Hamstring injury

[Blossom20]

Oh no! Just went for an evening walk and have pulled my hamstring! Took ages to limp home! Will it take ages to heal? I'm icing it now. Argh!

[RiverKings]

I have had a similar experience with a calf muscle. Underwent all kinds of tests as it wouldn’t heal and could have been a DVT (blood clot). Everything was negative and it did heal after about six weeks. I think with Prednisone it’s easier to injure muscles and ligaments, and it takes longer than normal to heal.

[PMRdaughter]

Don’t ice your hamstring. I’ve been in physio for weeks for a hamstring issue and my physio says always use heat with a muscle pull or tear. Rarely use ice.

[PMRpro Ambassador in reply to PMRdaughter]

orthoinfo.aaos.org/en/disea...

I've just checked at least half a dozen sources for treatment of hamstring injuries - that link is just one. Without exception they say RICE: Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation

[PMRdaughter in reply to PMRpro]

That’s what I’m being treated for at the moment. They’ve told me the heat will bring blood flow to the area of injury and ice will tighten up the muscle, it’s only used initially at the fist sight of injury. It’s probably wise to go to the doctor, maybe they can give a physio therapy referral.

[nickm001 in reply to PMRdaughter]

Yes, ice is only helpful immediately after injury to reduce swelling. After first day, heat and gentle massage helps more.

[Rimmy]

It is important to note muscles and tendons can be affected by Pred use - I had an Achilles problem which was 'bad' for a while and discovered this kind of thing was one of the numerous (possible) 'side effects'. You may need to be careful of not over-stretching or doing any exercises which are even slightly 'extreme'. I tried some (recommended by a physio - sigh) and they made things much worse. I then recovered over a few weeks with rest and only gentle exercise - this is just my experience but maybe worth considering.

[Blossom20 in reply to Rimmy]

Unfortunately I think you're right. Oh dear! I just referred myself to physio but now I'm scared they will give me wrong treatment! I think we have to move and stretch to keep supple, but now I realise how easily we can do damage. Has to be v v gentle..

[HeronNS in reply to Blossom20]

Make sure therapist knows your relevant medical history so their expectations are not unrealistic.

[Estellemac]

I turned round in the kitchen and did my hamstring in. The bruising was all down my leg. It responded to painkillers but took two weeks to walk properly and about a months to heal.