I can't straighten me leg

[umyeahitsbritt]

Hi,
I woke up the other morning and I could not straighten my leg without pretty bad pain. The pain comes is on the outside in the back of my knee. I've been trying to straighten it while sitting and it is just as bad as when there is pressure on it. It feels as if it were going to snap. There was no particular injury, I had just done leglifts with a bowflex and had cheerleading conditioning/practice the day before. I've been icing and resting for the last 2 days and I will continue to do so, but I have tryouts next week. Any sugguestions on what this could be or anything more i can do to get it back to normal faster?

[Heidi]

Hiya,

So you'd done some pretty strenuous, leg heavy exercise the day before? Does the knee not bend fully, or is it just painful to do so? Is there pain on hamstring contraction or palpation of the hamstring tendon on the outside, back of the knee?

Damage to this tendon would be my guess, but obviously it is very difficult with little information and not being able see the knee. You've done the right thing to rest and ice. Stretch it regularly (without pain, just a achey, stretchy feeling) and get some massage and maybe ultrasound from a sports injury specialist.

Good luck!