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  1. Also known as: pulled hamstring
    It is a tear or strain to the muscles or the tendons at the back of the thigh.
    How common is condition?
    Common (More than 200,000 cases per year in US)
    Does diagnosis require lab test or imaging?
    Rarely requires lab test or imaging
    Time taken for recovery
    Can last several days or weeks
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    Causes

    Verified Expert

    • Caused by sudden movement that stretches the muscles beyond their limit and occurs mostly during sporting activities. Often occur while jumping, sprinting, or lungeing.
    • The factors which increases the risk include:
    • Failure to stretch and warm up before exercising
    • Weak hamstrings
    • Tightness in the quadriceps
    • Previous hamstring injury
    • Weak gluteus muscles

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    Symptoms

    Verified Expert
    Contact your provider if experiencing new, severe, or persistent symptoms.

    The symptoms of hamstring injury include:

    • Leg pain (sudden and severe) during an activity
    • Popping or snapping feeling
    • Severe pain that can make walking or standing difficult
    • Tightness
    • Spasm
    • Tenderness
    • Bruising

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    Diagnosis

    Verified Expert
    One or more of these tests may be recommended by your medical provider.
    Diagnosis involves physical examination and imaging tests may be necessary to confirm the condition.

    Common tests & procedures

    Physical examination: The doctor looks for signs of pain, tenderness, reduced flexibility and palpable regions. And take a medical history of the recent activities.

    X-ray: X-ray may be performed to see the affected area.

    See more
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  1. Skeletal muscles

    What are hamstring muscles? Your hamstring muscles are skeletal muscles. They’re voluntary muscles, meaning you control how they move and work. You have three hamstring muscles at the back of your thigh. You use these muscles to walk, climb stairs, do squats and perform many other leg movements.
    my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21904-hamstring-muscles
    my.clevelandclinic.org/health/body/21904-hamstring-muscles
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