Abstract
The hamstring muscular complex is a group of three muscles in the posterior thigh responsible for hip extension and knee flexion. Midsubstance hamstring injuries occur commonly in the athlete population, especially those who sprint or jump as a part of their sport. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for injury have been identified, and several grading schemes exist for stratifying the clinical and radiographic severity of injury. The clinical presentation of acute hamstring injuries is relatively reliable although there is a limited role in imaging for diagnosis. The treatment of midsubstance injuries is predominantly nonoperative and consists of symptom control in the early phase of injury with the ultimate goal of regaining range of motion and strength. The use of eccentric exercises has been shown to reduce the risk of initial injury as well as recurrence, while the achievement of normal or near-normal hamstring strength appears to be an important milestone for return to play.
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Takara, T., Medina, O., Hame, S.L., McAllister, D.R. (2014). Midsubstance Hamstring Injuries in the Athlete. In: Kaeding, C., Borchers, J. (eds) Hamstring and Quadriceps Injuries in Athletes. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7510-2_4
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