Semin Musculoskelet Radiol 2010; 14(2): 131-161
DOI: 10.1055/s-0030-1253157
© Thieme Medical Publishers

Hamstring Injuries: Anatomy, Imaging, and Intervention

James M. Linklater1 , 2 , Bruce Hamilton3 , James Carmichael4 , John Orchard5 , David G. Wood4
  • 1School of Medicine, University of New South Wales, New South Wales, Australia
  • 2Castlereagh Sports Imaging, Crows Nest, New South Wales, Australia
  • 3ASPETAR, Qatar Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Hospital, Doha, Qatar
  • 4North Sydney Orthopaedic and Sports Medicine Centre, The Mater Clinic, Wollstonecraft, New South Wales, Australia
  • 5School of Public Health, University of Sydney, Sydney, New South Wales, Australia
Further Information

Publication History

Publication Date:
18 May 2010 (online)

ABSTRACT

Injury to the hamstring muscle complex (HMC) is extremely common in the athletic community. Anatomical and functional aspects of the HMC predispose it to injury, including the fact that the muscles cross two joints and undergo eccentric contraction during the gait cycle. Injury most commonly occurs at the muscle tendon junction but may occur anywhere between the origin and insertion. Complete hamstring avulsions require early surgical repair. The principal indication for imaging is in a triage role to rule out or confirm proximal hamstring avulsion. Acute onset and chronic posterior thigh and buttock pain may relate to pathology at the hamstring origin or muscle tendon junction that can be readily defined on magnetic resonance imaging or, less frequently, ultrasound. Some cases of buttock and thigh pain may relate to spinal pathology. In the elite athlete there is an increasing emphasis on optimizing the rehabilitation process after hamstring injury, to minimize the absence from sports and improve the final outcome. Imaging has a role in confirming the site of injury and characterizing its extent, providing some prognostic information and helping plan treatment. There is increasing interest in the use of growth factors to accelerate healing after muscle and tendon injury. Animal studies have demonstrated clear benefits in terms of accelerated healing. There are various methods of delivery of the growth factors, all involving the release of growth factors from platelets. These include plasma rich in platelets and autologous blood. Clinical studies in humans are very limited at this stage but are promising. At present the World Anti-Doping Authority bans the intramuscular administration of these agents. Other percutaneous injection therapies include the use of Actovegin and Traumeel S and antifibrotic agents.

