Prevention of hamstring injuries in a professional football club: using a multi-discipline sports medicine team approach.

Members of the sports medicine team for League 2 side Morecambe FC explain their approach to the prevention and treatment of hamstring injuries. They stress the importance of determining the possible underlying causes especially pelvic alignment and muscle imbalance with a subsequent effect on the sciatic nerve and its influence in the kinetic chain and the effects of differing playing surfaces. The importance of hydration and rest in maintaining maximal muscle function is stressed whilst acknowledging that the evidence base for most interventions is limited. In particular video gait analysis and measurement of possible leg length discrepancies are discussed with the prescription of orthotics if necessary. A more holistic approach is taken with the addition of an oriental medicine practitioner. Together this multi-disciplinary approach has substantially reduced the incidence of hamstring injury at the club. [ABSTRACT FROM AUTHOR]