Carenotes > Hamstring Injury (Discharge Care)

Hamstring Injury

WHAT YOU SHOULD KNOW:

• A hamstring injury is any injury to one of the three different hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh. This type of injury may be seen as a contusion (bruise), a strain, or a tear. These muscles cross both your hip and knee, and help extend (straighten) the hip or bend the knee. Most hamstring injuries occur while playing sports, such as soccer or football. These may be caused by a hard blow, overstretching, or too much tightening of the hamstring muscles. You may have pain, swelling, bruising, and difficulty moving your leg.
  
  
• A computerized tomography (CT) scan, ultrasound, magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), or x-ray may be done to diagnose hamstring injuries. Treatment will depend on how severe the hamstring injury is. Rest, ice, compression, elevation (RICE) of the injured leg and exercises are needed to heal the injury. Surgery may be needed for a bad hamstring tear with associated injuries. With treatment, such as rest and medicine, you have a greater chance of having a full recovery.

AFTER YOU LEAVE:

Medicines:

• Keep a list of your medicines: Keep a written list of the medicines you take, the amounts, and when and why you take them. Bring the list of your medicines or the pill bottles when you see your caregivers. Do not take any medicines, over-the-counter drugs, vitamins, herbs, or food supplements without first talking to caregivers.
  
  
• Take your medicine as directed: Always take your medicine as directed by caregivers. Call your caregiver if you think your medicines are not helping or if you feel you are having side effects. Do not quit taking your medicines until you discuss it with your caregiver.
  
  
• Medicines for pain, swelling, or fever: You may be given medicines to treat pain, swelling, or fever while you are in the hospital. These medicines are safe for most people to use. However, they can cause serious problems when used by people with certain medical conditions. Tell caregivers if you have liver or kidney disease, a history of bleeding in your stomach, or any other medical problems. Also tell your caregiver about any allergies you have to medicines. Tell your caregiver about all other medicines, herbs, and supplements that you have taken lately.

Ask your caregiver when to return for a follow-up visit. Keep all appointments. Write down any questions you may have. This way you will remember to ask these questions during your next visit.

Activity:

• Rest: You may feel like resting more. Slowly start to do more each day. Rest when you feel it is needed.
  
  
• Ice: A caregiver may use ice on your hamstring injury to decrease swelling, pain, and redness. Put crushed ice in a plastic bag and wrap it with a towel. Place the ice bag on the area for 15 to 20 minutes every hour as long as you need it. If ice is put on the injured area for too long or if it is slept on, it may cause frostbite.
  
  
• Compression bandage: You may need to wear an elastic bandage to help control the swelling. You can loosen or tighten the elastic bandage to make it comfortable. It should be tight enough for you to feel support. It should not be so tight that it causes your toes to be numb or tingly. If you are wearing an elastic bandage, take it off and rewrap it once a day.
  
  
• Elevate: Lie down and elevate (raise) your leg to a level above your heart to help decrease the swelling.

Physical therapy: Your caregiver may want you to go to physical therapy. A physical therapist will help you with special exercises. These exercises help make your bones and muscles stronger.

Walking and home safety: You may need to use crutches until you can put weight on your injured leg without pain. Using crutches may decrease stress and strain on your hamstring muscles. It is important to use crutches correctly. Ask your caregivers for more information about how to use crutches.

To keep from falling, remove loose carpeting from the floor. Using chairs with side arms and hard cushions will make it easier for you to get up or out of a chair. You may want to put a chair or a commode inside the shower

Preventing another hamstring injury:

• Always ask your caregiver before you start exercising. Do not start with your usual activity until your caregiver says it is OK. If you start activity too soon, you may have a more serious hamstring injury.
  
  
• Slowly start your exercise or sports training program as directed by your caregiver. Gradually (slowly) increase time, distance, and how often you train. Sudden increases in how often you train may cause you to injure your hamstring.
  
  
• Warm up and stretch before and after exercising. Warm up by walking or using an exercise bike before starting your regular exercise. Do gentle stretches after warming up. This helps loosen your muscles and decrease stress on your hamstring muscles. Cool down and stretch after exercising.
  
  
• Keep your leg muscles strong by doing special exercises. Having strong hamstring muscles can help prevent another injury. It is also important to do exercises to improve the muscles' flexibility and endurance.
  
  
• Rest your muscle. Muscle fatigue (tiredness) may cause your hamstring muscles to be weak. Rest when you feel tired.

For support and more information: Having a hamstring injury may be hard. You may contact the following for more information:

• American Academy of Family Physicians
  PO Box 11210
  Shawnee Mission, KS 66207-1210
  Phone: 1-913-906-6000
  Web Address: http://www.aafp.org
  

• American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons
  6300 North River Road
  Rosemont, IL 600184262
  Phone: 1-847-8237186
  Web Address: http://www.aaos.org/
  

• American Physical Therapy Association
  1111 North Fairfax Street
  Alexandria, VA 22314
  Phone: 1-800-999-2782
  Web Address: http://www.apta.org
  

CONTACT A CAREGIVER IF:

• You have a fever (increased body temperature).
  
  
• You have questions or concerns about your injury, medicine, or care.

SEEK CARE IMMEDIATELY IF:

• The skin on your lower leg or foot is turning white or blue, and feels cool when you touch it.
  
  
• Your pain and swelling has increased or returned.
  
  
• Your symptoms are not getting better.

Copyright © 2008 Thomson Healthcare Inc. All rights reserved. Information is for End User's use only and may not be sold, redistributed or otherwise used for commercial purposes.

The above information is an educational aid only. It is not intended as medical advice for individual conditions or treatments. Talk to your doctor, nurse or pharmacist before following any medical regimen to see if it is safe and effective for you.

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