CASE SCENARIO

Hamstring injuries are the most prevalent in elite football and the biceps femoris long head (BFlh) the most frequently injured muscle.¹ Injury to the BFlh typically occurs during high-speed running (HSR) as the muscle undergoes high strain. Despite its important contribution to force production during the late swing phase of maximal speed running, injuries to the semimembranosus (SM) are less frequent, and tend to occur in slow stretch type activities.^{2 3} This type of injury may also involve a degree of retraction of the proximal free tendon, which may warrant surgical intervention.³

In this article, we outline the management and return to sport (RTS) of an English Premier League (EPL) footballer who suffered a high-grade SM proximal free tendon tear (figure 1). The injury occurred during training as he overstretched stepping over the ball. Surgical repair was required, and 18 weeks post-injury, the player returned to team training. Two and a half year’s post RTS, he is playing regularly in the EPL without re-injury. There are few case reports in the literature describing the rehabilitation and RTS of elite footballers in detail and none following this type of hamstring injury. We share the player’s pre-injury and RTS running loads, strength and power (S&P) diagnostic data, on- and off-pitch physical preparation, and the clinical reasoning and considerations involved in the decision-making process.

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Figure 1

Overview of the return to sport (RTS) of an elite male football player following semimembranosus free tendon reconstruction. Early rehabilitation is divided into two phases: physiotherapy care (Weeks 1–7) and transition into gym-based physical preparation (Weeks 8–12) including isometrics (ISO), dynamic strength (DYN) and jump-landing preparation (J-L Prep) and progression from stationary bike to anti-gravity treadmill running (A-GR) (Alter-G, Fremont, CA, USA). Return to participation phase (Weeks 13–17); on-pitch sports-specific reconditioning using the ‘control–chaos continuum’ (weeks displayed on-pitch) plus progression (+) of gym-based physical preparation; ISO+, DYN+ and J-L Prep+. RTS decision=return to team training (Weeks 18–20; return to train) and continued progressive optimal loading with reduced volume (sets) of ISO+, DYN+ and J-L Prep+. Arrows indicate timepoints of isometric posterior chain (IPC), eccentric knee flexor (ENF) and countermovement jump (CMJ) assessments. Data from these strength and power diagnostic tests, quantifying neuromuscular deficits relative to his healthy preseason (PS) values, and his response to on- and off-pitch reconditioning, informed exercise and phase progression decisions.

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Figure 2

MRI throughout the return to sport process. Green arrows indicated key prognostic features. (A) 24 hours post-injury: (1) semimembranosus (SM) free tendon laxity and muscle retraction, (2) longitudinal split tearing at SM tendon origin. (B) 7 weeks post-surgery: (1) normal SM tendon/myotendinous junction tension, (2) maturing granulation tissue in SM tendon repair site. (C) 11 weeks post-surgery: (1) segmental tendon thickening and restoration of tension, (2) intratendinous maturing fibrous scar tissue. (D) 17 weeks post-surgery: (1) continued maturation of scar tissue throughout the site of surgical repair of the free proximal extra muscular portion of the SM tendon, (2) long segment of tendon repair shows relatively uniform low signal intensity scarring and maintains normal tension throughout the extra muscular portion and the proximal intramuscular portions of the tendon.

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Figure 3

Isometric posterior chain (IPC) test performed using a portable force platform at 1000 Hz (PS-2141, Pasco, Roseville, CA, USA) with proprietary software (ForceDecks, Vald Performance, Brisbane, Australia). Test performed with the player lying supine position, the heel of the testing limb placed on the force platform resting on a firm plinth with the testing angle set at 90° hip and knee flexion using a goniometer (Physio Parts, Twickenham, UK) and the non-testing limb relaxed and fully extended. The player was instructed to push the heel of the testing limb into the force platform exerting as much force as fast as possible while keeping the buttocks, hips and head on the mat and hands crossed on chest. External pressure was applied to the non-tested pelvis/hip to prevent hip extension. The player was familiar with the test, but standardised instructions were given before the assessment, a verbal command of ‘3, 2, 1 GO’ countdown before the initiation of a maximal effort contraction which was held for 3 s during which consistent verbal encouragement was given ‘PUSH, PUSH, PUSH, RELAX’. Three maximal voluntary contractions were performed with 10 s rest between repetitions.

