BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has established its usefulness in diagnosing hamstring muscle strain and identifying features correlating with the duration of rehabilitation in athletes; however, data are currently lacking that may predict which imaging parameters may be predictive of a repeat strain. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify whether any MR imaging-identifiable parameters are predictive of athletes at risk of sustaining a recurrent hamstring strain in the same playing season. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Forty-one players of the Australian Football League who sustained a hamstring injury underwent MR examination within 3 days of injury between February and August 2002. The imaging parameters measured were the length of injury, cross-sectional area, the specific muscle involved, and the location of the injury within the muscle-tendon unit. Players who suffered a repeat injury during the same season were reimaged, and baseline and repeat injury measurements were compared. Comparison was also made between this group and those who sustained a single strain. RESULTS: Forty-one players sustained hamstring strains that were positive on MR imaging, with 31 injured once and 10 suffering a second injury. The mean length of hamstring muscle injury for the isolated group was 83.4 mm, compared with 98.7 mm for the reinjury group (P = .35). In the reinjury group, the second strain was also of greater length than the original (mean, 107.5 mm; P = .07). Ninety percent of players sustaining a repeat injury demonstrated an injury length greater than 60 mm, compared with only 58% in the single strain group (P = .01). Only 7% of players (1 of 14) with a strain <60 mm suffered a repeat injury. Of the 27 players sustaining a hamstring strain >60 mm, 33% (9 of 27) suffered a repeat injury. Of all the parameters assessed, only a history of anterior cruciate ligament sprain was a statistically significant predictor for suffering a second strain during the same season of competition. CONCLUSION: A history of anterior cruciate ligament injury was the only statistically significant risk factor for a recurrent hamstring strain in our study. Of the imaging parameters, the MR length of a strain had the strongest correlation association with a repeat hamstring strain and therefore may assist in identifying which athletes are more likely to suffer further reinjury.
BACKGROUND: Magnetic resonance (MR) imaging has established its usefulness in diagnosing hamstring muscle strain and identifying features correlating with the duration of rehabilitation in athletes; however, data are currently lacking that may predict which imaging parameters may be predictive of a repeat strain. PURPOSE: This study was conducted to identify whether any MR imaging-identifiable parameters are predictive of athletes at risk of sustaining a recurrent hamstring strain in the same playing season. STUDY DESIGN: Cohort study; Level of evidence, 3. METHODS: Forty-one players of the Australian Football League who sustained a hamstring injury underwent MR examination within 3 days of injury between February and August 2002. The imaging parameters measured were the length of injury, cross-sectional area, the specific muscle involved, and the location of the injury within the muscle-tendon unit. Players who suffered a repeat injury during the same season were reimaged, and baseline and repeat injury measurements were compared. Comparison was also made between this group and those who sustained a single strain. RESULTS: Forty-one players sustained hamstring strains that were positive on MR imaging, with 31 injured once and 10 suffering a second injury. The mean length of hamstring muscle injury for the isolated group was 83.4 mm, compared with 98.7 mm for the reinjury group (P = .35). In the reinjury group, the second strain was also of greater length than the original (mean, 107.5 mm; P = .07). Ninety percent of players sustaining a repeat injury demonstrated an injury length greater than 60 mm, compared with only 58% in the single strain group (P = .01). Only 7% of players (1 of 14) with a strain <60 mm suffered a repeat injury. Of the 27 players sustaining a hamstring strain >60 mm, 33% (9 of 27) suffered a repeat injury. Of all the parameters assessed, only a history of anterior cruciate ligament sprain was a statistically significant predictor for suffering a second strain during the same season of competition. CONCLUSION: A history of anterior cruciate ligament injury was the only statistically significant risk factor for a recurrent hamstring strain in our study. Of the imaging parameters, the MR length of a strain had the strongest correlation association with a repeat hamstring strain and therefore may assist in identifying which athletes are more likely to suffer further reinjury.
Authors: Anthony G Schache; Kay M Crossley; Ian G Macindoe; Brendan B Fahrner; Marcus G Pandy Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2010-08-10 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: Carl M Askling; George Koulouris; Tönu Saartok; Suzanne Werner; Thomas M Best Journal: Knee Surg Sports Traumatol Arthrosc Date: 2012-12-11 Impact factor: 4.342
Authors: Gustaaf Reurink; Elisabeth G Brilman; Robert-Jan de Vos; Mario Maas; Maarten H Moen; Adam Weir; Gert Jan Goudswaard; Johannes L Tol Journal: Sports Med Date: 2015-01 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: Joel D Presland; Ryan G Timmins; Nirav Maniar; Paul J Tofari; Dawson J Kidgell; Anthony J Shield; Jessica Dickson; David A Opar Journal: Sports Med Date: 2021-07-26 Impact factor: 11.136
Authors: Amy Silder; Marc A Sherry; Jennifer Sanfilippo; Michael J Tuite; Scott J Hetzel; Bryan C Heiderscheit Journal: J Orthop Sports Phys Ther Date: 2013-03-13 Impact factor: 4.751
Authors: Matthew N Bourne; Ryan G Timmins; David A Opar; Tania Pizzari; Joshua D Ruddy; Casey Sims; Morgan D Williams; Anthony J Shield Journal: Sports Med Date: 2018-02 Impact factor: 11.136