Torn hamstring of the thigh
Torn muscle fiber in the thigh
Ruptured muscle fibers can occur in any muscle, but the most common of these injuries are the muscles of Thigh or Torn calf muscle affected.
A torn muscle fiber often occurs in the thigh as part of sporting activities. Sports that are particularly dangerous here are those in which the muscle can be subjected to direct force (such as football, handball or squash), but also those that are accompanied by sudden acceleration and deceleration movements, such as Tennis or sprints. Sometimes it happens that an affected person can even feel the fibers tear. The associated sudden thigh pain is characteristic. More rarely, however, it happens that pain only develops within the next few hours after the injury.
Symptoms of a torn thigh muscle
As with all torn muscle fibers, the symptoms are characteristic of the thigh. Pain is the main symptom. It appears suddenly and surprises the person affected in one movement. Its intensity can vary, but is reported by most patients to be extremely strong and stabbing.
The movement that is being performed must usually be stopped and the thigh immobilized. Classically, the pain subsides when the patient is rested and occurs again when the thigh is tensed.
In the case of severe muscle fiber tears in the thigh, which may have to be defined as a muscle bundle tear, there may be a loss of function. Due to the severe damage to the tissue, it can no longer apply the necessary force and the leg can possibly only be moved to a limited extent.
In addition to pain and dysfunction, sensory disturbances can also occur. If so, there is a possibility of nerve involvement, which significantly exacerbates the extent of the injury. A precise diagnosis helps to identify the damage, to classify the injury and to treat it correctly.
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Signs of a torn thigh muscle
The signs of a torn thigh muscle are sudden onset of pain in the leg that is sharp to the touch and felt quite intensely. A continuation of the movement seems impossible. Relief can be achieved through immobilization. The pain is followed by bruising or swelling of the thigh. Impressive bumps or dents may also form. The latter is particularly noticeable. It is caused by the gap left by the torn muscle fibers and is a sign of a more severe muscle fiber tear, which suggests a longer healing phase from the start.
In a few cases it happens that the pain in the thigh cannot be precisely localized because it radiates to the entire lower leg.
A short time after the accident occurred, a dent in the muscle of the thigh can often be seen and occasionally felt when palpating. If a little more time has passed, however, this dent is usually lost again and a swelling (hematoma) forms, which can be very massive. In addition, there is usually a bruise, the severity of which, however, is very variable.
Read more on the subject below: Bruise on the thigh
As soon as possible after a muscle fiber tear, it should be treated in order to facilitate rapid healing and to reduce the risk of complications. As with almost all sports injuries, you should follow the PECH principle:
- P for pause
- E for ice
- C like Compressio and
- H for elevation.
If this early treatment of the muscle fiber tear takes place, the muscle fiber tear usually heals by itself within a few days without consequences. However, if pain and / or swelling persists for several days, a doctor should definitely be consulted.
Following a torn muscle fiber, the leg should not be completely immobilized if possible. The rule of thumb is that any movement that doesn't hurt isn't harmful to the muscles. Rapid mobilization promotes healing, but extreme loads should be avoided for about three to six weeks. Surgical intervention is only necessary in the rarest of cases, namely when more than a third of the muscle fibers are torn or there is massive bleeding.
To avoid torn muscle fibers, it is important to warm up the muscles well before doing sports (see warming up). Since one is particularly prone to injuries of this kind at the beginning of the sport, one should, as far as possible, not start directly with the most difficult exercises, but build up the training slowly.
The most common torn muscle fiber on the thigh is at the back of the biceps femoris muscle.
Pain in a torn hamstring in the thigh
A muscle fiber tear in the thigh is particularly common in winter when the muscles do not warm up properly despite warm-up training, but any wrong movement that exerts too much tension on the muscle fibers can lead to a muscle fiber tear in the thigh.
This is always associated with severe pain, as in addition to the muscles, nerves are also damaged, which then pass the information on to our brain.
