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Midsubstance Hamstring Injuries in the Athlete

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Hamstring and Quadriceps Injuries in Athletes

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Abstract

The hamstring muscular complex is a group of three muscles in the posterior thigh responsible for hip extension and knee flexion. Midsubstance hamstring injuries occur commonly in the athlete population, especially those who sprint or jump as a part of their sport. Both modifiable and non-modifiable risk factors for injury have been identified, and several grading schemes exist for stratifying the clinical and radiographic severity of injury. The clinical presentation of acute hamstring injuries is relatively reliable although there is a limited role in imaging for diagnosis. The treatment of midsubstance injuries is predominantly nonoperative and consists of symptom control in the early phase of injury with the ultimate goal of regaining range of motion and strength. The use of eccentric exercises has been shown to reduce the risk of initial injury as well as recurrence, while the achievement of normal or near-normal hamstring strength appears to be an important milestone for return to play.

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Author information

Authors and Affiliations

  1. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, University of California, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, 76-143 CHS, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Tadashi Takara MD

  2. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Ronald Reagan UCLA Medical Center, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, Box 956902, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Omar Medina BS

  3. Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, David Geffen School of Medicine at UCLA, 10833 Le Conte Avenue, CHS 76-126, Los Angeles, CA, 90095, USA

    Sharon L. Hame MD & David R. McAllister MD

Authors
  1. Tadashi Takara MD
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  2. Omar Medina BS
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  3. Sharon L. Hame MD
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  4. David R. McAllister MD
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Corresponding author

Correspondence to David R. McAllister MD .

Editor information

Editors and Affiliations

  1. Judson Wilson Professor of Orthopedics, Director of Sports Medicine, Departments of Orthopedics and and Sports Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    Christopher C. Kaeding

  2. Associate Clinical Professor, Departments of Family Medicine and Sports Medicine, Wexner Medical Center, The Ohio State University, Columbus, Ohio, USA

    James R. Borchers

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Takara, T., Medina, O., Hame, S.L., McAllister, D.R. (2014). Midsubstance Hamstring Injuries in the Athlete. In: Kaeding, C., Borchers, J. (eds) Hamstring and Quadriceps Injuries in Athletes. Springer, Boston, MA. https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7510-2_4

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  • DOI: https://doi.org/10.1007/978-1-4899-7510-2_4

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  • Publisher Name: Springer, Boston, MA

  • Print ISBN: 978-1-4899-7509-6

  • Online ISBN: 978-1-4899-7510-2

  • eBook Packages: MedicineMedicine (R0)

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