Conditions we diagnose and treat

Hamstring Injury: Scans and Treatment in London

Available at LSRI Harley Street (W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London, Harrow (HA2 7SJ).

Hamstring injuries are among the most common muscle injuries in sport.

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GMC / FRCR Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist

The hamstrings are three muscles at the back of the thigh, and they can be strained or torn during sprinting, kicking, or a sudden stretch such as slipping into the splits. Injuries range from a mild strain of the muscle fibres to a tear where the tendon pulls away from the bone at the top of the thigh. Getting the right diagnosis early helps guide rehabilitation and identifies the less common injuries that need an urgent surgical opinion. At LSRI, Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, uses ultrasound and MRI to show exactly where the injury is and how severe it is.

Why choose LSRI

Consultant-led care from Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist with more than 20 years’ experience.
Diagnosis and ultrasound-guided treatment from the same specialist.
Two clinics: LSRI Harley Street (W1G 9QJ) and LSRI Northwest London in Harrow (HA2 7SJ).
No GP referral needed, and all major insurers accepted.
After Dr Sankaye has reported your scan, you can have a free 5-minute video consultation to go through the results.

Last medically reviewed by Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, on 2 October 2026.

Symptoms of hamstring injury

Sudden sharp pain at the back of the thigh during running or kicking.
A popping or tearing sensation at the time of injury.
Pain when walking, bending forward or straightening the knee.
Swelling and bruising at the back of the thigh, sometimes spreading towards the knee.
Weakness or tightness in the back of the leg.

If you felt a pop high up at the back of the thigh near the buttock, have significant bruising, find it hard to walk, or notice tingling or numbness down the leg, seek prompt assessment. A tendon that has pulled away from the bone (a proximal hamstring avulsion) needs an urgent surgical opinion, as repair is usually most successful when done early.

How we diagnose hamstring injury

Diagnosis starts with a clear account of how the injury happened and an examination of strength, flexibility and where you are tender.

Ultrasound is useful for looking at the muscle and the junction between muscle and tendon. It shows the location and size of a tear and any collection of blood.

MRI is the most detailed test for hamstring injuries. It grades the injury, shows how much of the muscle and tendon is involved and clearly shows whether the tendon has pulled away from the bone at the top of the thigh. This information helps plan rehabilitation and is important for a surgeon if repair is being considered. In younger athletes, or where a bony injury is suspected, an X-ray may also be useful.

What to expect at your appointment

Dr Sankaye reviews how the injury happened, your symptoms and any previous scans.
He scans your thigh with ultrasound, and arranges an MRI or X-ray if needed.
He explains the findings and discusses your options, including rehabilitation and whether a surgical opinion is needed.
If you decide to go ahead with an injection, it is done under ultrasound guidance.
You receive aftercare advice and a written report, which can be shared with your GP, physiotherapist, coach or surgeon.

Treatment options

Most hamstring strains are treated with rehabilitation:

Early protection: relative rest in the first days, avoiding painful stretching and sprinting, with gentle walking as comfort allows.
Progressive rehabilitation: a physiotherapist-guided programme that builds strength, particularly with the muscle working as it lengthens, then progresses to running, sprinting and sport-specific drills.
Graded return to sport: guided by strength, running ability and confidence rather than time alone, to reduce the chance of re-injury.

Options at LSRI include:

MSK specialist consultation: a review of your injury and scans, with a clear explanation of the grade and location of the injury, to help you and your physiotherapist plan rehabilitation.
PRP injection: platelet-rich plasma is sometimes used for acute hamstring tears, but the evidence is limited and it has not been clearly shown to speed return to sport.
Long-standing high hamstring pain: some people develop persistent tendon pain where the hamstrings attach near the sitting bone, often worse when sitting. This is usually treated with a loading programme, and in selected cases ultrasound-guided tendon procedures or a steroid injection around the tendon may be considered to ease pain.

Dr Sankaye can advise when a sports orthopaedic surgeon’s opinion is worthwhile. This is particularly important if the scan shows a tendon has pulled away from the bone.

Questions about hamstring injury

Do I need a scan for a hamstring strain?

Mild strains are often managed without a scan. A scan is helpful if the injury was severe, if you felt a pop high up near the buttock, if you are a competitive athlete needing a clear return-to-play plan, or if you are not improving as expected.

Ultrasound or MRI?

Ultrasound is quick and useful for many muscle injuries. MRI gives the most complete picture, particularly for injuries near the top of the thigh or where a tendon may have pulled away from the bone. Dr Sankaye can advise which is best for you.

How long will it take to get back to sport?

This depends on the grade and location of the injury. Injuries involving the tendon usually take longer than those in the muscle alone. Your scan and progress in rehabilitation help guide the timeline.

Why do hamstring injuries come back?

Returning to sport before strength and running ability have fully recovered is a common reason. A complete, progressive rehabilitation programme helps reduce the risk.

Our clinics

Two clinics, one team

Dr Prashant Sankaye, Consultant MSK Radiologist, sees patients at Harley Street in central London and at our Northwest London clinic in Harrow. Call one number to book at either clinic.