REFERENCES

  • 1 Woodley S J, Mercer S R. Hamstring muscles: architecture and innervation.  Cells Tissues Organs. 2005;  179(3) 125-141
  • 2 Garrett Jr W E, Best T M. Anatomy, physiology, and mechanics of skeletal muscle. In: Simon SR Orthopedic Basic Science. Rosemont, IL; American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1994: 89-125
  • 3 Garrett Jr W E, Califf J C, Bassett III F H. Histochemical correlates of hamstring injuries.  Am J Sports Med. 1984;  12(2) 98-103
  • 4 Miller S L, Gill J, Webb G R. The proximal origin of the hamstrings and surrounding anatomy encountered during repair. A cadaveric study.  J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2007;  89(1) 44-48
  • 5 Williams P L, Bannister L H, Berry M H et al.. Gray's Anatomy. 38th ed. New York, NY; Churchill Livingstone 1995
  • 6 Lieber R L, Fridén J. Functional and clinical significance of skeletal muscle architecture.  Muscle Nerve. 2000;  23(11) 1647-1666
  • 7 Warren L F, Marshall J L. The supporting structures and layers on the medial side of the knee: an anatomical analysis.  J Bone Joint Surg Am. 1979;  61(1) 56-62
  • 8 Miller S L, Webb G R. The proximal origin of the hamstrings and surrounding anatomy encountered during repair. Surgical technique.  J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;  90(suppl 2 Pt 1) 108-116
  • 9 Koulouris G, Connell D. Hamstring muscle complex: an imaging review.  Radiographics. 2005;  25(3) 571-586
  • 10 Levangie P K, Norkin C C. Joint Structure and Function. A Comprehensive Analysis. 3rd ed. Philadelphia, PA; FA Davis 2001
  • 11 Terry G C, LaPrade R F. The biceps femoris muscle complex at the knee. Its anatomy and injury patterns associated with acute anterolateral-anteromedial rotatory instability.  Am J Sports Med. 1996;  24(1) 2-8
  • 12 Kubota J, Ono T, Araki M, Torii S, Okuwaki T, Fukubayashi T. Non-uniform changes in magnetic resonance measurements of the semitendinosus muscle following intensive eccentric exercise.  Eur J Appl Physiol. 2007;  101(6) 713-720
  • 13 Fleckenstein J L, Canby R C, Parkey R W, Peshock R M. Acute effects of exercise on MR imaging of skeletal muscle in normal volunteers.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 1988;  151(2) 231-237
  • 14 Jönhagen S, Németh G, Eriksson E. Hamstring injuries in sprinters. The role of concentric and eccentric hamstring muscle strength and flexibility.  Am J Sports Med. 1994;  22(2) 262-266
  • 15 Wood D G, Packham I, Trikha S P, Linklater J. Avulsion of the proximal hamstring origin.  J Bone Joint Surg Am. 2008;  90(11) 2365-2374
  • 16 Kirkendall D T, Garrett Jr W E. Clinical perspectives regarding eccentric muscle injury.  Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2002;  (403, suppl) S81-S89
  • 17 Taylor D C, Dalton Jr J D, Seaber A V, Garrett Jr W E. Experimental muscle strain injury. Early functional and structural deficits and the increased risk for reinjury.  Am J Sports Med. 1993;  21(2) 190-194
  • 18 Taylor M A, Norman T L, Clovis N B, Blaha J D. The response of rabbit patellar tendons after autologous blood injection.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2002;  34(1) 70-73
  • 19 Koulouris G, Connell D. Imaging of hamstring injuries: therapeutic implications.  Eur Radiol. 2006;  16(7) 1478-1487
  • 20 Clanton T O, Coupe K J. Hamstring strains in athletes: diagnosis and treatment.  J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 1998;  6(4) 237-248
  • 21 Stauber W T. Repair models and specific tissue responses in muscle injury. In: Leadbetter WB, Buckwalter JA, Gordon SL Sports Induced Inflammation: Clinical and Basic Science Concepts. Rosemont, IL; American Association of Orthopaedic Surgeons 1989: 205-213
  • 22 Thelen D G, Chumanov E S, Hoerth D M et al.. Hamstring muscle kinematics during treadmill sprinting.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;  37(1) 108-114
