The treatment should be tailored to the grade of injury, and the goal is to avoid muscle atrophy and loss of strength and extensibility, which can result from prolonged immobilization 2.