title: Evaluation and management of hamstring injuries.
abstract: Muscle injuries are the most common injuries in sports, with hamstring injuries accounting for 29% of all injuries in athletes. These injuries lead to prolonged impairment and have a reinjury risk of 12% to 31%. They range from mild muscle damage without loss of structural integrity to complete muscle tearing with fiber disruption. Novel MRI scores are increasingly being used and allow a more precise prediction of return to sport. In this article, the authors review the history, mechanisms of injury, and classification systems for hamstring injuries as well as present the latest evidence related to the management of hamstring injuries, including intramuscular and both proximal and distal insertional injuries. Indications for surgical treatment of certain proximal and distal avulsions, biological augmentation to the nonoperative treatment of midsubstance injuries, and advances in risk reduction and injury prevention are discussed.
authors.affiliation: Lauren H. Redler, Center for Shoulder, Elbow, and Sports Medicine, Department of Orthopaedic Surgery, Columbia University, 622 West 168th Street, PH-11 Center, New York, NY 10032. lauren.redler@gmail.com.
authors.forename: Christopher S
authors.initials: CS
authors.lastname: Ahmad
authors.forename: Lauren H
authors.initials: LH
authors.lastname: Redler
authors.forename: Michael G
authors.initials: MG
authors.lastname: Ciccotti
authors.forename: Nicola
authors.initials: N
authors.lastname: Maffulli
authors.forename: Umile Giuseppe
authors.initials: UG
authors.lastname: Longo
authors.forename: James
authors.initials: J
authors.lastname: Bradley
mesh_terms: D000328:Adult; D001265:Athletic Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D005260:Female; D006801:Humans; D007869:Leg Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D008279:Magnetic Resonance Imaging; D008297:Male; D018482:Muscle, Skeletal / Q000293:injuries* / Q000601:surgery; D013180:Sprains and Strains / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D013708:Tendon Injuries / Q000601:surgery / Q000628:therapy*; D055815:Young Adult
keywords: biceps femoris; cell therapy; distal hamstring resection; hamstring; hamstring injury prevention; platelet-rich plasma; proximal hamstring repair; semimembranosus; semitendinosus