Hamstring Repair Surgery

Hamstring repair surgery is performed under general anaesthetic, meaning you’ll be asleep throughout the procedure.

Before surgery, your consultant will review your scans, explain the procedure in detail, and discuss the expected recovery process and any risks involved.

During the operation, your surgeon makes an incision near the buttock or upper thigh to access the torn tendon. The damaged tendon is then carefully reattached to the bone using strong surgical anchors or stitches.

In some cases, scar tissue or damaged tissue may also need to be removed. If the injury is older or more severe, the surgeon may use additional graft tissue to strengthen the repair.

The procedure usually takes between 1 and 2 hours, depending on the extent of the injury and how many tendons are affected.

Following surgery, your leg may be placed in a brace to help protect the repair while healing begins.

Not every hamstring injury requires surgery. Mild and moderate strains often improve with rest, physiotherapy, and rehabilitation.

Your consultant may recommend surgery if you have:

• complete hamstring tendon rupture

• multiple tendons torn away from the pelvis

• significant tendon retraction, where the tendon has pulled away from the bone

• persistent weakness or pain despite rehabilitation

• difficulty walking or returning to sport

• sciatic nerve irritation caused by the injury

Early assessment is important, as surgery is often easier and more effective when performed soon after the injury.

Hamstring repair surgery is considered safe and effective when performed by an experienced orthopaedic specialist. However, as with any operation, there are some risks and potential complications.

These can include:

• infection

• bleeding or bruising

• blood clots in the leg (deep vein thrombosis)

• stiffness or reduced flexibility

• continued weakness or pain

• damage to nearby nerves, including the sciatic nerve

• re-tearing of the tendon

• scar tissue formation

Rare complications can include ongoing numbness or persistent discomfort when sitting. Your consultant will explain your individual level of risk before surgery and answer any questions you may have.

Before your procedure, you’ll attend a pre-operative assessment to make sure you’re fit for surgery and anaesthetic.

Your consultant may advise you to:

• stop certain medications temporarily, such as blood thinners

• avoid eating and drinking for several hours before surgery

• arrange for someone to take you home after the procedure

• prepare your home for limited mobility during the first few weeks of recovery

You should also tell your consultant about any medical conditions, allergies, or previous surgeries.

If you smoke, stopping smoking before surgery may help improve healing and reduce the risk of complications.

Recovery from hamstring repair surgery takes time, and rehabilitation is an important part of achieving the best outcome.

Immediately after surgery, it’s normal to experience swelling, bruising, discomfort, and tightness in the back of the thigh. Your consultant will prescribe pain relief medication to help manage this.

Most patients go home on the same day, although some may stay overnight depending on the complexity of the surgery and their overall health.

During the early stages of recovery, you may need:

• crutches to reduce weight-bearing

• a knee brace to limit movement and protect the repair

• physiotherapy to gradually rebuild strength and flexibility

You’ll usually need to avoid stretching the hamstring excessively during the first few weeks.

Most people can return to desk-based work within 2 to 6 weeks, depending on comfort and mobility. Jobs involving physical activity may require a longer recovery period.

Driving is not usually recommended for several weeks after surgery. Your consultant will advise when it’s safe to drive again.

Recovery timelines vary, but many patients begin returning to light exercise after around 3 months. Returning to high-impact sport often takes between 6 and 9 months.

You’ll attend follow-up appointments with your consultant throughout your recovery so they can monitor your healing and rehabilitation progress.

Please contact our team for information on pricing and payment options.

At Welbeck, our orthopaedic consultants are experts in their field and are dedicated to providing world-class care to every patient.

With access to colleagues across other specialties, our consultants are also able to refer within the Welbeck ecosystem if required to ensure you receive the treatment you need as quickly as possible, all under one roof.

All appointments, testing, treatment, and follow-up appointments take place within our state-of-the-art facilities, enabling us to deliver accurate diagnostics and advanced treatments.

To book hamstring repair surgery, you must be referred by either your GP or an orthopaedic specialist following a consultation with them. Self-referrals are not accepted for this treatment.

If you would like to schedule a consultation with an orthopaedic specialist, please get in touch to make an appointment. Your health is important to us, so we strive to offer same-day appointments whenever possible.

Our consultants are recognised by the major health insurance companies. If you have private health insurance, your treatment at Welbeck can begin once you have obtained authorisation. We also provide care to self-paying patients. Learn more about the different payment options at Welbeck.