THE MANAGEMENT OF PROXIMAL HAMSTRING TENDINOPATHY IN A COMPETITIVE POWERLIFTER WITH HEAVY SLOW RESISTANCE TRAINING - A CASE REPORT.

BACKGROUND AND PURPOSE

Proximal hamstring tendinopathy is a chronic, overuse condition that commonly develops in athletes. Eccentric exercise has been widely accepted in the clinic as the treatment of choice for the management of tendinopathies. However, this form of treatment has seldom been compared to other forms of load-based management for hamstring tendinopathies. Heavy slow resistance training, which consists of both concentric and eccentric phases, increases the loading time experienced by the tendon compared to eccentric only exercises. Heavy slow resistance training has achieved positive clinical results in the management of Achilles and patellar tendinopathy.

PURPOSE

The purpose of this case report is to describe the outcomes of a powerlifter with proximal hamstring tendinopathy who responded favorably to a heavy slow resistance biased rehabilitation program after traditional, conservative management failed to alleviate symptoms.

CASE DESCRIPTION

A 31-year-old male competitive powerlifter was seen in physical therapy for the management of proximal hamstring tendinopathy. The subject had experienced long duration pain localized at the ischial tuberosity combined with hip weakness that limited his ability to lift weigtht and sit for longer than 30 minutes. Treatment included a 12-week heavy slow resistance program with the focus of increasing load intensity.

OUTCOMES

Numeric pain-rating scale was assessed at baseline, after a 12-week heavy slow resistance protocol, and 12 months post protocol. Within four weeks of starting the heavy slow resistance program, the subject noted a meaningful decrease in pain. The subject experienced clinically important improvements in numeric pain-rating scale immediately after the protocol and these improvements remained 12 months after completing the protocol. The subject was able to return to competitive powerlifting after the 12-week program.

DISCUSSION

A meaningful change in pain occurred within four weeks of starting the program and continued improvement throughout the remainder of the 12 weeks with outcomes maintained 12 months after completing the program suggests that increasing the loading strategy with a heavy slow resistance program was helpful for this subject.

LEVEL OF EVIDENCE