Torn hamstring rehab suggestions

[Ray Varella]

I’m not looking for medical advice. 

I tore my femoral bicep a few months back. 

I’ve had an MRI and seen an orthopedic surgeon. 

The tear is in the muscle and not where it attaches to the bone so they said it will heal on its own. 

I see a physical therapist and I have been walking and doing light cycling. 

I know there are a lot of people here who have dealt with injuries and I’m wondering if any of you have had a similar injury. 

Mine is listed as a high grade tear. 

It’s been over 4 months and I’m still not able to lift anything heavy without putting a lot of strain on the muscle. 

Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I could be doing or is this just how things go once you are in your 60s?

Thank you 

Ray

[Brian Turner]

I'm sorry you've been dealing with an injury, Ray. I don't have anything constructive to add other than my sympathy as another fellow Riv Group member currently suffering through an orthopedic injury.

Back in late May, the day after I completed an overnighter that involved two consecutive metric century days (at a bit faster pace than normal), I developed a sudden dull pain in my left buttock area / deep left hip joint while walking to my neighborhood grocery store. The pain persisted over the next few days, but seemed to flare up any time I walked for more than a couple of blocks or if I was on my feet for extended periods. The pain made it impossible for me to do my 3-mile morning dog walks, my daily 1-mile runs, and my cycling dropped off considerably, even though riding really doesn't cause me any pain. I went to the first ortho doc after about 10 days of no relief, and he diagnosed me with gluteus medius tendinopathy, which is basically an overuse injury. I started daily PT in mid-June and had a follow up with a second ortho doc in early June. I conveyed my suspicions to the second doc that my injury might be more joint-related, and in my gut I feel like it may be a labrum tear. All physical testing does not present the typical signs of a labrum tear, but I still have a nagging feeling that's what it might be. He prescribed a full 6-8 weeks of daily PT to see if strengthening the muscles in my hips would help (or possibly "fix" my issue). I think this is pretty standard practice before getting into more intensive imaging like MRIs with targeted contrast, or CT scans. I suppose at the end of this 6-8 week period, if I haven't made any significant improvement, then imaging will be the next logical step.

I'm hoping the daily exercises (which take me about an hour to complete each morning) will help, but I am doubtful. I fear a surgical repair is in my near future if it turns out to be a tear. I can do most normal things around the house, and I can work from my computer, but my fitness and activity levels have dropped to nearly nothing. I can't walk more than 1/2 - 1 mile without feeling that pain that sends me into a limp.

I'm bummed because I'll be turning 50 this year, and I had big plans for many bike adventures throughout the Summer and Fall to celebrate. My mind has definitely gone to some pretty dark places these past couple of months, and it has left me with little motivation to do much activity out of fear that I'm just aggrivating my situation.

I'm hoping your situation improves soon so that you can get back to your daily routine!

best,

Brian

Lexington, KY

[Eric Doelling]

Hi Ray 

"Does anyone have any suggestions on what else I could be doing or is this just how things go once you are in your 60s?"   I do! 

I am 65 and have suffered from torn hamstring for 10 years.  Historically PT did not help but I need to add that I was not the best patient.  Mine happens from cyclical efforts.  

I also tore my bicep a few months ago and since PT readily solved that problem ( back to pull ups and hanging) I gave him my hamstring to try.  I am encouraged with the improvements.  My PT thinks outside the box and responds to my feedback.  I found most PT's just keep to the scripted course and that did mostly nothing for my hamstring.  

Whats working for me were some unusual SI joint stretches my PT performed on me and most of all I think is performing Nordic Curls.  I have my wife sit on my ankles while I am prone on the bed.  I do 2 sets of 15.  You need to be a little bit patient to gain strength to perform the curls better and better.  PT says the curls help to realign the fibers from the muscle tears.  I just purchased a bar from Amazon to hold my legs for the curls.  

Credit to Dave at https://www.precisionptw.com/

Eric

[R. Alexis]

I will am not a physical therapist nor have I had use of one for this muscular area. 

The prior two years when I was training to compete in the 100 yard and last year when I doing the 100 and 50 yard dashes for my company corporate games events I had hamstring pulls. To help I would stretch my hamstrings and hold the position while I brushed my teeth every morning. I thought that the hamstring pull was in response to lack of adequate stretching and trying to do more than I had been doing. It seemed to help. Those Nordic Curls look like they would have been more helpful.  

Thanks,

Reginald Alexis