ORIGINAL ARTICLE

Surgical treatment of partial tears of the proximal origin of the hamstring muscles

L Lempainen^1,2, J Sarimo^2,3, J Heikkilä², K Mattila⁴, S Orava^2,3

¹ Department of Surgery, Satakunta Central Hospital, Pori, Finland
² Mehiläinen Sports Trauma Research Center, Mehiläinen Hospital and Sports Clinic, Turku, Finland
³ Paavo Nurmi Center, Turku
⁴ Department of Radiology, Turku University Hospital, Turku

Correspondence to:
Dr Lempainen
Department of Surgery, Satakunta Central Hospital, Sairaalantie 3, FI-28500 Pori, Finland; lasse.lempainen{at}utu.fi

Background: Hamstring injuries are common especially in athletes. Partial and complete tears of the proximal origin may cause pain and functional loss.

Objective: To evaluate the results of surgical treatment for partial proximal hamstring tears.

Methods: Between 1994 and 2005, 47 athletes (48 cases, 1 bilateral) with partial proximal hamstring tears were operated on. The cases were retrospectively analysed. Before surgery, 42 of the patients had undergone conservative treatment with unsatisfactory results, whereas in five patients the operation was performed within four weeks of the injury.

Results: The mean length of the follow up was 36 months (range 6–72). The result of the operation was rated excellent in 33 cases, good in nine, fair in four, and poor in two. Forty one patients were able to return to their former level of sport after an average of five months (range 1–12).

Conclusion: In most cases, excellent or good results can be expected after surgical repair of partial proximal hamstring tears even after conservative treatment has failed.

Keywords: hamstring; muscle; partial tear; surgical treatment; injury

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