Hamstring injuries refer to problems involving the group of three muscles at the back of your thigh — the biceps femoris, semitendinosus, and semimembranosus. These muscles play a crucial role in walking, running, and explosive movements like sprinting and jumping.

Hamstring injuries can present in several different forms:

1. Muscle Strains or Tears

These typically occur suddenly during high-speed running, kicking, or overstretching. You may feel a sharp pain, pulling sensation, or even a "pop," often requiring you to stop activity immediately.

Common in sports like football, rugby, athletics.

2. Hamstring Tendinopathy

This is a gradual onset condition that causes pain at the top of the hamstring, near the sitting bone (ischial tuberosity). It often worsens with running, prolonged sitting, or deep bending at the hip (e.g. deadlifts, lunges).

Often seen in distance runners, CrossFitters, or after under-rehabilitated strains.

3. Avulsion Injuries

More severe and less common, this is when the hamstring tendon pulls away from the bone — usually with a sudden, forceful movement. These injuries can sometimes require imaging and specialist referral.
More likely in adolescents or during high-load movements.

Each of these injuries requires a different management approach — so accurate assessment is essential.