In addition to the pain in the thigh after the muscle fiber tear, there is also bleeding and loss of sensitivity, which means that the patient can no longer properly feel the affected areas and can no longer move them properly. Pain, sensory disturbances and inability to move are reversible, so do not remain permanent. It helps to cool the affected area against the pain and also against the swelling that follows, pain killers are usually not necessary.
However, it is also possible that only a few muscle fibers tear. In this case, the patient has no pain, as the loss of muscle fibers is only slight and can be easily compensated by the body. However, if you experience thigh pain caused by a torn muscle fiber, it is important to keep the thigh still for at least 3 weeks so that the muscles can grow back together and the pain goes away.
Figure hamstring and muscle fiber
- Muscle fiber
of a skeletal muscle
Muscle fibra - Muscle fiber bundles -
Muscular Fasciculus - Tendon fibers -
Fibrae tendineae - Transition of muscle fibers
in tendon fibers -
Junctio myotendinea - Muscle fascia
(= Muscle skin) -
Fascia - Skeletal muscle -
Maecenas musculus osseus
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
- Muscle fiber
of a skeletal muscle
Muscle fibra - Muscle fiber bundles -
Muscular Fasciculus - Epimysium (light blue) -
Connective tissue sheaths around groups
of muscle fiber bundles - Perimysium (yellow) -
Connective tissue sheaths
around muscle fiber bundles - Endomysium (green) -
Connective tissue between muscle fibers - Myofibrils (= muscle fibrils)
- Sarcomere (myofibril segment)
- Myosin threads
- Actin threads
- artery
- vein
- Muscle fascia
(= Muscle skin) - Fascia - Transition of muscle fibers
in tendon fibers -
Junctio myotendinea - Skeletal muscle
- Tendon fibers -
Fibrae tendineae
You can find an overview of all Dr-Gumpert images at: medical illustrations
Diagnosis of a torn muscle fiber on the thigh
At the beginning of the diagnosis, even if a torn muscle fiber in the thigh is suspected, the patient is precisely questioned. The person concerned should concentrate on the following questions:
- What hurts and how does the pain feel?
- When did the pain occur?
- Could it be related to physical activity?
- If related, how was the leg moved?
Furthermore, the thigh should be examined closely. Above all, bruises provide information about possible injuries to the tissue. Swelling or reddening, as well as locally limited bumps or dents, are indications of a torn muscle fiber. Since the muscle is soft tissue, an ultrasound examination can be performed as a diagnostic measure that is harmless to the patient. In addition, an image can also be made using MRI if no defect can be detected by ultrasound, but the symptoms speak for the diagnosis.
Torn muscle fiber in the front thigh
The thigh contains various muscle groups, including the 4 muscles of the quadriceps muscle. These four muscles are located in the front of the thigh and are used when you contract (contraction) the extension (Extension) in the knee, which is why they are also called Extensors are designated. The four muscles are called Rectus femoris muscle, Vastus medialis muscle, intermedius et lateralis. However, all four muscles start at the front above the knee and form the so-called Patellar tendon. The quadriceps muscle therefore runs over the front of the entire thigh and can tear in this area, especially during exercise, and thus lead to a ruptured muscle fiber. Above all, movements in which the knee is jerkily stretched, such as when playing football or in various martial arts, when the leg has to be stretched against an object, can easily lead to muscle fiber tears in the front thigh, as the muscle fibers are tensed when the knee is stretched . If the tension is too jerky (contraction) it can lead to a torn muscle fiber in the front of the thigh.
While small muscle fiber tears, especially in the thigh, often go unnoticed due to the large muscle mass, larger muscle fiber tears can lead to enormous pain and are often caused by bleeding (Hematomas) in the area of the muscle fiber tear. If there is a torn muscle fiber in the front thigh, this is where severe pain occurs, which gets worse with stress. This occurs mainly when the knee is extended, as it puts pressure on the front thigh muscles (for example when walking or climbing stairs).
In addition, there may be discoloration on the front lower leg, which, in contrast to a simple bruise, is usually more blurred and also contains red dots, which indicates fresh bleeding, which can easily arise from a torn muscle fiber.
