Anyone with torn hamstring experience?

[limabean]

I fell and tore my hamstring (the bicpes femoris, which runs along the outer back of the thigh, toward the outer back of the knee) in December. I ignored it for a month, hoping it would get better, then saw my doctor and was referred to physical therapy for a month. The muscles surrounding the tear got stronger, but the tear itself doesn't feel better at all -- it doesn't hurt when I walk (thank goodness!), but lots of other movements hurt it, and I can't straighten or bend that leg all the way. My doctor said to just continue for another month (just on a home exercise program, without visiting the PT anymore) and then see an orthopedist if things don't improve. 

Has anyone else had experience with a hamstring tear? Did it heal successfully without surgery? My doctor also mentioned the possibility of a steroid injection -- I don't know anything about that, has anyone had one, and was it helpful? I'd appreciate any input -- thanks!

[JayGee]

You may want to see a chiropractor who is certified in ART.  I partially tore my hamstring about 2 years ago and fully recovered with the help of ART.  Hurts like hell, but worth it!

[limabean]

Originally Posted by JayGee 

You may want to see a chiropractor who is certified in ART.  I partially tore my hamstring about 2 years ago and fully recovered with the help of ART.  Hurts like hell, but worth it!

How long did your recovery take? My physical therapist did lots of stretch/massage/movement combination stuff that seemed like (or was similar to) ART, and boy you're right that it hurt like hell, but she wanted to break up potential scar tissue and prevent adhesions. Is stuff like that still helpful after the first couple of months? 

[Panserbjorne]

I did, when I was in a very physical occupation.  It was murder.  Took two years for me to say it was fully healed (granted, I was contractually obligated and only had 6 weeks of rest after the initial tear.)  I was in PT a few times a week, but wow, that was painful.  The breaking of the scar tissue?  A form of torture.

Never did surgery, but had to do a lot of work to break up scar tissue.  That was before I was using natural medicine, but I'm quite certain that would have changed things.  Best of luck!  I'm very sorry you are going through this.

[JayGee]

Full recovery took a long time.  I still get some minor twinges in my hamstring now, but nothing really painful.  I injured it in May 2009, and wasn't diagnosed until January 2010.  Then I did 3 months of ART, electrical stimulation, and kinesiotaping.  It's a difficult injury to rehab because you really use your hamstring for everything.  Be patient.  It will get better.