Detecting and Treating a Torn Hamstring

A hamstring tear includes a sudden sharp pain in the lower back of your thigh or just below your buttocks where the hamstring starts. And as cringe-worthy as it is to imagine, it’s usually accompanied by a popping sound. This type of injury is prevalent in athletes who play football or basketball, as well as in dancers. The cause for a torn hamstring is usually poor flexibility (usually due to not warming up), muscle imbalance or a past injury to the hamstring.

Tearing your hamstring can stop you in your tracks. You’ll likely be unable to stand on the injured leg, and it may be most painful when you try to walk on it, or bend or straighten your leg. Immediately following a hamstring tear, the affected area will begin to swell, turn black and blue, and be painful to the touch.

Treating a Torn Hamstring
Immediately following your injury, treat the torn hamstring by doing the following:

• Rest the leg. Don’t try to walk on it; instead, take weight off of it immediately and elevate your leg above the level of your heart.
• Use an ice pack. Apply the ice pack to the back of your thigh every 20 minutes each hour to decrease swelling and pain.
• Take anti-inflammatories. Over-the-counter pain medications like Ibuprofen or Advil will help reduce inflammation and treat the pain.
• Seek medical attention. When your hamstring is torn, you won’t be able to bear any weight on your injured leg. And if you can’t walk more than four steps without significant pain, it’s time to see your doctor.

The best way to prevent future injury to your hamstring muscles is by warming up and stretching prior to exercise or any sports activity. Even a short warm-up promotes blood flow and prepares your body for the activity at hand.

Frequently asked questions

How do you know if you tore your hamstring?

A hamstring tear usually announces itself with sudden sharp pain at the back of the thigh during sprinting or rapid stretching, sometimes with a popping sensation. Bruising, tenderness and difficulty straightening the leg typically follow within a day.

How long does a torn hamstring take to heal?

Recovery depends on the grade of the tear, ranging from a couple of weeks for a mild strain to several months for a complete rupture. Returning before strength and flexibility are restored is the most common cause of reinjury.

What are the grades of hamstring injury?

Grade one is a mild strain with minimal fiber damage, grade two is a partial tear with clear weakness, and grade three is a complete rupture that may require surgical repair. The grade determines both the timeline and the treatment.

Should I stretch a torn hamstring?

Aggressive stretching in the first days can worsen the injury. Gentle range of motion early, followed by progressive strengthening under guidance, produces better outcomes than stretching alone.

When does a hamstring tear need surgery?

Surgery is generally considered for complete ruptures, particularly where the tendon has pulled away from the bone. Most partial tears heal well with structured rehabilitation and do not require an operation.

Reviewed by Dr. Richard Scheinberg, MD, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon in Santa Barbara with 40 years of surgical experience.