Depending on the severity of the muscle fiber tear, the patient may no longer be able to move the leg adequately. If there is a severe torn muscle fiber in the front thigh, the patient may well have difficulty straightening the knee and walking normally for a long time.
It is always important to detect a torn muscle fiber using ultrasound or magnetic resonance tomography (MRI) in order to avoid any complications. In most cases, however, a conversation with the patient and the clinical picture that he sees are sufficient for the doctor (Blood in the thigh, decreased strength development).
Read more on this topic at: Front thigh pain
Torn muscle fiber in the back of the thigh
The thigh is made up of numerous muscles as well as the longest bone in the human body, the femur (thigh bone). Seen from behind, the thigh has two important muscle groups: one of them is the biceps femoris muscle, which is two-headed around the ischium (Sciatic tuberosity) pulls to the outside of the knee as well as the two muscles semitendinosus and semimambranosus, which also pull from the ischial tuberosity to the inside of the knee. Both muscle groups supported by tension (contraction) of the respective muscles the flexion (Flexion) in the knee and also ensure a rotation in the knee.
A torn muscle fiber in the back of the thigh is less common, but it can still occur. Especially in sports in which the knee is constantly moving (for example tennis, soccer) and is constantly turned, can lead to a torn muscle fiber in the back of the thigh. This manifests itself in sudden severe pain in the back of the thigh.
If only some muscle fibers are torn, the patient can usually still move the leg fairly well, but the patient may also have difficulties moving the leg adequately. In addition to the pain, there is also bleeding, which differs from a simple bruise, as it is also reddish in color and is rather blurred.
The bleeding is also located on the back of the thigh and may also swell.
Usually there are no torn muscle fibers in either muscle group in the back of the thigh. If the patient has performed too much internal rotation of the knee, muscle fiber tears usually occur in the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles, as these are responsible for the internal rotation of the knee. If the external rotation is too strong, as can happen quickly in soccer, for example, the muscle fiber of the biceps femoris muscle tears, as this is responsible for the external rotation in the knee.
Often, the pain and / or bulges can be used to identify which muscle fibers in the back of the thigh are torn. If there is more pain in the area of the inner rear thigh, the semimembranosus and semitendinosus muscles are affected. If the patient is more likely to feel pain in the outer rear thigh, the biceps femoris muscle is usually affected.
Read more on this topic at: Back thigh pain
Torn muscle fiber on the inside of the thigh
A torn muscle fiber on the inside of the thigh occurs mainly in athletes who adopt a clumsy leg posture and thus strain the muscles on the inner thigh. In the area of the inner thigh there is the so-called adductor group, which consists of several muscles, all of which originate in the area of the pubic bone and pull from here towards the knee and are therefore on the inner side of the thigh. This muscle group is responsible for moving the leg back from the extended position (for example after a tackle) to the body.
A torn muscle fiber on the inside of the thigh is particularly common in ballet dancers, figure skaters or football players, as these often overload the thigh muscles. A torn muscle fiber in the inner thigh leads to severe pain and swelling in this area, possibly also bleeding (Hematomas). As with all other torn muscle fibers, the patient should keep the leg still and cool enough to support the healing process.
Read more about this here: Torn muscle fibers of the adductors
Treatment of a torn thigh muscle
A torn muscle fiber in the thigh occurs quite often, especially in athletes. It is associated with pain and bleeding, and the patient is usually unable to move the thigh properly or only with pain for some time. It is now important not to overload the thigh.
In general, it can be said that the muscles in particular have great self-healing powers and an operation is only necessary in very rare and severe cases. It is almost always sufficient if the patient spares the leg long enough and under no circumstances puts pressure on it under excessive pain. For some time it is therefore recommended to walk on crutches so as not to unnecessarily strain the muscles in the thigh after a muscle fiber tear.