  • 23 Thelen D G, Chumanov E S, Best T M, Swanson S C, Heiderscheit B C. Simulation of biceps femoris musculotendon mechanics during the swing phase of sprinting.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 2005;  37(11) 1931-1938
  • 24 Orchard J. Biomechanics of muscle strain injury.  N Z J Sports Med. 2002;  30 90-96
  • 25 Andersen T E, Tenga A, Engebretsen L, Bahr R. Video analysis of injuries and incidents in Norwegian professional football.  Br J Sports Med. 2004;  38(5) 626-631
  • 26 De Smet A A, Best T M. MR imaging of the distribution and location of acute hamstring injuries in athletes.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2000;  174(2) 393-399
  • 27 Askling C M, Tengvar M, Saartok T, Thorstensson A. Acute first-time hamstring strains during slow-speed stretching: clinical, magnetic resonance imaging, and recovery characteristics.  Am J Sports Med. 2007;  35(10) 1716-1724
  • 28 Wilson G J, Elliott B C, Wood G A. Stretch shorten cycle performance enhancement through flexibility training.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1992;  24(1) 116-123
  • 29 Gabbe B J, Finch C F, Bennell K L, Wajswelner H. Risk factors for hamstring injuries in community level Australian football.  Br J Sports Med. 2005;  39(2) 106-110
  • 30 Orchard J, Marsden J, Lord S, Garlick D. Preseason hamstring muscle weakness associated with hamstring muscle injury in Australian footballers.  Am J Sports Med. 1997;  25(1) 81-85
  • 31 Yeung S S, Suen A M, Yeung E W. A prospective cohort study of hamstring injuries in competitive sprinters: preseason muscle imbalance as a possible risk factor.  Br J Sports Med. 2009;  43(8) 589-594
  • 32 Orchard J W. Intrinsic and extrinsic risk factors for muscle strains in Australian football.  Am J Sports Med. 2001;  29(3) 300-303
  • 33 Orchard J W, Farhart P, Leopold C. Lumbar spine region pathology and hamstring and calf injuries in athletes: is there a connection?.  Br J Sports Med. 2004;  38(4) 502-504; discussion 502–504
  • 34 Sallay P I, Friedman R L, Coogan P G, Garrett W E. Hamstring muscle injuries among water skiers. Functional outcome and prevention.  Am J Sports Med. 1996;  24(2) 130-136
  • 35 Sarimo J, Lempainen L, Mattila K, Orava S. Complete proximal hamstring avulsions: a series of 41 patients with operative treatment.  Am J Sports Med. 2008;  36(6) 1110-1115
  • 36 Davis K W. Imaging of the hamstrings.  Semin Musculoskelet Radiol. 2008;  12(1) 28-41
  • 37 Connell D A, Schneider-Kolsky M E, Hoving J L et al.. Longitudinal study comparing sonographic and MRI assessments of acute and healing hamstring injuries.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2004;  183(4) 975-984
  • 38 Koulouris G, Connell D. Evaluation of the hamstring muscle complex following acute injury.  Skeletal Radiol. 2003;  32(10) 582-589
  • 39 Gibbs N J, Cross T M, Cameron M, Houang M T. The accuracy of MRI in predicting recovery and recurrence of acute grade one hamstring muscle strains within the same season in Australian Rules football players.  J Sci Med Sport. 2004;  7(2) 248-258
  • 40 Lempainen L, Sarimo J, Mattila K, Heikkilä J, Orava S, Puddu G. Distal tears of the hamstring muscles: review of the literature and our results of surgical treatment.  Br J Sports Med. 2007;  41(2) 80-83, discussion 83
  • 41 Ferretti A, Conteduca F, Morelli F, Masi V. Regeneration of the semitendinosus tendon after its use in anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a histologic study of three cases.  Am J Sports Med. 2002;  30(2) 204-207
  • 42 Cross M J, Roger G, Kujawa P, Anderson I F. Regeneration of the semitendinosus and gracilis tendons following their transection for repair of the anterior cruciate ligament.  Am J Sports Med. 1992;  20(2) 221-223
  • 43 Simonian P T, Harrison S D, Cooley V J, Escabedo E M, Deneka D A, Larson R V. Assessment of morbidity of semitendinosus and gracilis tendon harvest for ACL reconstruction.  Am J Knee Surg. 1997;  10(2) 54-59
