Definition

Hamstrings are the muscles in the back of the leg that function in bending the knee and extending the hip during functional activities such as walking, stairs, and running. These muscles can become inflamed and cause pain in the back of the knee.

Symptoms

Pain in the back of the knee and thigh, tenderness noted behind the knee as well as stiffness is also common. With a more proximal (higher up) hamstring strain or tendonitis there can be pain in the buttock as well.

Causes

Increase in high speed training activities can cause inflammation, weak gluts and tight hamstrings can contribute to hamstring tendonitis. An increase in start/stop motions can cause more tension on the hamstring tendons in order to keep the body upright with speed changes.

Treatment and Prevention

Stretching of the hamstrings, deep tissue massage and cross-friction massage to promote healing and reduce tissue adhesions that can form after a strain, strengthening exercises such as hamstring curls, ultrasound or other modalities to decrease inflammation of the tendon.

• Hamstring curls
• Prone hip extension
• Hamstring stretch