In addition, the thighs can be cooled in the acute phase to treat torn muscle fibers, which primarily relieves pain and also ensures reduced blood flow in the vessels, which means that no more blood can escape from the injured vessels. If the pain is very severe, the patient can also receive an analgesic ointment for treatment. Decongestant ointments or tape (see below) can be used to treat torn hamstrings. After three days, the muscle should have regenerated well enough and ultrasound therapy can be carried out, which promotes blood circulation and loosens muscle areas that may stick together. In addition, there is a loosening of the thigh muscles.
Read more on this topic at: Therapy of a torn muscle fiber or a thigh bandage.
Tape torn hamstring on the thigh
A torn muscle fiber in the thigh mainly affects athletes, preferably in the cold winter months. A torn muscle fiber should always be cooled and immobilized.
Healing can, however, be supported by taping the torn muscle fiber in the thigh. It is important not only to get a good medical tape, but also to get it from a professional (Ideally, a sports medicine specialist or orthopedic surgeon with appropriate training), otherwise the tape will not work.
Patients who have a muscle fiber tear taped in the thigh achieve faster and more targeted healing of the tear. However, the tape does not serve as a free ticket to continue doing sports despite the torn muscle fiber.
With the taping technique, an inelastic tape is used and stuck along the torn muscle fiber. With this technique, the tape can, to a certain extent, take over the function of the torn muscle fibers in the thigh. Since the muscles grow together much faster and more specifically through taping, a long break in sport can be avoided, which is particularly important for fitness athletes.
Nevertheless, a torn muscle fiber should be cured, since a faulty confluence of the muscle fibers with too early training only leads to a new muscle fiber tear more quickly.
You can read more information about this here: Taping of torn muscle fibers
Duration of the muscle fiber tear in the thigh
The duration of a torn muscle fiber in the thigh depends on both the severity of the injury and the course of the healing process.
Sufficient protection of the muscles is essential for all muscle fiber tears and, with conscientious disease behavior, often leads to rapid pain relief. Above all, various precautions should be taken to limit damage immediately after the time of injury. Above all, this includes cooling the affected muscle area.
By making the tissue cold, the formation of bruises is reduced, which has a positive effect on the future healing process. The injured muscle also does not swell as much, which has an impact on the pain sensation. Even if the duration varies widely and can differ from person to person, a healing process of 3 to 12 weeks is usually assumed.
Due to the size of the thigh muscle and its strain in almost every everyday movement, this duration appears to be very long. However, it must be noted that such a muscle needs a particularly long time to heal to its old level of performance. The healing time does not include deterioration in the condition caused by returning to physical activity too early. The exact duration of the immobilization and the sports break should in any case be determined by a sports doctor and checked during the course.
In order to keep the body fit, leg-independent training can be completed. However, it is essential to ensure that the thighs are constantly relieved of pressure. Exercises for the arms and shoulders can be performed under certain circumstances, whereas complex back exercises, chest and abdominal muscle training often also work the thighs in some way. Therefore, the latter should definitely be avoided so that the healing phase is not unnecessarily prolonged.
Sports break with a torn thigh muscle
A torn muscle fiber in the thigh is not uncommon, especially among athletes. A quick sprint, a jerky movement or a too short warm-up training in the cold winter months can very quickly lead to a torn muscle fiber in the thigh. This is not only associated with pain, but also requires a longer break from sport afterwards, as the muscle fiber tear damages small parts of the muscle that now have to reorganize in order to be fully functional again.
How long the break lasts after a hamstring tear in the thigh depends entirely on the severity of the tear. Very small muscle fiber tears are sometimes not noticed at all, so no break is necessary. However, if pain occurs due to a torn muscle fiber in the thigh, this should be cured with a break of about 3-12 weeks. How long the break is exactly should be clarified by a doctor, preferably a specially trained sports medicine specialist.
This pause should be strictly observed, but can often be shortened somewhat with the help of tapes (see above). But here, too, it is important not to end the break after a torn muscle fiber in the thigh, but to always consult the doctor in charge beforehand. If you start training too early, the muscle has not yet healed adequately and it is easier for new muscle fiber tears to occur, which are then associated with a longer break.
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