Upper Leg, Hamstring Pain
2010-01-21 – 2010-03-23
Grade: 4
Tore my hamstring.
Slipped on some ice while riding my commuter to Red Robin. Walked back and drove to work instead.
Didn't feel too bad. Then went on a scouting run that night for a Book Hunt. Didn't stretch. It was cold out. And did a lot of stopping and starting. Spent about 90 minutes running around campus.
Leg felt tight that night. I tried to stretch it out and heat it but this was only causing more damage and swelling (blood). Next morning I was in much more pain. I went to work but got to the point where I could no longer walk around. Katie took over my shift and I went home.
Went to the Emergency Room that night when pain became too much to bear. They told me what likely happened. Bones were ok though. Gave me some good pain medication which helped and got me to sleep.
I spent the next 2+ weeks on crutches and then two more after that with a cane. Not to mention this was a winter of record snow. Moving around outside was risky. And Katie lived on the 3rd floor of her building. I didn't do much moving around inside or out but did some as to not go crazy.
Went to a physical therapist. They gave me some excercise to keep my hip and leg muscles engaged and bring some back to life.
I iced a lot. Took lots of ibuprofen.
After I moved up to NOVA for my full time job I still wasn't running. I started swimming some and doing some pool running. This was a nice low impact way for me to get in some workouts and excercise. I also took advantage of the hot tub while there.
Bruise started turning yellow and eventually dissappeared. Definitely made sure the muscle was healed before starting run. Did some short easy runs to start out with and slowly increased.
Probably could have switched to heating to help get rid of blood but heating is what helped cause this whole mess. Be more careful with heating injuries. Ice for the first 24-48 hours and then start heating.