Complete avulsion of hamstring
Posted , 52 users are following.
Has anyone had comp[lete avulsion of hamstring plus tendons. Slipped on decking in October 2014. Still in a lot of pain in sit bone!!. Has anyone got any advice re recovery. Am due to have steroid injection in bum and drain any fluid still there. It just seems a long time I;ve been in pain. I keep being told by medical professionals this is very rare injury!!
6 likes, 195 replies
excel_care09482 sandra88941
Posted
Hamstring injuries are common in athletes who participate in sports activities such as track, soccer, and basketball that involve running, The three hamstring muscles namely semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris are at the back of the thigh and helps you bend (flex) your knee and extend your leg.
Injuries to the hamstring group of muscles can range from a minor strain to a complete tear. Avulsion injury occurs when the hamstring muscle tendon completely tears away from the bone. Sometimes, the tendon or ligament may even pull off a piece of bone along with it.
Hamstring tendon avulsions are caused by a sudden contraction of the hamstring muscle during strenuous exercise. A sudden jump, overstretch, or large sudden load to the muscle can increase your risk of hamstring avulsion injury.
Patients with hamstring avulsion injury will experience extreme pain, weakness, cramps while walking and running, and poor leg control, particularly while walking down a slope.
Hamstring avulsions occur rarely and are often difficult to differentiate from simple strains. Diagnosis is made through the symptoms and physical examination. During the physical examination, your doctor will examine your thigh for tenderness and bruising as well as check for signs of pain, swelling and weakness in the back of your thigh. Your doctor may order an X-ray to see whether the avulsed tendon has pulled away a small piece of bone and MRI scan to determine the severity of your injury.
Initial treatment for hamstring injuries involves rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE protocol); all assist in controlling pain and swelling.
Hamstring avulsion is a serious injury that may require surgery. During the tendon avulsion repair, hamstring muscles are pulled back to its normal attachment. Your surgeon cuts away any scar tissue from the hamstring tendon and then the tendon is reattached to the bone using staples or stitches. If there is a complete tear within the muscle, the torn ends are reattached using stitches.
After surgery, you may need to use crutches and a brace to protect and keep your hamstring muscle in relaxed position. Your doctor will recommend physical therapy which involves gentle stretching exercises in order to restore normal function. Rehabilitation period of at least 3 to 6 months may be needed before returning to athletic activities.
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Summer63 sandra88941
Posted
I slept on the floor at work and I pulled hamstring muscles they say it's a grade 1 and I don't need surgery unless I want to of course I don't it looks like hamburger Terror from the doctor I went to surgeon he said he need to drill holes anchor up my tendons again but since I'm 54 and I smoke that's a risk so I should do non-operative I just wanted to know if I do not do surgery are muscles just sitting in my thigh can I go back to work recover and be the same person I was without surgery
Summer63
Posted
I work my workers comp says make a decision by tomorrow that's when I see the surgeon again to tell him if I want surgery or not there's a lot of risk cuz I'm a smoker and I really don't like the looks of the surgery so I want to tell him no way but I also want to be back to normal what's the chance of that
michelle66434 Summer63
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Summer63 michelle66434
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tania1993 Summer63
Posted
Hi Summer!
From what I understand, it don't think that your hamstring will heal well without surgery. the detached muscles will probably atrophy due to lack of use. The hamstring not only has to do with strength, but control of your leg overall. Once the muscles atrophy, its even more difficult to get surgery later. I felt far from normal after my injury, and I honestly doubt you will be back to normal without surgery. As michelle said, make sure to get a second opinion. Good luck and try to stay positive!
judy74781 Summer63
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Summer63 tania1993
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joy89516 Summer63
Posted
Good to hear you'll get a 2nd opinion.
michelle66434 Summer63
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Summer63 sandra88941
Posted
they said it's an avulsion of the common hamstring tendon from the ischial tuberosity with inferior fiber retraction 3.4 cm
Summer63
Posted
I was shocked to find out the information and I'm going today to see if I'm going to ask him some more questions I don't really want the surgery he said because I'm 54 and I'm not going to be sprinting or running up Mount Everest that I don't have to do surgery so I kind of like hearing that but my workers comp lady from Amazon stated if I don't get the surgery they're going to close the case
michelle66434 Summer63
Posted
If you read through this forum you will see a lot of people were told same thing abt not running and age etc.
It sounds like you have 1 of the 3 tendons attached stilk, but I caution you to shy from surgery. Don't let them push you into closing work comp file.
Get another opinion. There are other beneficial things they do when they reattach, for example, my Dr debreeded some of the bad tissue so that healthier tissue had a chance to replace the bad during my recovery.
michelle66434 Summer63
Posted
Please don't kid yourself , this is a big injury that you have!!!
joy89516 michelle66434
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joy89516 Summer63
Posted
Summer63 joy89516
Posted
so you had the surgery how long did you wait to make the decision to have surgery weren't you afraid I am I'm also a smoker so there's a lot of more risky said I know his workers comp doctor for my work but when he tells me some have surgery some don't I'm afraid and I don't want to start over from the progress that I have right now
joy89516 Summer63
Posted
joy89516 Summer63
Posted
Did the splits on black ice on 2/15 and had surgery on 3/12 . All 3 tendons detached with a 5 cm retraction. Mine was considered high risk due to being over weight and other health issue. Was told if I didn't do it, I'd start having problems with my good leg, too. Balancing problems, knee pain. Mine is a workers comp, too.
michelle66434 Summer63
Posted
The sooner they reattach ,ultimately the better. Less time for atrophy to set in.
I was detached 3 months before they determined it was not just a bad tear. It was 4 1/2 months post avulsion before I had my surgery.
I had atrophy and denervation. The recovery is very slow, but I work as a hair colorist/stylist and was back to work within 2 months.
Summer63 joy89516
Posted
My work doctor never told me any advantages to having to the surgery only about disadvantages and told me well what are we going to do yesterday. Surgery or no surgery. I said no surgery. So I that's that. He told me ok I'll see you in three weeks then and see how your doing. Just rest let it scar up then we'll start some physical therapy.
walt-whoops joy89516
Posted
I am one week behind you; my surgery was 3/19.
How is your numbness and pain?
Do you have a lot of swelling?
What limitations did your doc put you on?
Thanks-
Walt
joy89516 Summer63
Posted
Keep me posted on your recovery without surgery.My Dr didn't even suggest not doing it. So I never had another option. So your workers comp case is closed ?
joy89516 walt-whoops
Posted
I'm 18 days PO and just had my first PT appt this morning. Dull pain and minimum numbness. Swelling seems to be going down. There's a lot of people with this injury, you can find them by going to Facebook and search for proximal hamstring injury and surgery. Lots of people at different stages of surgery.
walt-whoops joy89516
Posted
Thank you Joy, and I hope that first PT visit was good. I guess the PT was mobilizing it and giving you gentle exercises.
Glad you have only full pain and minimum numbness. Had the pain and numbness been much greater earlier?
Did your doc tell you you could weightbear 50% (or at all) on the surgical side after the surgery ?
Did doc say you could use a walker or rollator if you bear a lot of the weight on your arms?
Maybe my stinging & burning and swelling are from overuse as Michelle suggested.
I am now back to crutches only to see if that chills out the pain.
I just joined that FB group; thanks for mentioning that earlier to another member.
I wish you well and appreciate hearing of your past, present, and future hammy status....
Walt (where's that surfing-On-ball-bearings emoji when you need it?)