The hamstring muscles are 3 strong muscles called biceps femoris, semitendinosus and semimembranosus at the back of your thigh. These muscles play a key role in bending your knee and extending your hip—movements essential for walking, running, and sports activities.

What is a hamstring injury?

Hamstring injury is a tear or strain in one of the 3 muscles at the back of your thigh. Hamstring injuries are common in athletes, especially runners, footballers, and dancers, but they can happen to anyone during sudden movement or overstretching.

Symptoms of an MCL tear include:

  • Grade 1 Hamstring Strain: Mild overstretching of muscle fibers with minimal pain and no loss of strength.

  • Grade 2 Hamstring Tear: Partial muscle tear causing moderate pain, swelling, and weakness.

  • Grade 3 Complete Hamstring Tear: A full muscle or tendon tear leading to severe pain, bruising, and difficulty walking.

Typical symptoms of a hamstring injury include:

  • Sudden, sharp pain in the back of the thigh

  • A popping or snapping sensation at the time of injury

  • Swelling and bruising in the thigh or behind the knee

  • Muscle weakness or tightness

  • Difficulty walking, running, or bending the knee

  • Difficulty in sitting on your buttock due to pain

In severe cases, you may notice a visible dent or lump in the muscle

Diagnosing a Hamstring Injury

If you suspect a hamstring tear or strain, seek medical attention. Diagnosis involves:

  • Physical examination to assess pain, swelling, and muscle strength

  • MRI or ultrasound scan to determine the extent of the injury and check for complete tendon tears

Treatment for Hamstring Injuries

Treatment depends on the severity of the injury and whether it’s a partial or complete tear.

Non-Surgical Treatment (For Most Hamstring Strains)

  • Rest and avoid high-impact activity

  • Ice therapy (15–20 minutes every few hours for the first 48–72 hours)

  • Compression and elevation to reduce swelling

  • Pain relief using paracetamol or anti-inflammatory medications

  • Physiotherapy to restore flexibility, strength, and prevent re-injury

Surgical Treatment for Severe Hamstring Tears

Surgery may be recommended for:

  • Complete hamstring ruptures

  • Tendon avulsion (when the tendon pulls off the bone)

  • Chronic hamstring injuries not improving with conservative care

  • High grade intramuscular biceps tendon tear in high level athlete to minimise risk of re-injury

Surgical hamstring repair involves reattaching the torn muscle or tendon, followed by a structured rehabilitation program.

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery time varies depending on the injury grade:

Grade 1 strain: 2–3 weeks

Grade 2 tear: 4–8 weeks

Grade 3 rupture (with surgery): 3–6 months

Rehabilitation focuses on gradually increasing flexibility, strengthening the hamstrings and surrounding muscles, and restoring full function.

Preventing Hamstring Injuries

To reduce the risk of hamstring strains:

  • Warm up properly before exercise

  • Perform regular hamstring strengthening exercises

  • Improve flexibility through stretching

  • Avoid sudden increases in training intensity

  • Address muscle imbalances with a physiotherapist

Book an appointment

Contact the clinic today on 0115 9662 174 (Circle The Park Hospital) or 0115 937 7687 (Spire Nottingham Hospital)

Schedule a consultation to discuss your treatment options and find the best solution for your knee pain.