Reinjury Following Acute Hamstring Strains in Track & Field

Study Title: Reinjury After Acute Posterior Thigh Muscle Injuries in Elite Track and Field Athletes
Authors: N Malliaropolous, T Isinkaye, K Tsitas & N Maffulli
Journal: American Journal of Sports Medicine
Date: February 2011

Summary:

• Through one simple omission, this article provides little value. As you may be aware, the biarticular nature of the hamstrings seems to put this muscle group at higher risk of strain than monoarticular musculature. Since previous research has demonstrated reinjury rates as high as 34%, the objective of this cohort study was to determine whether a specific clinical assessment may be able to provide indicative factors of possible reinjury following an acute hamstring strain. 165 elite track and field athletes with first-time strains were evaluated in this prospective study. The specific clinical assessment utilized was a 4-grade classification system of hamstring injury based on active range of motion (AROM) - the greater the AROM deficit, the greater the severity of injury. Interesting classification system if you ask me! All athletes followed the same standardized plan of management following their injuries although the rehabilitation protocol was not described. Based on this classification system, it was revealed that athletes who suffered a grade II hamstring strain demonstrated a significantly higher risk of reinjury than those who suffered a grade I, III, and IV injury.
• Unfortunately, the results from this study mean very little to me since the rehabilitation protocol administered was not provided. One of the highest risk factors for reinjury is previous injury so it is clear that in non-contact sports, many rehabilitation and sport conditioning professionals are missing the boat when it comes to return to play. Therefore, in my opinion, a grading system based on AROM has little value compared to a well designed return to play rehabilitation and conditioning strategy as it pertains to minimizing the risk of reinjury following acute hamstring strains in elite track and field athletes.

Malliaropolous N et al. (2011). Reinjury after acute posterior thigh muscle injuries in elite track and field athletes. American Journal of Sports Medicine, 39(2); 304-310