Rehabilitation After Hamstring Strain Injury Emphasizing Eccentric Strengthening at Long Muscle Lengths: Results of Long Term Follow-up
Publication Date
2015
Journal Title
J Sport Rehabil
Abstract
CONTEXT: Hamstring strain injuries have a high recurrence rate. OBJECTIVE: To determine if a protocol emphasizing eccentric strength training with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in a low recurrence rate. DESIGN: Longitudinal cohort study Setting: Sports medicine physical therapy clinic. PARTICIPANTS: 50 athletes with hamstring strain injury (age 36+/-16 yo; 30 men, 20 women; 3 G1, 43 G2, 4 G3; 25 recurrent injuries) followed a 3-phase rehabilitation protocol emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position. MAIN OUTCOME MEASURES: Injury recurrence; isometric hamstring strength at 80 masculine, 60 masculine, 40 masculine and 20 masculine knee flexion in sitting with the thigh flexed to 40 masculine above the horizontal and the seat back at 90 masculine to the horizontal (strength tested prior to return to sport). RESULTS: Four of the fifty athletes sustained reinjuries between 3 and 12 months after return to sport (8% recurrence rate). The other 42 athletes had not sustained a reinjury at an average of 24+/-12 mo after return to sport. Eight noncompliant athletes did not complete the rehabilitation and returned to sport prior to initiating eccentric strengthening in the lengthened state. All four reinjuries occurred in these noncompliant athletes. At time of return to sport, compliant athletes had full restoration of strength while noncompliant athletes had significant hamstring weakness, which was progressively worse at longer muscle lengths (Compliance x Side x Angle P=0.006; involved vs. noninvolved at 20 masculine, compliant 7% stronger, noncompliant 43% weaker). CONCLUSION: Compliance with rehabilitation emphasizing eccentric strengthening with the hamstrings in a lengthened position resulted in no reinjuries.
Volume Number
26
Issue Number
2
Pages
131-140
Document Type
Article
EPub Date
2015/09/12
Status
Faculty, Northwell Researcher
Facility
School of Medicine; Northwell Health
Primary Department
Physical Medicine and Rehabilitation
Additional Departments
Orthopedic Surgery
PMID
DOI
10-1123/jsr.2015-0099
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