By: Tim Abel, PT, DPT, OCS
With the injury of Buffalo Bills running back LeSean McCoy, many people are talking about how hamstring injuries recover.
Here Are Some Facts on Recovering from a Hamstring Injury:
- Research has found hamstring reinjury rates to be as high as 50% in some studies. Proper rest, recovery, and prevention is key to avoiding reinjury.
- An individualized rehabilitation program can allow athletes to return to play relatively quickly and safely. A combination of progressive agility and trunk stabilization and/or progressive running and eccentric strengthening have been shown to be effective in returning athletes to their sports.
- Typical gym equipment exercises do not adequately prepare people for playing their sports. There needs to be sport-specific training, such as agility drills, plyometrics, and speed work, to reduce the risk of injury.
- Returning to play before the hamstring muscles regain proper explosive strength will put athletes at a higher risk for injuries like ACL (anterior cruciate ligament) tears.
Physical therapists are experts in hamstring injuries and can help evaluate and treat them.
If you’ve been diagnosed with a hamstring injury, feel free to contact us at .
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