Introduction
Hamstring injuries nag players of all sports and all levels. Dr. Jacques Courseault at The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center at Tulane University School of Medicine was the first to publish the benefits of a hamstring fascial hydrodissection to get athletes back in a few days. You can read the article here. We have published a case of a collegiate player befitting from a hamstring fascia hydrodissection. We present a case of an NFL running back who returned to full play within a week of the procedure.
Story
A 22-year-old NFL running back presented to The Fascia Institute and Treatment Center with a three-week history of a right hamstring strain he sustained during a game. He recalled cutting the astroturf and feeling the muscle pull. He was unable to continue playing. The franchise sports medicine team aggressively provided evidence-based treatment, which did provide healing benefits. However, the running back was unable to return to full contact practice. He did not feel pain with low-intensity activity but felt pain and tightness when “opening up to sprint and cut.” After a full clinical evaluation, an ultrasound evaluation revealed a strain in the semitendinosus noted with the use of power doppler imaging. Of note, this area of irritation and strain did not show up on the MRI taken the same day. The area of strain noted on power doppler imaging correlated with clinical palpation.
Hamstring fascial hydrodissection in an NFL player.
The athlete, sports medicine team, and Dr. Courseault decided to proceed with a hamstring fascial hydrodissection. Following the less than five-minute procedure, the athlete reported a negative Drag Test and felt no pain with stretching or walking. He followed an appropriate return-to-play protocol without limitation. He returned to full play in 4 days.
Conclusion
A hamstring fascial hydrodissection should be considered in acute and chronic cases of a hamstring injury. An ultrasound-guided hamstring fascial hydrodissection is safe and prevents athletes at all levels and types of sport from missing time. An athlete seeking safe and effective treatment should seek a physician who performs these procedures regularly and is an expert in fascial injury and treatment. Not all hamstring injuries are the same. The type, dose, and amount of medication injected must be individualized to the athlete and the injury. There is no “one size fits all” approach to this specialized treatment. If you are dealing with a hamstring injury and would like an assessment, please make an appointment request. If you are an active in-season athlete, your request will be expedited.
