Pulled hamstring

[EddieH]

Last night for the first thime ever I pulled a hamstring in a race. I thought it was cramp and managed to run hard the last half mile which was obviously a bad thing to have done.

I have been icing it regularly. What should I do to rehabilitate it, and how long before I can run again? Any tips from pros or those with experience would be very much appreciated.

[AndyC]

I remember Jason Leonard (the veteran England prop forward) saying "I can't have pulled a hamstring -athletes have them"

Eddie you could take the injury as a compliment to your athleticism.

Can't help much with advice -what you're doing sounds right to me
If you managed to run for half a mile it is probably not too bad -a bad injury would have you immobilised immediately normally in my experience.

I suggest that you consult a sports injuries clinic asap - again experience tells me the sooner an expert gets to start treatment the less severe the injury becomes and the sooner you'll be running again

[mharky]

a bad injury would have you immobilised immediately normally in my experience

You're obviously not very experienced then.

Eddie, don't go onto web-forums and ask for medical advice. If you had a strange rash or chest pains you wouldn't ask for advice off non-professionals. There are people on here who think SI cards are called dibbers and that the JK relays didn't have bussing problems. These people can't be trusted!

[Meat Market]

There are people on here who think SI cards are called dibbers

Is Nopesport dumbing down? Last time I looked the D-word (D*bb*r) was censored on here! I for one am going to make a complaint to the owners of this fine website and the daily mail - the country is going to the dogs!!

I vote we rename Emit brikkes - Dunkers I'll only charge 20p and 3% per usage.

Best wishes,
Dunkan Grassie

[mikey]

jobby injury to have.

Feels like it is getting better but as soon as you run it starts to hurt again. Running the extra half mile won't have helped.

Done this twice - four weeks of no running the first time - I'm getting over the second time now and have started running but still sore 5 weeks after doing it (doing the WOC selections last week didn't help ).

[rocky]

Eddie,

I'd back up Mharkys comments re seeing an expert. I pulled my hamstring at Scottish relays (and then did *that* sprint finish anyway) but the physio identified that I'd pulled it because my pelvis was slightly twisted. Even if the injury healed quickly on its own/with web-forum advice, my pelvis would still have been out of alignment and more likely to pull hamstring again.

Once my pelvis was bashed back into the right position my hamstring healed pretty quickly and I was back running in 10 days and raced Jukola in 3 weeks with no problems, however mine was a grade 2 pull (out of 4 I think, where 1 is a slight tweak and 4 is a full rupture) so not the most serious. However if you were able to run half a mile after doing it suggests it's at the easier end of the scale - I'd respectfully suggest that Derek Redmonds hamstring pull wouldn't have let him finish... http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=0t-NAum8kY8

[Slowtochide]

Eddie

So you are mortal after all!

If it is important to you to get over the injury (stupid question) then go and see a sports physio to get some treatment. The classic problem with muscle and tendon injuries is that when they heal the scar tissue tends to be shorter/tighter than before, so when you start training again it is immediately vulnerable to a repeat injury. A good physio will break down the scar tissue and help (along with thorough stretching by you)ensure that it heals at the correct length.

A

[EddieH]

Yes that's a really good point. I was wondering exactly when I should start stretching (I assumed I shouldn't for around about 24 hours).

I am trying to find a sports injury clinic here - (there used to be one which did not impress me at all when I visited it). Have left a message with one in the phone book, but so far no reply!

[Gross]

Eddie,

If Joan Noble is still about your area then give her a call.... she should know where to send you [the knackers yard ]

[Slowtochide]

Physios normally recommend 48 hours before you start stretching. Try doing a range of stretches as well, not just the one. The more you can stretch the muscles and tendons around the injury the less stress you put on it

A

[AndyO]

Eddie

I have sent a PM with contact details of a physio in your area

Cheers