Hamstring muscle injuries - such as a "pulled hamstring" - occur frequently in athletes. They are especially common in athletes who participate in sports that require sprinting, such as track, soccer, and basketball.
A pulled hamstring or strain is an injury to one or more of the muscles at the back of the thigh. Most hamstring injuries respond well to simple, nonsurgical treatments. However, in chronic cases or patients with severe retraction surgery may be indicated.