Intramuscular tendon injury is not associated with an increased hamstring reinjury rate within 12 months after return to play.

Background: Acute hamstring injury that includes intramuscular tendon injury has been suggested to be associated with increased reinjury risk. These observations were based on a relatively small number of retrospectively analysed cases.

Objective: To determine whether intramuscular tendon injury is associated with higher reinjury rates in acute hamstring injury.

Can a Clinical Examination Demonstrate Intramuscular Tendon Involvement in Acute Hamstring Injuries?

Background: Involvement of the intramuscular (central) tendon in acute hamstring injuries, as detected on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI), may prolong recovery times. To date, it is unclear whether hamstring injuries exhibiting intramuscular tendon involvement can be identified though routine clinical examinations that assess flexibility and strength.

Purpose: To test whether MRI-detected intramuscular tendon involvement could be identified by a clinical assessment of muscle strength and flexibility.

Strength Measurements in Acute Hamstring Injuries: Intertester Reliability and Prognostic Value of Handheld Dynamometry.

Study Design Cohort study, repeated measures. Background Although hamstring strength measurements are used for assessing prognosis and monitoring recovery after hamstring injury, their actual clinical relevance has not been established. Handheld dynamometry (HHD) is a commonly used method of measuring muscle strength.

Rationale, secondary outcome scores and 1-year follow-up of a randomised trial of platelet-rich plasma injections in acute hamstring muscle injury: the Dutch Hamstring Injection Therapy study.

Background: Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) injections are an experimental treatment for acute muscle injuries. We examined whether PRP injections would accelerate return to play after hamstring injury. The methods and the primary outcome measure were published in the New England Journal of Medicine (NEJM) as 'Platelet-rich plasma injections in acute muscle injury' (2014).

No association between fibrosis on magnetic resonance imaging at return to play and hamstring reinjury risk.

Background: Connective tissue scar (fibrosis) is a common finding on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) after recovery from acute hamstring injuries. Fibrosis has been suggested as a predisposing factor for reinjury, but evidence from clinical studies is lacking.

Purpose/hypothesis: The aim of this study was to examine the association between the presence of fibrosis on MRI at return to play after an acute hamstring injury and the risk of reinjury.

Magnetic resonance imaging in acute hamstring injury: can we provide a return to play prognosis?

Background: Sports physicians are increasingly requested to perform magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of acute hamstring muscle injuries and to provide a prognosis of the time to return to play (RTP) on the basis of their findings.

Objectives: To systematically review the literature on the prognostic value of MRI findings for time to RTP in acute hamstring muscle injuries.

Data Sources: The databases of PubMed, EMBASE, CINAHL, Web of Science and Cochrane Library were searched in June 2013.

Shinguards effective in preventing lower leg injuries in football: Population-based trend analyses over 25 years.

Objectives: The majority of football injuries are caused by trauma to the lower extremities. Shinguards are considered an important measure in preventing lower leg impact abrasions, contusions and fractures. Given these benefits, Fédération Internationale de Football Association introduced the shinguard law in 1990, which made wearing shinguards during matches mandatory.

Myotoxicity of injections for acute muscle injuries: a systematic review.

Background: Injection therapies are widely used for muscle injuries. As there is only limited evidence of their efficacy, physicians should be aware of the potential harmful effects of these injected preparations.

Objectives: The purpose of this review was to systematically review the literature on the myotoxic effects of intramuscular injection preparations commonly used for acute muscle injuries.

MRI observations at return to play of clinically recovered hamstring injuries.

Background: Previous studies have shown that MRI of fresh hamstring injuries have diagnostic and prognostic value. The clinical relevance of MRI at return to play (RTP) has not been clarified yet. The aim of this study is to describe MRI findings of clinically recovered hamstring injuries in amateur, elite and professional athletes that were cleared for RTP.

Reliability of the active and passive knee extension test in acute hamstring injuries.

Background: Hamstring flexibility measurements are of clinical relevance for the prognosis of hamstring injury and for monitoring recovery after such injury. The active knee extension test (AKET) and passive knee extension test (PKET) are proven to be reliable in healthy subjects. Reliability has not been determined in patients with acute hamstring injuries.

Therapeutic interventions for acute hamstring injuries: a systematic review.

Background: Despite the high rate of hamstring injuries, there is no consensus on their management, with a large number of different interventions being used. Recently several new injection therapies have been introduced.

Objective: To systematically review the literature on the effectiveness of therapeutic interventions for acute hamstring injuries.