Hamstring tendonitis results from inflammation of the tendons at the back of the thigh.
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Causes: How Does Hamstring Tendonitis Happen?
Hamstringtendonitis,like other conditions that affect tendons, results from repetitive stress and overuse.
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This includes movements like:
This can also occur if there is weakness in the glute muscles.
This can strain the hamstring muscles too much, leading to tendonitis.
Pain and tenderness to the touch are often felt over this area.
Usually there is no swelling, bruising, or hamstring muscle weakness.
Hamstring tendonitis gradually builds up over time with no sudden trauma.
Previous hamstring injuries, however, can increase the risk of developing hamstring tendonitis.
Pain from hamstring tendonitis typically worsens with aggravating movements like running, squats, and lunges.
Prolonged sitting can also irritate symptoms due to pressure placed on the hamstring tendons.
Stretching of thehamstring musclescan irritate pain as well by placing increased tension on the hamstring tendons.
Because thesciatic nerveis located near the hamstring muscles, hamstring tendonitis can sometimes compress the sciatic nerve.
These imaging methods can also help rule out any other conditions that can affect the back of the thighs.
This will prevent aggravating activities from irritating your hamstring tendons further to allow inflammation to calm down.
Exercises should gradually be increased in intensity and range of motion over time.
Eccentric hamstring exercises, in particular, can help with recovery from hamstring tendonitis.
These types of exercises, such as Nordic curls, require the use of hamstrings.
This helps strengthen the hamstring, which can decrease irritation over time.
Full recovery typically takes between one and three months.
This can help make everyday activities like walking and sitting more tolerable.
Injections
Acorticosteroid injectioninto the hamstring tendons delivers anti-inflammatory medication directly to the site of irritation.
This can help decrease inflammation and pain, and may make physical rehabilitation easier.
PRP injections involve injecting isolated platelets from a sample of your own blood into the site of pain.
This is believed to promote your bodys natural ability to heal.
Shockwave Therapy
Shockwave therapy is a treatment method that delivers shockwave impulses over a painful area.
Surgery for hamstring tendonitis is similar to adductortenotomyperformed foradductor tendonitis.
This helps redistribute the force transmitted through the tendon and decrease signals from painful nerve endings.
Between 8090% of patients return to exercise and sports between two and 12 months after surgery.
For a less-invasive option, percutaneous ultrasonic tenotomy may be considered.
This helps to remove scar tissue and promote tendon healing.
This is a sign of a severe injury that requires immediate medical attention.
Aggravating activities include running, sprinting, jumping hurdles, squatting, and lunging.
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