Hamstring Strain Diagnosis

Hamstring strain diagnosis will identify what your injury is. Muscle strains graded 1, 2, or 3 depending on how bad they are. A professional therapist will perform some specific tests to help diagnose your injury. Here we explain how to tell how bad your pulled hamstring is.

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Diagnosis quiz
Assessment video

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Hamstring strain diagnosis quiz

Answer a few questions to determine how bad your hamstring strain is. Please remember this does not replace a real person. We always recommend seeking professional advice.

Did you notice pain at the time of injury?

A twinge/feeling of tightness

Yes, a sudden sharp pain

Yes, it was agony!

Could you walk just after injury?

Yes, normally with little or no pain

Yes but I was limping

No, unable to walk/severely limping

Could you run the day after injury?

Yes but not at full speed

Not without pain

No chance!

Was there any swelling?

Little or none

I think there was some

Rapid swelling

Does it hurt when trying to bend the knee against resistance?

A little/its weak

Yes painful

Ouch! No way could I do that!

Does it hurt when pressing into the muscle?

A little/Can feel a painful knot

Yes!

I won't press in as I know it is too painful.

How bad is my Hamstring Strain?

I think you may have a Grade 1 Hamstring Strain

I think you may have a Grade 2 Hamstring Strain

I think you may have a Grade 3 Hamstring Strain

Grade 1

You may have tightness at the back of the thigh, but will be able to walk normally without pain.
When running, you will be aware of some discomfort and will be unable to operate at full speed.
There will be little or no swelling.
Trying to bend the knee against resistance is likely to reproduce mild pain, with possible some weakness.

Grade 2

Your gait (walking pattern) will be affected, and you will most likely be limping. You will feel a sudden twinge of pain during activity.
You may notice some swelling.
Pressing into (palpating) the hamstring muscle will be painful.
Trying to bend the knee against resistance will also be painful and weak.

Grade 3

A grade 3 hamstring strain is a severe injury involving a tear to the majority or all of the muscle.
You may need crutches to walk and will feel severe pain and weakness in the muscle.
Swelling will develop rapidly and bruising will usually appear within 24 hours.
Seek medical attention urgently if you suspect a severe grade 2 or 3 injury.

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Hamstring strain diagnosis assessment

These include the straight leg raise (also called Lasègue test), resisted knee flexion the and the slump test. For more severe hamstring tears an MRI scan can help determine the exact location and extent of the injury. This will enable them to give a more accurate prognosis and estimate, of recovery time.