Repairing muscle tears to get you moving again
Hamstring injuries are common in people who play sports that involve running, kicking or jumping. Most of these injuries are sprains and strains, which can be treated nonsurgically. When a muscle or tendon tears, however, or tears away from the bone, you may need surgery to repair the torn areas and restore function and mobility.
When hamstring surgery is needed
Your doctor can detect a severe hamstring injury by examining the area for swelling, tenderness or bruising. You may need imaging tests such as an X-ray or MRI to further determine the extent of your injury and also to provide more detailed information about your injury to help determine the best surgical approach.
Hamstring tendon repair surgery requires general anesthesia (you’ll be asleep for the procedure). Through an incision, your surgeon will reposition the muscles with one another or with the nearby bone. The surgery may also involve removal of scar tissue (buildup on ends of bones) as well as suturing (stitching or sewing) of muscles, and sometimes stapling of muscle to bone.
Recovering from hamstring tendon repair
Recovery from surgical procedures like hamstring repair takes time. After you have recovered from surgery, you will need to participate in a physical therapy program and do strengthening exercises to get your hamstring muscle strength back. How quickly you recover depends on a variety of factors, including your physical condition and your body’s ability to regenerate and recover. It is not uncommon for patients to take up to six months or longer to fully and comfortably participate in previous activities.
At Main Line Health, our renowned orthopaedic team specializes in surgical and nonsurgical approaches to hamstring tendon repair.
