Hamstring strains are notoriously common in high-speed sports like sprinting, football, and rugby. But no two strains are the same – which is why accurate, structured assessment is crucial from the get-go.
Whether it’s a mild twinge or a full-blown tear, a thorough evaluation helps physiotherapists determine the extent of damage, predict recovery timelines, and build a rehab plan that works. In this guide, we break down the step-by-step process top physio Scott Hulm uses to assess hamstring injuries – as seen in his popular Practical session.
Palpation – Pinpointing the Problem
Palpation isn’t just poking around. Done right, it reveals key information about injury location and severity.
Key Tips:
- Optimal positioning: Have the patient lie prone with a slightly flexed knee – this reduces hamstring tension and enhances palpation accuracy.
- Follow a flow: Start either proximally or distally, but stay consistent. Move systematically along the muscle belly and tendons.
- Feel for tenderness: Localised tenderness often correlates with the strain site and can indicate injury grade.
- Check for defects: A palpable gap in the muscle belly suggests a more severe strain – possibly requiring surgical input.
🎥 Watch Scott demonstrate his palpation technique in this short video from his Practical.
Mobility Testing – More Than Just Flexibility by Physiotherapists
Mobility assessments help identify limitations in range of motion and tissue response to movement – and they’re key to tracking rehab progress.
Mobility Tests to Include:
- Passive Straight Leg Raise (PSLR): Assesses hamstring length and pain. Use an inclinometer for accurate measurement.
- Max Hip Flexion Active Knee Extension (MHFAKE): Provides insight into both hamstring mobility and discomfort levels.
- Modified Thomas Test: Evaluates hamstring and hip flexor tightness in tandem.
- Bonus checks: Consider hip flexion and ankle dorsiflexion – while not direct causes, they may contribute to injury risk.
✅ Pro tip: Repeat mobility assessments regularly – mobility can lag behind strength even in late rehab stages.
Strength Testing – Beyond the Basics
Strength testing is central to both initial assessment and rehab tracking – but it needs to be multifaceted.
In-Clinic Testing Options:
- Hand-held dynamometer or force plates: Objectively measure strength and compare sides.
- Test both actions: Evaluate knee flexion and hip extension strength to cover all bases.
- Recurrent strain? Try the H-Test – the patient quickly flexes the hip in supine to gauge confidence and apprehension.
🏃 Need a fast on-field option? Scott shows a simple, effective sideline strength test in his Practical video.
🚨 Reminder: Strength often returns quickly – don’t rely on it alone to determine readiness for return to sport.
Hamstring Injury Assessment – Get to the Root, Not Just the Pain
Pulled your hamstring during a sprint, football match, or gym session? Don’t let it linger. At One Body LDN – London Bridge, our physiotherapists specialize in precision hamstring injury assessment to uncover the exact cause, severity, and best treatment plan – fast.
Why London Bridge Physios Are the Hamstring Heroes 🦵💥
London bridge physiotherapists expert team combines sports science know-how, hands-on clinical experience, and state-of-the-art diagnostics to assess your hamstring injury from every angle. Whether it’s a minor strain or something more serious, we’ll determine:
- 🔍 Which part of the hamstring is injured (biceps femoris, semitendinosus, or semimembranosus)
- 📏 Severity level (Grade 1, 2, or 3 tear)
- ⚠️ Underlying causes (biomechanics, muscle imbalances, posture)
- 📈 What’s needed to recover quickly and safely
Physiotherapists Trusted by Athletes, Loved by Locals
From runners and footballers to weekend warriors, we’ve helped thousands bounce back better. With ex-Team GB athletes and rehab pros on staff, we don’t just assess – we build a full recovery roadmap to get you stronger than before.
🚀 Same-day assessment slots available
🧠 Bespoke rehab plans
📲 Ongoing support via app-based routines
🧘 Risk-free guarantee on your first session
Bringing It All Together: A Holistic View of Hamstring Injuries
A structured assessment combining palpation, mobility testing, and strength evaluation provides a clear clinical picture and helps inform smarter, safer rehab plans.
Whether you’re working with weekend warriors or elite athletes, Scott Hulm’s approach ensures nothing gets missed – from subtle strains to severe tears.
📽️ Want to see this in action? Watch Scott’s full hamstring assessment Practical and elevate your clinical skills.
Where Pain Checks Out and Performance Checks In
London Bridge Physiotherapists (Feels Kinda Magic)
Tired of the same old stiffness, clicks, and aches? Whether it’s your desk job back acting up, post-race knees crying out, or a stubborn neck refusing to rotate – One Body LDN is where pain gets ghosted 👻 and movement gets mastered.
We’re not your average clinic. Our physiotherapists are ex-Team GB athletes, NHS experts, and rehab rockstars. Translation? We don’t just “assess.” We attack the problem and kickstart your comeback.
Why London Bridge Loves Us:
- Award-winning team with elite-level training
- Results-driven, hands-on treatment from day one
- Custom home plans sent to your phone – no fluff, no filler
- Located 8 mins from London Bridge Station inside the sleek Maltings Place
From weekend warriors to desk warriors – we’ve got your back. Literally.
Why One Body LDN Is the Best Physio in SE1 (And Beyond) 🚀
Real People, Real Fixes, Real Fast
Don’t just take our word for it. Triathletes, office workers, and gym lovers walk in sore and stiff… and walk out ready to sprint, squat, and strut.
Hear it from the healed:
- “Ran an Ironman pain-free after one month here.” – Mike R.
- “More shoulder range in one session than three at my last place.” – Nichole B.
- “Pain gone. Just like that.” – Ziyad C.
All the Reasons to Book (Right Now)
✅ Deep-tissue massage + advanced diagnostics
✅ Sports injury & office strain specialists
✅ Easy insurance claims (Bupa, AXA, Vitality & more)
✅ FREE assessments + a no-risk first session guarantee
Whether you’re in Borough, Bank, Tower Hill, or Rotherhithe, we’re your local physio hero.
So, book your session, stop scrolling, and let’s make pain a thing of the past. Read more. sprunki horror Endless Fun Awaits!
