Usain Bolt bolts to golden victories despite hamstring tear

The hamstring actually is comprised of three muscles that stretch down the back of the leg from the hip and attach to the knee with tendons.

Watching Usain Bolt run during the 2016 Rio Olympics was amazing. He made each gold medal victory look so easy considering just a few months earlier he withdrew from the Jamaican qualifying trials because of a grade 1 hamstring tear. Recovering in time to participate in the Olympics would not be easy, or even guaranteed for an athlete of Bolt’s caliper.

Hamstring tears, or more accurately strains, have three levels of severity. Grade 1 is a slight pull without loss of strength. Grade 2 is a partial tear and decreased strength, and grade 3 is a complete rupture.

The hamstring is actually three muscles that stretch from the hip down the back of the thigh attaching to the back of the knee with tendons. The hamstring is important for bending and stabilizing the knee and straightening the hip. It also is used to run and jump.

A hamstring tear is a fairly common injury. In fact, it is actually the most common injury to the thigh. Hamstring injuries can occur from sudden starting and stopping, a previous leg injury, poor fitness, fatigue, overuse and/or a sudden blow to the leg.

Hamstring strain symptoms

• Pain that worsens during and after strenuous activity
• An audible “pop sound” at the time of injury
• Muscle spasm in the back of the thigh
• Pain/weakness with running, jumping, or bending the knee against resistance
• Crepitation when the tendon is moved or touched
• Bruising in the thigh 48 hours following the injury
• Loss of fullness of the muscle, or area of muscle bulging with complete rupture

Most hamstring strains will heal with rest and physical therapy in a couple of weeks. Only some grade 3 tears require surgery. If you experience any of the symptoms listed above, or know you strained your hamstring, it is important to see a specialist like Dr. Steven Chudik to have your injury accurately diagnosed and the proper treatment and rehabilitation program started as soon as possible so you can resume your quest for gold, golf or your daily activities.

A hamstring strain is just one of the many orthopaedic sports medicine injuries Dr. Steven Chudik sees and treats at his Shoulder, Knee and Sports Medicine Clinic in Westmont, Ill. To schedule an appointment with Dr. Chudik, call 630-324-0402, visit stevenchudik.com and click on the Schedule an Appointment tab at the top of the page.