Proximal Hamstring Tears

If you are involved in sports or work activities that put strain on the hamstring, you are at risk of suffering a “pulled hamstring.” From a medical perspective, this may represent a pull, partial tear or complete tear.

If one or more of the muscles that are located at the back of the thigh suffer injury or damage, seeking an assessment from an experienced orthopedic surgeon is recommended. Athletes, especially, are prone to working through injuries that are more severe than they realize.

In the majority of cases, proximal hamstring tears can be treated using nonsurgical options. If you have a grade 1 strain, the injury is considered mild and will typically heal well. However, a grade 3 strain is at the other end of the spectrum and may require a number of months to heal.

Proximal hamstring tears are common in athletic sports that involve running or jumping. The proximal muscle belly, or the musculotendinous junction, is most frequently affected, whereas avulsion injuries of the proximal attachment happen less often.

Diagnosis of Proximal Hamstring Tears

Accurate diagnosis of proximal hamstring tears, including determining the severity of the injury, requires a comprehensive examination. Dr. Nic Gay and Dr. Masi Reynolds will ask a series of questions about when the injury occurred, which may provide clues as to the type of injury. Diagnosis is often supported by the results of x-ray and MRI images.

Receiving an accurate diagnosis of a proximal hamstring tear is important, as these injuries are often mistaken for overuse injuries. In order to deliver appropriate and effective treatment, Silicon Valley Orthopaedics is committed to fully assessing injuries in all cases.

If you are experiencing pain or discomfort in your hip region, make an appointment with Silicon Valley Orthopaedics today. We are passionate about providing our patients with minimally invasive treatment options in California.