Marc Darrow, MD., JD

We see many people with problems of the hamstring. Usually they are people who participate in a physically demanding sport where accelerating, kicking, jumping, cuts and stops, or endurance is required. These would be the runners, the marathoners, the triathletes, the soccer players.

Most people with hamstring tendonitis report that have have had this “nagging injury” for some time. After trying to remedy their situation on their own with rest, ice / heat, wraps, braces and tapes, over the counter pain killers and anti-inflammatories and lots of stretching they seek medical care. Sometimes these people will get stronger doses of medications they are already taking or they will eventually be told to consider a cortisone injection because of continued inflammation.

Grade I Hamstring Injury

  • Discomfort and muscle soreness
  • Some swelling
  • You can still bend your knee
  • You can still walk and run but with pain.

Grade II Hamstring Injury

  • Walking and stride are effected.
  • Decreased range of motion. Pain when bending knee.
  • Discomfort and muscle soreness. Acute sharp pains.
  • Swelling is apparent.
  • Bruising is apparent.

Grade III Hamstring Injury

  • Difficulty walking. Use of cane or other walking devices may be needed.
  • Throbbing pain, severe pain with movement.
  • Obvious swelling and bruising.

Someone will email an MRI of their hamstring problem. They will talk about their microtearing in their hamstring tendons and their pain and soreness with certain movements, especially sitting. They have had a cortisone injection and anti-inflammatories. They have rested it and rested it and it is still not improving. Over the years we have seen many patients with hamstring injuries and we have helped many achieve their treatment goals. Let’s look at the research.

The hamstrings comprise a group of muscles at the back of the thigh. Among the muscle group is the semitendinosus muscle, semimembranosus muscle and the long and short head of the biceps femoris. The semitendinosus muscle, semimembranosus muscle and the long head of the biceps femoris hamstrings attach to the pelvis at the ischial tuberosity, the bony prominences sometimes referred to as “sit bones.” So named because they are the bones we do sit on. They are also often referred to as the Proximal hamstrings (the center hamstrings) because of their attachment or insertion at this “center” point.

Hamstring injury treatments

The obvious goal of hamstring injury treatments is to heal the injury and get the person back to their sport or activities as soon as possible. There are many people we see that were a little overzealous in their desire to get back to their sport and reinjured their hamstring and for some, made their situation worse. It is hard to sit an active person down and the average recovery time of one to five months depending on the injury is usually more than he/she is ready for.

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With nearly three decades of experience, Dr. Marc Darrow and his team are pioneers in regenerative treatments, offering expert insights and personalized care for chronic pain.

Schedule a free phone consultation today and receive our exclusive Regenerative Medicine Stem Cell & PRP Quick Start Guide —a digital resource packed with:

  • Insights into Stem Cell & PRP Therapy
  • Research-backed treatments for chronic tendon injuries, joint pain, arthritis, and sports injuries

Take the first step toward a pain-free, active life today.

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