48 hours since (self-assessed) grade 2 strain/tear

[Vino24]

Hey, new person here. Probably typically not good because that means injury

Anyways, I definitely didn't stretch out properly before my 12" softball game last sunday, so I blame this on myself....but I want to at least get on the ball for recouping.

I play left field....and as a lefty, without any shifts, I set up standard a littler closer to CF since my glove side is toward the foul line. well a guy hit a towering fly ball down the line, ultimately shifting foul. I put on the after burners to make a play on the ball, falling about 5 feet short. I felt a "twinge" (best descriptive word I got) in my left hamstring at the end of that chase. Enough where i mentioned it to the CF as trotting back and to keep me thinking about it, but nothing that would take me out of the game.

Well like 3 batters later, a ground ball single was hit to shallow LF. I charged the ball hard as there was a guy at 2nd so I was running hard anticipating the pending scoop and throw to the plate. As I got to the ball and leaned in to grab the ball I heard a "pop-like" sound and was literally leveled and just slid face first into the grass with my momentum. At the time it hurt all the way from my lower butt to my knee, but the central pain was in the hamstring.

I have been mobile on it since the injury, walking gingerly at about 1mph with occasional shooting pains in the hamstring if i move too fast or put leg in certain directions. There's really no pain if i just lay/sit/stand without moving in a comfortable position. But when I get into "bad" positions, most notably a "bending at the waist position, ESPECIALLY if my leg is straight", it is an unbearable pain. I've been icing at night and wrapping the leg up when at home and sleeping.

Any thoughts/advice/etc. on how to properly care for this. Do I necessarily need to see a doctor for this?? Thanks to anyone in advance that reads all this and can help at all. Also, any guesstimates on timetables that it will feel healed enough to just walk comfortably, etc.?

[Heidi]

Hi

Definately sounds like a hamstring strain. Is there any bruising? This may tell the extent of the damage?

You have done the right thing to rest it and apply ice and compression. Once it is comfortable start to do some gentle stretching to try to keep it mobile.

In a couple more days I would go for a sports (or deep tissue) massage to help with the healing by getting the blood to the tear, stretching out the muscle fibres and preventing a build up of non-elastic scar tissue. You can't have a massage within 72 hours of a muscle tear as there may still be bleeding.

You should be able to walk on it comfortably within 7-10 days (obviously this is just a generalisation). You should start doing gentle strengthening exercises (isometric holds first, progressing to isotonic knee curls and hip extension then adding resistance with a rehab band or ankle weight)

Have a look at our hamstring page for more information:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/back/hamstrings/hamstringstrain.htm

I hope this helps, good luck!

[Vino24]

Currently there is no visible bruising. I'm hoping that is a very good sign.

So, in this situation, is walking on it a "good" thing to help promote stretching the muscle out??

thanks for the help!!!

[Heidi]

Yes, having no bruising is a good sign. Try to walk on it normally but everything you do should be limited to pain. If there is any sharp pain at all then stop. Aching feelings are usually fine, it is just the muscles working.