Pulled upper hamstring: what to know

The hamstrings run along the back of the thigh and help extend the hip and bend the knee. An upper strain may occur during sprinting, kicking, sliding, or a forceful forward bend. Pain can be high under the buttock or travel down the back of the thigh, with tenderness, bruising, weakness, or discomfort when sitting. Thigh pain is a useful symptom description, but an examination helps distinguish muscle injury from tendon irritation, hip problems, or nerve-related pain.

The degree of tissue injury and your sport or work demands influence the rehabilitation plan. Repeatedly testing speed or stretching aggressively can keep the area irritated.

Pause sprinting, kicking, deep lunges, and long hamstring stretches. Use comfortable walking if you can do so without a limp; otherwise reduce weight through the leg and arrange an assessment. Cold treatment can ease early soreness, while later rehabilitation usually combines pain-limited mobility, progressive strengthening, hip control, and running drills. Exercise therapy is often used to rebuild capacity, and sports physiotherapy can match loading to your activity. A return-to-sport programme should test strength, speed, change of direction, and confidence in stages. PRP injection is not a default first step and should be discussed only after diagnosis and a review of alternatives.

Arrange prompt assessment if you heard a pop, developed extensive bruising, cannot walk normally, have substantial weakness, or feel pain high at the sitting bone. Urgent care is appropriate for severe injury, rapidly increasing swelling, numbness, or a cold or pale foot. Review is also sensible when pain persists, recurs during running, or prevents sitting and sleep.

Ask whether the hamstring muscle or its upper tendon is involved, whether imaging would change care, when strengthening can start, and which tests you must pass before returning to sport.