  • 44 Mbebi C, Hantaï D, Jandrot-Perrus M, Doyennette M A, Verdière-Sahuqué M. Protease nexin I expression is up-regulated in human skeletal muscle by injury-related factors.  J Cell Physiol. 1999;  179(3) 305-314
  • 45 Quintero A J, Wright V J, Fu F H, Huard J. Stem cells for the treatment of skeletal muscle injury.  Clin Sports Med. 2009;  28(1) 1-11
  • 46 Hammond J W, Hinton R Y, Curl L A, Muriel J M, Lovering R M. Use of autologous platelet-rich plasma to treat muscle strain injuries.  Am J Sports Med. 2009;  37(6) 1135-1142
  • 47 Best T M, Hunter K D. Muscle injury and repair.  Phys Med Rehabil Clin N Am. 2000;  11(2) 251-266
  • 48 Järvinen T A, Järvinen T L, Kääriäinen M, Kalimo H, Järvinen M. Muscle injuries: biology and treatment.  Am J Sports Med. 2005;  33(5) 745-764
  • 49 Wagers A J, Conboy I M. Cellular and molecular signatures of muscle regeneration: current concepts and controversies in adult myogenesis.  Cell. 2005;  122(5) 659-667
  • 50 Nikolaou P K, Macdonald B L, Glisson R R, Seaber A V, Garrett Jr W E. Biomechanical and histological evaluation of muscle after controlled strain injury.  Am J Sports Med. 1987;  15(1) 9-14
  • 51 Garrett Jr W E. Muscle strain injuries: clinical and basic aspects.  Med Sci Sports Exerc. 1990;  22(4) 436-443
  • 52 Kjaer M, Kalimo H, Saltin B. Skeletal muscle: physiology, training and repair after injury. In: Kjaer M, Krogsgaard M, Magnusson P et al Textbook of Sports Medicine. Oxford, United Kingdom; Blackwell Science 2003: 49-69
  • 53 Järvinen T A, Kääriäinen M, Järvinen M, Kalimo H. Muscle strain injuries.  Curr Opin Rheumatol. 2000;  12(2) 155-161
  • 54 Kääriäinen M, Kääriäinen J, Järvinen T L, Sievänen H, Kalimo H, Järvinen M. Correlation between biomechanical and structural changes during the regeneration of skeletal muscle after laceration injury.  J Orthop Res. 1998;  16(2) 197-206
  • 55 Silder A, Heiderscheit B C, Thelen D G, Enright T, Tuite M J. MR observations of long-term musculotendon remodeling following a hamstring strain injury.  Skeletal Radiol. 2008;  37(12) 1101-1109
  • 56 Lempainen L, Sarimo J, Mattila K, Vaittinen S, Orava S. Proximal hamstring tendinopathy: results of surgical management and histopathologic findings.  Am J Sports Med. 2009;  37(4) 727-734
  • 57 Migliorini S, Merlo M, Pricca P. The hamstring syndrome: clinical and diagnostic features, etiology, and surgical management.  J Sports Traumatol Rel Res. 2000;  22 86-92
  • 58 Bencardino J T, Mellado J M. Hamstring injuries of the hip.  Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2005;  13(4) 677-690, vi
  • 59 Dwek J R. The hip: MR imaging of uniquely pediatric disorders.  Magn Reson Imaging Clin N Am. 2009;  17(3) 509-520, vi
  • 60 Vandervliet E J, Vanhoenacker F M, Snoeckx A, Gielen J L, Van Dyck P, Parizel P M. Sports-related acute and chronic avulsion injuries in children and adolescents with special emphasis on tennis.  Br J Sports Med. 2007;  41(11) 827-831
  • 61 Warren P, Gabbe B J, Schneider-Kolsky M, Bennell K L. Clinical predictors of time to return to competition and of recurrence following hamstring strain in elite Australian footballers.  Br J Sports Med. 2008;  ,  August 14 (Epub ahead of print)
  • 62 Ekstrand J, Hagglund M, Walden M. Injury incidence and patterns in professional football—the UEFA Injury Study.  Br J Sports Med. 2009;  , June 23 (Epub ahead of print)
  • 63 Woods C, Hawkins R D, Maltby S, Hulse M, Thomas A, Hodson A. Football Association Medical Research Programme . The Football Association Medical Research Programme: an audit of injuries in professional football—analysis of hamstring injuries.  Br J Sports Med. 2004;  38(1) 36-41
  • 64 Orchard J, Seward H. AFL injury report 2003.  J Sci Med Sport. 2004;  7 264-265
  • 65 Orchard J, Seward H. AFL injury report 2002.  Sport Health.. 2003;  21 18-23
