Heritage Medical Equipment, LLC

Thigh Sleeves

 Athletes pull hamstrings and strain quadriceps.  These muscles are prone to inury because they both involve the hips and knees - big powerful joints.  And both sets of muscles are particularly helpful when running and jumping.  The moment of injury is usually unforgettable.  Sharp debilitating pain and an audible "pop".  Some say it's like getting shot in the thigh.

The worst part to many athletes about pulling a hamstring is the reality that the hamstring, once injured will now always be prone to strains and tears.  It is critical to athletic performance that these muscles heal properly.  Hamstrings can take 6 months to knit back together.    

The words "rest", "ice", "compression", and "elevation" need to become very familiar to the athlete suffering with a thigh strain.  Asprin too.  

Once injured, reinjury prevention is essential.  Warm-up, stretch, and condition.  A thigh sleeve can provide warmth and compression to your hamstrings and quadriceps.  This increases blood flow to the muscles - that can help.    

If the injury reoccurs make sure the muscle heals completely before trying again. 

 

 

Hamstring Strain

 

The hamstring muscles bend the knee and extend the hip.  There are three muscles that comprise the hamstring group: the semitendinosus, the semimembranosus, and the biceps femoris.  A pulled hamstring or strained hamstring is tear in one or more of these muscles.

The symptoms of a pulled hamstring is primarily a sudden pain at the back of the leg.  This sharp pain often times happens during exercise while running fast or moving quickly.  Pain when bending or straightening the leg is common.  There will be swelling and bruising.  If the tear is substantial, a gap in the muscle can be felt.

Pulled hamstrings are divided into three grades:

 

• Grade 1 - Minor tear within the muscle group
• Grade 2 - Partial tear within the muscle group
• Grade 3 - Complete rupture within the muscle group

It is essential that treatment of a pulled hamstring start immediately after injury.  The first 48 hours is critical.  Rest, ice, compression, and elevation should be used in conjunction with one another.  Then get to your doctor.  Correct rehabilitation will require stretching and strengthening through therapy and exercises throughout the range-of-motion a patient can tolerate.  

Ultrasound, sports message, and physical therapy are also legitimate alternatives.  A thigh sleeve will provide warmth and compression to get you up and moving.