The hamstring is made up of a group of three muscles that are found on the back side of the upper portion of your leg, known as the thigh. A hamstring injury can occur in any one of these three muscles, or any combination of the muscles. Hamstring injuries typically happen while participating in sports that involve sudden or sharp stop and start movements, as well as quick changes in direction. Common sports where participants experience hamstring injuries include soccer, football, basketball, and tennis. Runners and dancers also have a higher likelihood of hamstring injuries due to the increased strain and extreme stretching pressure placed on the muscles. The risks of developing a hamstring injury can also increase if you don’t properly warm up prior to exercising, have previously injured the muscle, have poor flexibility, or if you have an imbalance in the muscles from the front of your thigh, to the quadriceps, and the hamstrings. The specialists at The Orthopedic Group can diagnose a hamstring injury and provide you with treatment recommendations to help ease the pain and prevent future injuries.