  • 66 Folsom G J, Larson C M. Surgical treatment of acute versus chronic complete proximal hamstring ruptures: results of a new allograft technique for chronic reconstructions.  Am J Sports Med. 2008;  36(1) 104-109
  • 67 Colosimo A J, Wyatt H M, Frank K A et al.. Hamstring avulsion injuries.  Oper Tech Sports Med. 2005;  13 80-88
  • 68 Slavotinek J P, Verrall G M, Fon G T. Hamstring injury in athletes: using MR imaging measurements to compare extent of muscle injury with amount of time lost from competition.  AJR Am J Roentgenol. 2002;  179(6) 1621-1628
  • 69 Armfield D R, Kim D H, Towers J D, Bradley J P, Robertson D D. Sports-related muscle injury in the lower extremity.  Clin Sports Med. 2006;  25(4) 803-842
  • 70 Miller T T. Common tendon and muscle injuries: lower extremity.  Ultrasound Clin. 2007;  2 595-615
  • 71 Lempainen L, Sarimo J, Heikkilä J, Mattila K, Orava S. Surgical treatment of partial tears of the proximal origin of the hamstring muscles.  Br J Sports Med. 2006;  40(8) 688-691
  • 72 Hernesman S C, Hoch A Z, Vetter C S, Young C C. Foot drop in a marathon runner from chronic complete hamstring tear.  Clin J Sport Med. 2003;  13(6) 365-368
  • 73 Brandser E A, el-Khoury G Y, Kathol M H, Callaghan J J, Tearse D S. Hamstring injuries: radiographic, conventional tomographic, CT, and MR imaging characteristics.  Radiology. 1995;  197(1) 257-262
  • 74 Koulouris G, Connell D A, Brukner P, Schneider-Kolsky M. Magnetic resonance imaging parameters for assessing risk of recurrent hamstring injuries in elite athletes.  Am J Sports Med. 2007;  35(9) 1500-1506
  • 75 Schneider-Kolsky M E, Hoving J L, Warren P, Connell D A. A comparison between clinical assessment and magnetic resonance imaging of acute hamstring injuries.  Am J Sports Med. 2006;  34(6) 1008-1015
  • 76 Verrall G M, Slavotinek J P, Barnes P G, Fon G T, Spriggins A J. Clinical risk factors for hamstring muscle strain injury: a prospective study with correlation of injury by magnetic resonance imaging.  Br J Sports Med. 2001;  35(6) 435-439, discussion 440
  • 77 Verrall G M, Slavotinek J P, Barnes P G, Fon G T. Diagnostic and prognostic value of clinical findings in 83 athletes with posterior thigh injury: comparison of clinical findings with magnetic resonance imaging documentation of hamstring muscle strain.  Am J Sports Med. 2003;  31(6) 969-973
  • 78 el-Noueam K I, Schweitzer M E, Bhatia M, Bartolozzi A R. The utility of contrast-enhanced MRI in diagnosis of muscle injuries occult to conventional MRI.  J Comput Assist Tomogr. 1997;  21(6) 965-968
  • 79 Orchard J, Best T M, Verrall G M. Return to play following muscle strains.  Clin J Sport Med. 2005;  15(6) 436-441
  • 80 Farber J M, Buckwalter K A. MR imaging in nonneoplastic muscle disorders of the lower extremity.  Radiol Clin North Am. 2002;  40(5) 1013-1031
  • 81 Sofka C M, Collins A J, Adler R S. Use of ultrasonographic guidance in interventional musculoskeletal procedures: a review from a single institution.  J Ultrasound Med. 2001;  20(1) 21-26
  • 82 Menetry J, Kasemkijwattana C, Day C S et al.. Growth factors improve muscle healing in vivo.  J Bone Joint Surg Br. 2000;  82 131-137
  • 83 Kurtz C A, Loebig T G, Anderson D D, DeMeo P J, Campbell P G. Insulin-like growth factor I accelerates functional recovery from Achilles tendon injury in a rat model.  Am J Sports Med. 1999;  27(3) 363-369
  • 84 Efthimiadou A, Asimakopoulos B, Nikolettos N et al.. Angiogenic effect of intramuscular administration of basic and acidic fibroblast growth factor on skeletal muscles and influence of exercise on muscle angiogenesis.  Br J Sports Med. 2006;  40(1) 35-39; discussion 35–39
  • 85 Marx R E. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP): what is PRP and what is not PRP?.  Implant Dent. 2001;  10(4) 225-228
  • 86 Ehrenfest D, Rasmusson L, Albrektsson T. Classification of platelet concentrates: from pure platelet-rich plasma (P-PRP) to leucocyte- and platelet-rich fibrin (L-PRF).  Trends Biotechnol. 2009;  27(3) 158-167
