Your hamstrings work together with your gluteal muscles to extend your hip during physical activity, and while your glutes do the lion’s share of the work, sometimes your hamstrings succumb to overuse, especially if they are not adequately trained.

If you are experiencing hamstring and buttock pain, you may have a condition called proximal hamstring tendinopathy (PHT). Learn more about the condition, and the best and fastest available treatment options.

There are four muscles at the back of each of your thighs that make up the hamstrings. Your hamstrings cross over two joints — at the knee where they produce knee flexion, and at the hip, where they contribute to hip extension. The proximal tendons of three of the hamstring muscles are anchored to the pelvic ischial tuberosity, the lower part of the pelvis beneath the buttocks, sometimes called the “sit bones.”

Repetitive use during sports or exercise can cause the hamstring tendons to become inflamed and irritated, resulting in pain and reduced mobility.In severe cases, the tendon may even become torn or ruptured. Excessive sitting can also cause upper hamstring pain in people who are sedentary and/or elderly.

Over time, if left untreated, the tendon may begin to degenerate, a condition called proximal hamstring tendinopathy that impedes function and reduces athletic performance.

A recent study interviewed 13 expert physical therapists and analyzed data to gather information on the diagnosis, management and prevention of PHT.

According to the experts, characteristics of the condition include:

• An insidious onset, meaning the condition begins as mild to moderate pain and worsens gradually over time

• Pain following a spike in training load, where exercise intensity is suddenly increased, such as when a runner increases their distance before an event, or when hill running is added to their training regimen

• Pain that is consistently localized at the ischial tuberosity during loading or stretching, and does not radiate to other parts of the body

• Increased discomfort when direct compression is applied, as when sitting

• Discomfort that increases with greater hip flexion under a load

During diagnosis, the clinician will seek to differentiate your condition from other possible causes of pain, to determine if you have simple tendinitis, a tendon rupture or avulsion, a compressed or entrapped sciatic nerve, or proximal hamstring tendinopathy.

Diagnosis may include:

• Medical history to look for potential contributing factors, such as a previous injury

• Clinical exam that includes palpation of the locus of pain

• Comparison with the non-injured hamstring, to detect signs of muscle atrophy

• Testing for hamstring strength and range of motion

• Load-based tests with gradual increases in speed

• Diagnostic imaging via MRI or ultrasound

High resolution diagnostic ultrasound is the imaging method of choice for upper hamstring pain, because it allows us to visualize the injured area in real time, with the patient in motion. It also enables us to scan the entire length of structures like bones and nerves, to look for issues like sciatic nerve pain in the hamstrings.

The experts agree that there is no quick fix for PHT, which can be frustrating for athletes and fitness enthusiasts who want to remain active. Reducing physical activity and avoiding exercises or activities that involve even moderate hip flexion is necessary during the rehab and healing process.

Treatment options for PHT include:

• Manual hamstring massage

• Dry needling

• Extracorporeal shock wave therapy (ESWT)

• Blood flow restriction training

• Progressive eccentric loading

• Biomechanical analysis and retraining

• Gait analysis and retraining

Working with a physical therapist who specializes in tendon issues can mean the difference between full recovery from proximal hamstring tendinopathy and return to normal physical activity, or resigning yourself to reduced activity and potential long-term disability.

Tendon injuries are common among physically active adults, and neglecting to treat them can lead to tendon degeneration, reduced function and limited mobility. Even if you have lived with tendinopathy for years after a tendon injury, there is still a chance for full recovery.

The tendon specialists at NYDNRehab used the latest therapies and most advanced technologies to rehabilitate tendon injuries. Our clinic features the highest resolution diagnostic ultrasound equipment available, for fast and accurate diagnosis. Dr. Kalika is a certified expert in diagnostic ultrasonography, ultrasound guided dry needling, ESWT and other regenerative therapies that stimulate healing at the cellular level.

If you want to eliminate upper hamstring pain and get back to your favorite sport or physical activity, contact NYDNRehab today, and jump-start the healing process so you can get back to doing the things you love!

Resource

Nasser, Anthony M., et al. “Proximal hamstring tendinopathy; expert physiotherapists’ perspectives on diagnosis, management and prevention.” Physical Therapy in Sport 48 (2021): 67-75.