Accelerated rehabilitation results in good outcomes following acute repair of proximal hamstring ruptures

Abstract

Purpose

To assess outcomes of patients who underwent proximal hamstring repair utilizing an accelerated rehabilitation protocol with immediate weight bearing as tolerated and no bracing.

Methods

Retrospective chart review identified 47 proximal hamstring tendon repairs with suture anchors in 43 patients performed during 2008–2015. Rehabilitation included no immobilization or limited weightbearing. Patients were contacted by phone to assess outcomes utilizing the lower extremity functional score (LEFS), single-assessment numeric evaluation (SANE), and Marx activity scale. Overall patient-reported scores were calculated and results of acute and chronic repairs compared.

Results

Thirty-four patients (38 repairs, 80.8%) were available for follow-up at mean of 4.1 ± 2.0 years following repair. There were two re-tears: one complete rupture 5 weeks postoperative and one partial rupture 10 weeks postoperative in the chronic group. Patients in general reported low pain and good function with a mean LEFS score of 87 ± 21%, a mean SANE score of 88.1 ± 11.6, and a mean numeric pain score of 8.5 ± 15.3 in the last week and 12.2 ± 21.1 with activity. The acute repair group was noted to have a higher mean LEFS score (93.7 versus 79.8%, p = 0.004) and SANE score (91.3 versus 83.8, p = 0.047), and lower pain with activity (21.7 versus 4.8, p < 0.001) as compared to the chronic group.

Conclusions

Repair of acute proximal hamstring ruptures results in good function and pain relief with the use of a rehabilitation protocol that does not require weight-bearing restrictions or bracing.

Level of evidence

III, therapeutic.