Parents Troublesome Hamstring.

[Jen H.]

Not mine

It is my 9yo's hamstring that has been bothering her intermittently for the last 2-3 weeks.
She doesn't remember exactly when it happened, but it was at gym.
She is extremely flexible, which her coaches have said could have contributed to her straining it.

She will be fine one day, and then hobbling around the next. I haven't actually taken her to a Dr., but it is pretty apparent that it is indeed her hamstring. We have been icing, resting, and giving Motrin at home, and her coaches are aware of it at the gym and they have her on a modified program until it is better. I haven't taken her to a Dr. as I am pretty sure they will tell me to continue doing what we have been doing.

Based on your experiences as I am doubting if sending her to gym is the best idea, My question is this:
Is it better for her to take off and rest it completely for a week or so, or keep sending her to gym with her modified program?

The reason I am even asking this is because she is the kind of kid that will really push herself, and not realize that even though it isn't hurting at the moment, that any running or tumbling etc... will flare it up.

Any advice?
(TIA)

 

[BlairBob]

Take time off completely. I would not use any pain medication at all for it. Most retard the healing process. Try the application of gentle, moist heat instead of ice. Ice is appropriate directly after an injury and the next few days after to reduce swelling. Heat is inappropriate at that stage post immediate injury as it promotes healing through nutrient and blood flow.

 

[Esoteric]

As a mother, I would advise you to take her to the doctor regardless of whether or not they advise the same thing. If nothing else, this will instill in your daughter the importance of her health and proper functioning of her body. Hopefully it is just a hamstring issue, but if it is not, you will have serious regrets later. Better to be safe than sorry. Good luck.

 

[Jen H.]

Take time off completely. I would not use any pain medication at all for it. Most retard the healing process. Try the application of gentle, moist heat instead of ice. Ice is appropriate directly after an injury and the next few days after to reduce swelling. Heat is inappropriate at that stage post immediate injury as it promotes healing through nutrient and blood flow.

My gut has been saying this to me. Thank you.
It is hard sometimes to know the right thing to do. I trust her coaches very very much, but she is the only one of her that I got!

 

[Jen H.]

As a mother, I would advise you to take her to the doctor regardless of whether or not they advise the same thing. If nothing else, this will instill in your daughter the importance of her health and proper functioning of her body. Hopefully it is just a hamstring issue, but if it is not, you will have serious regrets later. Better to be safe than sorry. Good luck.

Thank you!
I know this, and should have taken her sooner, but was sort of "waiting and seeing".
I feel like a negligent POS Mother for not taking her sooner and asking about my Daughters health on a message board, but it was so intermittent that it was easy to put off.

Very good point about instilling the importance of her health!

 

[Kiwi]

My DD struggled with a hamstring injury for most of last year. I would recommend seeing a physiotherapist who understands gymnastics, especially if you can find one who was a gymnast. If not, then a specialised dance physiotherapist would also be good. My DD has also had a lot of benefit from seeing a St. John Neuromuscular Therapist.

 

[Deleted member D3987]

always get to a Doctor for this one. usually, it is not the hamstring although that is what everyone generally knows it as.

specifically, it will usually be up high on the pelvic bone. look for anatomy photos wherever you all look for these things. the connective "string" from the top of the hamstring to the pelvic bone is called the ischial tuberosity. it connects to the pelvic bone where it is called the ischium. the ischial tuberosity pulls down on the ischium and sometimes cracks it. this is very dangerous. a simple xray can usually rule out a fracture.

it is usually caused by ballistic stretching, over stretching and punching the board on vault. so then, always go to the Doctor on this one. what usually starts out high can/will progress higher up in that area.

for now, have her bend over in a pike position with straight legs. take your thumb and run it up her hamstring until you get to the pelvic bone. then press your thumb in to the bone. if she hurts there she must cease ALL stretching. and taking advil and such doesn't necessarily slow healing. the concern is that nsaids, tylenol, etc; could mask the pain causing your daughter to push beyond her threshold causing permanent damage. in some cases surgery is required and they must set a screw thru the fracture in order for it to heal completely.

 

[Jen H.]

GAH!!!!
Giving her a week off, and will get into see a Sports Medicine Dr. next week.
Thanks dunno.

As always I appreciate all the I learn here from those of you that have walked farther on this path than I.