FirstMed Consulting Blog

Treatment of a hamstring strain is again dependent on the severity of the injury. The RICE method is the essential treatment for treating hamstring injuries in the early stages. Rest, Ice, Compress and Elevate. Due to the bleeding and swelling, patients should stop the activity that caused the strain, rest immediately to allow healing to take place and prevent further damages done to the muscles. Ice should be used at once to control the swelling and relieve the pain caused. Heat should not be applied to the affected area since this may increase swelling and bleeding within the muscle. To assist with the swelling control, an elastic wrap or compressive stocking can be applied. Finally, lying down periodically with you leg elevated allows gravity to assist with your effort to control the swelling.

The RICE treatment described above can be performed by individuals or a trained professional; it can be used for first degree, second degree and third degree severity. However, both second and third degree require longer recovery time and there are possibilities that specialised techniques or treatments will be prescribed by doctors to enhance healing and recovery.

In the first phase of the recovery stage, some gentle stretching and light resistive exercises will help to prevent stiffness, improve range of motion, and restore the joint’s normal flexibility and strength. These exercises should be done several times a day, it is very important to stick to the exercises because they help reduce swelling, prevent stiffness, and restore normal and pain-free range of motion. The second phase consists of more demanding exercises to increase strength and regain flexibility as pain decreases and function improves. At the final stage of recovery, patients are allowed to return to full daily activities including sports. However, it is utmost important to return to full activity only when the problem is fully recovered, that is when the patients have gained normal range of motion, flexibility and strength. Attending to full activity with pain or muscle soreness will increase the chance of re-injury and may lead to a chronic problem.