High hamstring tendinopathy in 3 female long distance runners

Area of Science:

• Sports Medicine
• Chiropractic
• Rehabilitation Science

Background:

• High hamstring tendinopathy is a common cause of proximal hamstring pain in runners.
• Aggravating factors include increased mileage, hills, and interval training.
• Associated findings can include hip abductor weakness, pelvic dysfunction, and lumbar issues.

Purpose of the Study:

• To describe the clinical presentation, diagnosis, and management of high hamstring tendinopathy in three female long-distance runners.
• To evaluate the effectiveness of conservative chiropractic treatment and active rehabilitation.

Main Methods:

• Case report of three female long-distance runners with proximal hamstring pain.
• Chiropractic assessment including hip abductor strength, pelvic and lumbar function, and hamstring flexibility.
• Treatment included Graston technique, lumbopelvic manipulation, electrical muscle stimulation with ultrasound, and a tailored active exercise program.

Main Results:

• All three patients experienced resolution of hamstring pain within an average of 13 treatments.
• Patients were able to resume running and competition without restrictions.
• Conservative management led to significant improvement in symptoms and function.

Conclusions:

• Runners with high hamstring tendinopathy can achieve favorable outcomes with conservative chiropractic care and active rehabilitation.
• Minimal time off from training is often required for recovery.
• A multimodal approach addressing biomechanical factors and muscle function is beneficial.