Richard Soper: What to do If You Pull A Hamstring

For Richard Soper, a hamstring injury isn’t a major cause for concern. Any athlete, professional or amateur, is likely to have suffered from a hamstring pull at least once in their careers. However, an injured hamstring is still very uncomfortable and makes getting around a lot more difficult, and improper care for such an injury would only make the pain worse. Richard Soper lists the things you should do in case you pull your hamstring.

1. Have yourself checked. If you suspect you’ve pulled your hamstring, your doctor will check for various signs of the injury, such as swelling and tenderness. The doctor might also move your leg to identify the specific muscle that was injured and to rule out damage to the tendons or ligaments. You might also go through an X-ray or MRI procedure to see if there are tears or fractures.

2. Take a break. Moving around will only make the injury worse, so rest your leg and let it heal itself.

3. Use crutches. You don’t want to put weight on your injured leg; crutches help you get around. It does take some getting used to, but you’ll get the hang of it eventually.

4. Ice your hamstring. Applying an ice pack to the affected area will help the swelling go down and make it less painful. This is best done several times a day or when the pain become unbearable.

5. Compress the area. You can’t always ice your leg, so wearing compression shorts or a compression bandage will help keep the swelling down too.

6. Elevate your leg. Lie down and put your injured leg up above the level of your heart, if possible. You could rest your leg on a number of pillows or put it up against a wall. This will help improve drainage and keep the swelling to a minimum. Plus, it actually feels relaxing.

7. Take painkillers. Sometimes, the pain will get really bothersome. This is where over-the-counter painkillers, such as acetaminophen or ibuprofen, come in handy. Use only as directed by your doctor.