Hamstring Strain & Tear Treatment in Amman

What is a hamstring injury?

The hamstrings are a group of three muscles that run from the bone you sit on, under the buttock, to just below the knee. They bend the knee and extend the hip, and they take a lot of load when you sprint. Injury usually happens during flat-out sprinting, kicking or a forceful stretch of the leg, when the muscle fibres are stretched beyond what they can take or partly torn; less often, the tendon pulls away from the bone. It is one of the injuries that cost players the most time out of play in football and sprinting sports, and it can come back if the return to play is too early.

Common signs

A sudden sharp pain at the back of the thigh while running or moving, sometimes with a snap or pop in more severe injuries
Pain when pressing on the back of the thigh, followed by swelling and bruising that may appear within hours
Difficulty standing or walking on the injured leg
Pain or tightness at the back of the thigh when bending the knee hard or lifting the straight leg, and weakness when you try to run

Common misunderstandings

"Hard stretching from day one speeds up recovery": in the early phase we protect the muscle from strong stretching, start gentle movement within comfortable limits, then build the load gradually
"Firm massage and heat help straight after the injury": in the first days they may increase swelling, so they are best avoided at this stage
"If walking no longer hurts, I am ready to play": everyday pain settling does not mean the muscle is ready to sprint; return comes after strength is back, you can sprint at full speed without pain and you have completed full training

What usually helps?

In the first days it usually helps to protect the leg and stay off sport, use a cold pack wrapped in a cloth and a compression bandage that is snug but not tight, and keep the leg raised, while avoiding heat and massage. Then gentle movement starts within comfortable limits so the muscle does not stiffen. After that, rehabilitation is built on graded strengthening, usually starting with gentle held contractions, tightening the muscle without moving, then stronger hip and knee exercises, moving on to exercises in which the muscle works while lengthening under load (eccentric exercise) and strengthening with the muscle in a lengthened position. Running is a core part of treatment, and we build it up gradually to sprinting at full speed without pain. The decision to return to sport is based on criteria, including pain-free sprinting, restored strength, completing full training without restrictions and confidence in the muscle, and it is shared between you, your physiotherapist and your coach. Severe injuries, especially when the tendon has pulled away from the bone, need an early opinion from an orthopaedic surgeon.

How we treat it at Revibe

We listen: how the injury happened, whether you felt a pop, whether you have injured it before, and your sport and match schedule
We examine the thigh, hip and lower back: where the pain and bruising are, movement, strength and walking, and identify what needs a doctor or imaging, such as a suspected tendon pulled away from the bone
We identify what may slow recovery or raise the chance of re-injury, such as weakness, returning too early or training load
We treat: graded strengthening and running are the core of the plan, with exercises for the hip and the whole leg; manual therapy and soft-tissue techniques may be added after the early phase when suited, but not instead of exercise, as the evidence for them is limited
We progress with a home exercise programme, a graded running programme up to full-speed sprinting, and tests before you return to play; if you need surgery, we follow the surgeon’s instructions afterwards

When do you need urgent medical care?

Severe pain after a fall or a hard blow, being unable to put weight on the leg, or a visible deformity — go to the emergency department or call an ambulance: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan
A pop and sudden pain high at the back of the thigh near the bone you sit on, with large bruising and difficulty walking: the tendon may have pulled away from the bone — see a doctor the same day, as an early orthopaedic surgeon’s opinion may be needed
New numbness, tingling or weakness spreading down the leg or into the foot — see a doctor the same day
Pain and swelling in one calf (could be a clot) — see a doctor the same day; if it comes with shortness of breath or chest pain, go to the emergency department straight away or call an ambulance: 911 in Jordan or 122 in Iraq and Kurdistan
A hot, red, swollen thigh with a fever or shivering

In these cases go to the nearest emergency department or a doctor straight away — instead of booking physiotherapy.

FAQ

When can I get back on the pitch?

There is no fixed date: a mild injury may improve within days, while a more severe one can take weeks or months. We use criteria such as sprinting at full speed without pain, restored strength, completing full training with the team and your confidence in the muscle, and decide on the return together with you and your coach.

Do I need an MRI or surgery?

Most hamstring injuries are treated without surgery, and not everyone needs an MRI. We refer you to a doctor or for imaging if we suspect the tendon has pulled away from the bone or the injury is severe, or if things do not improve as expected, and the decision about surgery belongs to the orthopaedic surgeon.

How can I lower the chance of it happening again?

The risk of re-injury is highest in the first period after returning, so it helps to keep up strengthening, especially exercises in which the muscle works while lengthening, build up sprinting and training gradually, warm up well and avoid hard training when you are very tired. The evidence for specific prevention programmes is still mixed.

How many sessions will I need?

It depends on your condition and its stage; after the first assessment we explain the plan and the expected number of sessions.

More common questions: Muscle and sports injury questions — 26 questions