Hamstring injuries are common sports-related problems. A hamstring strain occurs when the muscle fibers of the hamstring muscle in the back of the thigh are stretched too far. This can cause tearing of the muscle fibers. Once the injury has been diagnosed, treatment should begin.

Treatment of a torn hamstring is usually determined by the severity of the injury. Resting a pulled hamstring is the key to successful treatment. On the other hand, treatment of a complete hamstring muscle tear is usually more invasive.

As a general guide, if you have a hamstring strain, you can do activities that do not aggravate your recent injury. Rest until you are pain-free giving time for the injured hamstring muscle to heal. Resting insufficiently may prolong your recovery.

The following are common treatments used for hamstring injuries:

Rest

Allowing time for the muscle to rest is the first step in the treatment of most hamstring injuries. Rest allows the swelling to subside and inflammation to settle down. In order to sufficiently rest the muscle, sometimes crutches are needed to relieve the stress of the muscle.

Stretching

Stretching can begin soon after the injury, but must not be done aggressively or the stretching may exacerbate the injury. Stretching should be gentle and not painful.

Often a session or two with physical therapy can help an athlete develop a proper stretching program. As healing progresses, the intensity of stretching can also progress, but should never be painful.

Physical Therapy

Physical therapy can help guide an athlete with appropriate treatment. Many people find relief with modalities such as ultrasound, electrical stimulation, and therapeutic massage. Most athletes should begin therapeutic exercise as soon as possible. These types of exercises may include low-impact activities including cycling and pool workouts.

Ice the Injury

Apply ice to the injured hamstring in the acute phase, and then after activities. Ice will help limit the swelling and inflammatory reaction and may help to stimulate blood flow to the injured area. Ice can also be an effective pain-relieving treatment for these types of muscle strains.

Heat Applications

Before activities, heating the injured muscle can help loosen the tissue. Applying a heat pack to the hamstring prior to stretching or exercising may help to warm up the injured muscle. As a general rule, remember to heat before, and ice after.

Anti-Inflammatory Medications

Anti-inflammatory medications (such as Aleve, Motrin, or ibuprofen) can help relieve pain. These also calm the inflammatory response from the injury.

Many patients also find it beneficial to contrast treatment where the muscle is alternately warmed, then iced, again in an effort to stimulate blood flow to the injured muscle.

Surgery

Surgical treatment is rarely necessary for the treatment of a hamstring injury. When the injury occurs within the central part of the muscle, it is almost always best to treat these injuries non-surgically. In some situations when the muscle attachment to the bone is pulled off, surgery may be necessary to reattach the muscle to its proper location.

Patients who have more severe symptoms of pain should be evaluated to determine if they might benefit from more invasive treatments. Often an X-ray is obtained to evaluate if a bone has been pulled off of the attachment of the hamstring, but this does not necessarily mean that surgery is a mandatory treatment. 

Frequently Asked Questions

  • Can you walk on a torn hamstring?
  • Not without a great deal of pain. Most people will not be able to put any weight on a leg with a torn hamstring. If you can walk on the injured leg, it is likely a hamstring pull and not a tear, or you have an extremely high pain tolerance.
  • How long does a torn hamstring take to heal?
  • It depends on the extent of the tear. A mild or moderate strain or tear—also known as a grade 1 or 2 tear—typically heals in three to eight weeks with physical therapy. A more severe hamstring tear can take three months to recover fully.
  • Is heat or ice better for a hamstring pull or tear?
  • In the initial stages of the injury, ice helps minimize the inflammatory response and reduce swelling. Once the acute injury phase is over, heat is recommended to loosen the muscle and ease pain and stiffness. In physical therapy, heat is used at the start of the session before exercise and stretching. A cold pack is applied at the end of the session to reduce inflammation and ease post-therapy soreness.

Not without a great deal of pain. Most people will not be able to put any weight on a leg with a torn hamstring. If you can walk on the injured leg, it is likely a hamstring pull and not a tear, or you have an extremely high pain tolerance.

It depends on the extent of the tear. A mild or moderate strain or tear—also known as a grade 1 or 2 tear—typically heals in three to eight weeks with physical therapy. A more severe hamstring tear can take three months to recover fully.

In the initial stages of the injury, ice helps minimize the inflammatory response and reduce swelling. Once the acute injury phase is over, heat is recommended to loosen the muscle and ease pain and stiffness.