Introduction: Hamstring Injuries in Athletes and Active Individuals

Hamstring injuries are common in sports that involve sprinting, such as track and field or football. The likelihood of hamstring injuries is increased by sudden loading of the hamstrings in the absence of a progressive increase of effort exertion or proper warm up exercises. Recovery times vary widely depending on the gravity of the injury, anywhere from a few weeks to a few months before return to play is possible.

Outside of athletes, people who have active lifestyles can also suffer from hamstring injuries if the exercise they perform involves explosive movements. Former athletes who are accustomed to power or sprint training may find it difficult to transition from an athletic, performance-driven lifestyle to a more sedentary one, where their previous workout routines require greater preparation and more activation exercises. We report a case of a former athlete (“dad-thlete”) who injured his hamstring while helping his 10-year-old son train for a soccer tournament.

Case Report

A 40-year-old moderately active male (dad) presented to our clinic complaining of hamstring pain. The patient identified a recent sprint training session with his son, who is training for a soccer tournament. The training session was performed without a proper warm up, which increased the chances of injury. He reported significant pain (8 on a scale of 1-10) while engaging in basic daily activities such as climbing the stairs and bending over to tie his shoes. Consequently, his ability to perform his preferred physical activities was significantly impaired.

Ultrasound-Guided Hydrodissection Procedure for Hamstring Tear

Ultrasound imaging confirmed the diagnosis of a grade 1 hamstring strain. The abnormalities in the biceps femoris muscle that required treatment were then identified. Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection was then performed at the injury site.

Results

Immediately following the procedure, the patient started to feel an improvement in his pain levels and range of motion. Within 24 hours, the patient returned to the clinic for a follow-up when he declared that his pain moved from an 8 to a 2 on a 1-10 pain scale. While he was able to resume daily activities with little to no pain, we recommended that he take a slow approach to his return to physical activity, consisting of minimal load of the hamstring muscle, avoiding running or jumping, and progressively increasing the load and intensity of exercise as tolerated. We expect that, given the rapid improvement immediately post-procedure, he will be able to perform his preferred forms of training within two weeks.

Conclusion: Benefits of Hydrodissection for Hamstring Injury Recovery

Ultrasound-guided hydrodissection is an effective technique for resolving hamstring injuries rapidly. Hydrodissection accelerates the recovery process by targeting the injured area in a minimally invasive manner. Physically active people who engage in sprinting or occasionally play explosive sports should keep in mind that preparing their bodies for the demands of the sport can prevent injuries. The minimally invasive nature of the procedure, combined with its rapid results, makes hydrodissection an appealing option for managing soft tissue injuries like hamstring strains in moderately active individuals, not just athletes.

Author: Orsula Staka, MBA
Editor: Jacques Courseault, MD, CAQSM , FAAPMR