Pain in the Butt

Proximal Hamstring Tendinopathy (PHT)

‘‘Pain in the backside’’

What is PHT?

This injury is literally a pain in the backside. A tendinopathy occurs when there is a change in the structure of the tendon, usually due to overload. Pain is felt in the buttock, on the sitting bone. Usually the pain in gradual, developing over a number of weeks or months. This injury can occur in the athletic population, but also in then non-athletic, such a those ho have sitting job and drive regularly.

What causes PHT?

There can be a number of factor that cause this injury. With the athletic popluation, they include

• Hill running
• Increasing training loads too quickly
• Distance running
• Poor warm up
• Boimechanical problems

In my clinic I regularly see this injury with those that do prolonged sitting, either during work or while cycling.

What are the symptoms of PHT?

Symptoms include:

• Deep gluteal (bum) pain
• Tightness into the lower hamstring (back of thigh)
• Pain eases slightly on getting up from sitting

How is PHT diagnosed?

If you feel that you have these symptoms, book in with a Chartered Physiotherapist.

They will through a thorough subjective and objective assessment. They will algo through all the required tests to rule out other injuries and conditions.

How is PHT treated?

PHT is a condition that responds very well to Physiotherapy. Treatment includes soft tissue manipulation and dry needling. The main emphasis of the treatment will be exercises. These exercises will include isometric and eccentric exercises such as

• Isometric holds
• Hamstring curls on a gym ball
• Nordic curls

You Physiotherapist will also look at biomechanical issues that may have caused the injury.

Who can help you?

The Physiotherapists at APW can diagnose and treat PHT successfully and can help you get back moving pain-free.

Article by Paul Lennon (Chartered Physiotherapist)