  • 87 Fufa D, Shealy B, Jacobson M, Kevy S, Murray M M. Activation of platelet-rich plasma using soluble type I collagen.  J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2008;  66(4) 684-690
  • 88 Borzini P, Mazzucco I. Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) and platelet derivatives for topical therapy. What is true from the biologic view point?.  ISBT Sci Series. 2007;  2(1) 272-281
  • 89 Creaney L, Hamilton B. Growth factor delivery methods in the management of sports injuries: the state of play.  Br J Sports Med. 2008;  42(5) 314-320
  • 90 El-Sharkawy H, Kantarci A, Deady J et al.. Platelet-rich plasma: growth factors and pro- and anti-inflammatory properties.  J Periodontol. 2007;  78(4) 661-669
  • 91 Schnabel L V, Mohammed H O, Miller B J et al.. Platelet rich plasma (PRP) enhances anabolic gene expression patterns in flexor digitorum superficialis tendons.  J Orthop Res. 2007;  25(2) 230-240
  • 92 Mishra A, Woodall Jr J, Vieira A. Treatment of tendon and muscle using platelet-rich plasma.  Clin Sports Med. 2009;  28(1) 113-125
  • 93 Marx R E. Platelet-rich plasma: evidence to support its use.  J Oral Maxillofac Surg. 2004;  62(4) 489-496
  • 94 de Mos M, van der Windt A E, Jahr H et al.. Can platelet-rich plasma enhance tendon repair? A cell culture study.  Am J Sports Med. 2008;  36(6) 1171-1178
  • 95 Anitua E, Sanchez M, Nurden A T et al.. Reciprocal actions of platelet-secreted TGF-beta1 on the production of VEGF and HGF by human tendon cells.  Plast Reconstr Surg. 2007;  119(3) 950-959
  • 96 Kasemkijwattana C, Menetrey J, Bosch P et al.. Use of growth factors to improve muscle healing after strain injury.  Clin Orthop Relat Res. 2000;  370(370) 272-285
  • 97 Shen W, Li Y, Zhu J, Schwendener R, Huard J. Interaction between macrophages, TGF-beta1, and the COX-2 pathway during the inflammatory phase of skeletal muscle healing after injury.  J Cell Physiol. 2008;  214(2) 405-412
  • 98 Mishra A, Pavelko T. Treatment of chronic elbow tendinosis with buffered platelet-rich plasma.  Am J Sports Med. 2006;  34(11) 1774-1778
  • 99 Sanchez M, Anitua E, Andia I. Application of autologous growth factors on skeletal muscle healing [abstract]. Paper presented at: 2nd World Congress on Regenerative Medicine; May 18–20, 2005; Leipzig, Germany Available at: http://www.harvesttech.com/pdf/Orthopedic-PRP/Sports%20Medicine/66-SanchezRegMed2005.pdf
  • 100 Sánchez M, Anitua E, Azofra J, Andía I, Padilla S, Mujika I. Comparison of surgically repaired Achilles tendon tears using platelet-rich fibrin matrices.  Am J Sports Med. 2007;  35(2) 245-251
  • 101 Arnoczky S P. The role of platelet-rich plasma in connective tissue repair.  Orthopedics Today. 2009;  29 26
  • 102 Hall M P, Band P A, Meislin R J, Jazrawi L M, Cardone D A. Platelet-rich plasma: current concepts and application in sports medicine.  J Am Acad Orthop Surg. 2009;  17(10) 602-608
  • 103 WADA .The World Anti-Doping Code: The Prohibited List 2010. International Standard. Montreal, Canada; World Anti-Doping Agency 2009
  • 104 Chan Y S, Li Y, Foster W, Fu F H, Huard J. The use of suramin, an antifibrotic agent, to improve muscle recovery after strain injury.  Am J Sports Med. 2005;  33(1) 43-51
  • 105 Shen W, Li Y, Tang Y, Cummins J, Huard J. NS-398, a cyclooxygenase-2-specific inhibitor, delays skeletal muscle healing by decreasing regeneration and promoting fibrosis.  Am J Pathol. 2005;  167(4) 1105-1117
  • 106 James S L, Ali K, Pocock C et al.. Ultrasound guided dry needling and autologous blood injection for patellar tendinosis.  Br J Sports Med. 2007;  41(8) 518-521; discussion 522
  • 107 Mihoc H. Treatment of inflammatory rheumatic diseases with Traumeel.  Biol Theory. 1986;  4 53-56
