What should you know about pulling your hamstring?

The hamstrings help bend the knee and move the hip. A strain may occur during sprinting, kicking, jumping or a fast change of direction. People often notice pain at the back of the thigh, tightness, tenderness, weakness or bruising. Walking with a shortened stride can be uncomfortable. The severity ranges from irritation with preserved strength to a more significant tear with difficulty using the leg. Examination helps separate a hamstring problem from pain referred from the back or hip.

Stop sprinting and other painful efforts at first. Use comfortable walking, cold wrapped in cloth for swelling, and gentle movement within an easy range. Avoid forceful stretching while the injury is irritable. Rehabilitation usually progresses from controlled movement to hamstring and hip strengthening, then running drills and sport-specific changes of direction. Exercise Therapy and Sports Physiotherapy can help match the load to your symptoms. PRP Injection is not a default step; discuss its possible role only after a proper assessment.

Arrange prompt assessment after a pop, sudden loss of strength, extensive bruising, a palpable gap or difficulty walking. Seek urgent help for a swollen, red and hot leg with breathlessness or chest pain. Recurrent pain when you resume running, or pain that does not steadily improve, calls for a review of the diagnosis and rehabilitation load.

Ask whether the injury is near the muscle or its tendon, which exercises are appropriate now, how strength will be checked, and what criteria you should meet before a Return-to-Sport Programme.