Hamstring (Tendinopathy)

Self Help Guides | Hip Conditions | Hamstring (Tendinopathy)

Pathophysiology

The Hamstring group is made up of 3 muscles which attach from behind the knee to a bony prominence in the buttock and thigh bone. The Hamstrings work to control bending of the knee and taking your hip back behind you. Typically an overuse injury and commonly seen in runners, kicking or jumping sports. The Hamstrings are prone to this type of injury as they control the slowing down of a straight knee during activities such as sprinting and hill climbing.

Symptoms

Pain deep in the buttock or posterior thigh, can radiate to knee
Pain increases with repetitive activity e.g. long distance running
Pain with prolonged sitting or driving
Pain with increased speed or sprinting
Pain when bending at the hip e.g. putting on shoes or bending to pick something up from the floor

Management

Activity modification and offloading
Ice or heat
Pain relief
Physiotherapy including range of movement exercises and a graded strengthening programme

Investigations

Not generally indicated

Exercises to try

Hip Extension

Bridging

Hip Abductions