  • 108 Lussignoli S, Bertani S, Metelmann H, Bellavite P, Conforti A. Effect of Traumeel S, a homeopathic formulation, on blood-induced inflammation in rats.  Complement Ther Med. 1999;  7(4) 225-230
  • 109 Zenner S, Metelmann H. Application possibilities of Traumeel S injection solution: results of a multicentric drug monitoring trial conducted on 3,241 patients.  Biol Theory. 1992;  10(4) 301-310
  • 110 Bohmer D, Ambrus P. Treatment of sports injuries with Traumeel ointment: a controlled double-blind study with Traumeel ointment for treatment of sports injuries.  Biol Theory. 1992;  10(4) 290-300
  • 111 Mergen H. Therapy of posttraumatic swellings with Traumeel.  Biol Theory. 1992;  5(3) 64-65
  • 112 Casper J, Foerstel G. Traumeel in traumatic soft tissue swelling.  Biol Theory. 1986;  4 217-220
  • 113 Orchard J W, Best T M, Mueller-Wohlfahrt H W et al.. The early management of muscle strains in the elite athlete: best practice in a world with a limited evidence basis.  Br J Sports Med. 2008;  42(3) 158-159
  • 114 Pforringer W, Pfister A, Kuntz G. The treatment of Achilles paratendinitis: results of a double-blind, placebo-controlled study with a deproteinized hemodialysate.  Clin J Sport Med. 1994;  4(2) 92-99
  • 115 Pfister A, Koller W. Treatment of fresh muscle injury [in German].  Sportverletz Sportschaden. 1990;  4(1) 41-44
  • 116 Wright-Carpenter T, Klein P, Schaferhoff P et al.. Treatment of muscle injuries by local administration of autologous conditioned serum: a pilot study on sportsmen with muscle strains.  Int J Sports Med. 2004;  25 588-593
  • 117 Chan Y, Li Y, Foster W et al.. Antifibrotic effects of suramin in injured skeletal muscle after laceration.  J Appl Physiol. 2003;  95 771-780
  • 118 Negishi S, Li Y, Usas A et al.. The effect of Relaxin treatment on skeletal muscle injuries.  Am J Sports Med. 2005;  33 1816-1824
  • 119 Fukushima K, Badlani N, Usas A et al.. The use of an antifibrosis agent to improve muscle recovery after laceration.  Am J Sports Med. 2001;  29 394-402
  • 120 Bedair H, Karthikeyan T, Quintero A et al.. Angiotensin II receptor blockade administered after injury improves muscle regeneration and decreases fibrosis in normal skeletal muscle.  Am J Sports Med. 2008;  36 1548-1554
  • 121 Peng Z Z, Hu G Y, Shen H et al.. Fluorofenidone attenuates collagen I and transforming growth factor-beta1 expression through a nicotinamide adenine dinucleotide phosphate oxidase-dependent way in NRK-52E cells.  Nephrology (Carlton). 2009;  14(6) 565-572
  • 122 Paoloni J A, Milne C, Orchard J, Hamilton B. Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs in sports medicine: guidelines for practical but sensible use.  Br J Sports Med. 2009;  43(11) 863-865
  • 123 Toumi H, Best T M. The inflammatory response: friend or enemy for muscle injury?.  Br J Sports Med. 2003;  37 284-286
  • 124 Brickson S, Ji L L, Schell K, Olabisi R, St Pierre Schneider B, Best T M. M1/70 attenuates blood-borne neutrophil oxidants, activation, and myofiber damage following stretch injury.  J Appl Physiol. 2003;  95(3) 969-976
  • 125 Pizza F, Peterson J, Baas J et al.. Neutrophils contribute to muscle injury and impair its resolution after lengthening contractions in mice.  J Physiol. 2005;  562 899-913
  • 126 Beiner J M, Jokl P, Cholewicki J, Panjabi M M. The effect of anabolic steroids and corticosteroids on healing of muscle contusion injury.  Am J Sports Med. 1999;  27(1) 2-9
  • 127 Haraldsson B T, Langberg H, Aagaard P et al.. Corticosteroids reduce the tensile strength of isolated collagen fascicles.  Am J Sports Med. 2006;  34(12) 1992-1997
  • 128 Levine W N, Bergfeld J A, Tessendorf W, Moorman III C T. Intramuscular corticosteroid injection for hamstring injuries. A 13-year experience in the National Football League.  Am J Sports Med. 2000;  28(3) 297-300

James M LinklaterM.B.B.S. 

Castlereagh Sports Imaging

286 Pacific Hwy., Crows Nest, NSW 2065, Australia

Email: JamesLinklater@casimaging.com

    >