Proximal Hamstring Repair
Proximal Hamstring Tears
The hamstrings are a group of four muscles on the back of the thigh that originate on the pelvis and insert near the knee joint. They help to extend the hip and flex the knee, improving balance during standing, walking, and running. Tearing of a hamstring tendon can occur due to chronic overuse as in long-distance runners, or from an acute injury during sports such as weightlifting, water skiing, soccer, baseball, or gymnastics.
Chronic symptoms may indicate a partial-thickness tendon tear and may be initially treated with nonsurgical management including activity modification, physical therapy, or all natural regenerative medicine injections like Stem-Cell Therapy or Platelet-Rich Plasma (PRP). If conservative measures fail to yield optimal results, surgery may be indicated.
Acute proximal hamstring tears are often accompanied by history of a traumatic event such as a fall or sporting injury where a loud “pop” was felt in the buttock region. This injury leads to pronounced upper thigh bruising or swelling, which can lead to weakness, pain and even sciatica symptoms given the nerve proximity to the tendon tear. These symptoms include nerve irritation such as burning and shooting pain down the leg. When the proximal hamstring tendon is injured, early operative repair is important for optimal recovery in both nonathletes and athletes alike.
The expert clinicians at LALL Orthopedics+ will review your medical history, ask how you injured your hamstring muscles and the symptoms you are experiencing. They will conduct a comprehensive physical exam and use special tests to evaluate symptoms and range of motion. They will order x-rays to evaluate the bones and an MRI to view the extent of tendon tear.
Proximal hamstring repair is a surgical procedure used to treat a tear in the hamstring muscle. It is indicated when there are partial tears that fail to improve with nonsurgical treatment, and for complete acute tendon tears.
Our surgeons may perform the repair as a minimally invasive open surgery, or as an endoscopic procedure. Recent studies report that proximal hamstring repair is a viable option for active patients with acute or chronic tendon tears. The optimal surgical option is dependent on the type of injury with concomitant symptoms.
The mainstay of proximal hamstring repair involves placement of suture anchors into the ischial tuberosity (sit bone) of the pelvis and tying the torn tendon back to this bone. Preparation of a healing bone bed is paramount to achieving an accurate anatomic repair. Surgery is performed as a same-day outpatient procedure following by a focused physical therapy regiment which begins the day following the procedure.
When performed by expert surgeons at LALL Orthopedics+, proximal hamstring repair is a safe and effective procedure for treating a hamstring injury. The best results are achieved when surgery is performed within 1-2 weeks of injury.
Dr. Ajay C. Lall is a former dual sport NCAA collegiate athlete (football and track & field), American board certified, triple fellowship-trained expert orthopedic surgeon who specializes in hip arthroscopy and robotic hip replacement. He treats non-athletes and athletes at all levels of play from collegiate to professional to the Olympic level. Dr. Lall is a world-renowned orthopedic surgeon who cares for all patients like family. Contact LALL Orthopedics + to schedule a consultation, receive the correct diagnosis, and undergo state-of-the-art treatment options.
At a Glance
Ajay C. Lall, MD, MS, FAAOS
- Board Certified – Orthopedic Surgery
- Triple Fellowship Trained
- Performs over 750 Surgeries Per Year
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