DECISION-MAKING PROCESS LEADING TO SURGERY

As the post-injury MRI revealed a retracted tear (figure 2A and table 1), an orthopaedic surgeon recommended an operative approach over the conservative option which was deemed to present a greater risk of re-injury, extending RTS and potentially placing the player’s career in jeopardy. Progressing with a conservative approach would have increased the formation of scar tissue and resulted in a loss of tension within the SM. This would be expected to have profound consequences for an elite footballer, in terms of the decreased ability to generate force, power and run at high-speeds, and potential increased risk of injury to other hamstring musculature due to compensatory demands. Furthermore, delaying surgery or operating on a scarred tissue bed would increase the challenge of restoring anatomy.⁴

The procedure was undertaken under general anaesthesia (prone position). A longitudinal incision is necessary to access these tears, allowing tracking into the medial window between the hamstring and adductor compartments. The SM injury lies next to the sciatic nerve and the tendon tends to tear in a staggered way so there is one segment still connected to the membrane and muscle distally and one segment connected to the tendon insertion proximally. The two segments are identified, the sciatic nerve and its branches protected. The two tendon ends are re-approximated to the correct level of tension, assessed by restoring anatomy and held together with Ethibond non-dissolving sutures which hold in situ long enough for the tendon to heal. These are reinforced with Vicryl dissolvable sutures to regain the appropriate tendon length (restore pre-injury length) and to provide tensile strength. The repair is then tested by manual pressure and by applying stretch to the hamstring musculature.

MECHANICAL LOADING AND RTS

An MRI 7 weeks post-surgery, following early post-surgical physiotherapy management, showed a good healing response (table 1; figures 1 and 2B). Reconditioning then began under sports science supervision, with daily communication including pain response (numerical rating scale; NRS) and periodic checks of the player with the club physiotherapist (table 1). Submaximal isometrics (at 60–90° knee flexion) were introduced in Week 7 and a week later the player performed his first post-injury unilateral isometric posterior chain (IPC) test (figure 3).^{8 9} The IPC test was used to quantify the players’ ability (and willingness) to produce maximal force (IPC peak force', IPC-PF) and early rate of force development (RFD) (force at 100 ms).¹⁰ Week 8 interlimb asymmetry (ILA) in IPC-PF was 13% and in force at 100 ms was 7%. While the force at 100 ms ILA was low relative to that of IPC-PF, this should be considered in the context of the substantially larger magnitude declines in force at 100 ms than peak force on both limbs (figure 4). These data highlight both the importance of evaluating RFD-related variables following injury and of having healthy benchmark values to reduce the dependence on %ILA as a marker of status and progress.^{11 12}

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Figure 4

High-speed running, maximal speed exposure and posterior chain strength (isometric posterior chain (IPC) and eccentric knee flexor (ENF) during the return to sport after semimembranosus free tendon reconstruction. Session HSR (>5.5 ms^-1; dwell time 0.5 s) distance (m) represented by colour-coded bars (left y-axis) and relative values (fraction of pre-injury gameload) in the table. The % max speed (right y-axis) is % of pre-injury maximal speed (8.95 ms^-1) achieved within session, table shows absolute values. Global positioning systems; augmented 10 Hz Apex (StatSports, Belfast, UK). Absolute force (N, left y-axis) in Inv (involved limb) and Un-inv (uninvolved limb) at each assessment of unilateral IPC test (IPC-PF=peak force; IPC-F at 100 ms=force produced in first 100 ms of contraction) and in bilateral Nordic hamstring eccentric knee flexion (ENF; Avg-F=average force from 3 trials performed with 1 min rest between each). % ILA for each measure shown in the table. IPC values measured during 3 s maximal voluntary contraction performed in a supine position at 90° hip and knee flexion on a portable force platform at 1000 Hz (PS-2141, Pasco, Roseville, CA, USA) with proprietary software (ForceDecks, Vald Performance, Brisbane, Australia); bilateral Nordic hamstring ENF exercise using ‘NordBord^TM’ at 50 Hz (Vald Performance, Brisbane, Australia).

Exercise selection and programming was based on the optimal loading concept — to maximise physiological adaptation of the involved structures.¹³ Isometrics were the predominant mode of strength training during initial programming, with the conceptual aims of increasing tendon stiffness and enhancing maximal force development.^{14 15} Programming began with unilateral short-lever overcoming isometrics at 90° hip and knee flexion (figure 5; single-leg (SL) heel drives — knee dominant; online supplemental video 1) to bias medial hamstring recruitment.⁹ While this exercise remained key prior to gym-based rehabilitation sessions to ‘prime' the injury site, progression involved integrating long-lever yielding isometric variations such as double-leg isometric hip extension, followed by its SL derivative — hip dominant, with knee involvement as the hamstring is elongated (figure 5).¹⁶ We used >80% of maximal voluntary contraction — the threshold to stimulate the development of mechanical and material tendon properties¹⁷ and programmed in clusters (3–5×~3–5 s iso-holds), to develop maximal strength, RFD and strength-endurance.^{15 18 19} We delayed integrating high strain eccentric exercises in the initial 2 weeks of reconditioning to avoid excessive mechanical strain on the healing structures.²⁰ Furthermore, post-injury inhibition is reported during bilateral eccentric loading, potentially compromising adaptations,²¹ whereas maximal isometrics elicit higher voluntary muscle activation and lower inhibition.²²

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Figure 5

Optimal loading approach following semimembranosus free tendon reconstruction during the early rehabilitation phase onwards; gym-based physical preparation (Weeks 8–20). Running mechanics prior to anti-gravity treadmill running and implemented during on-pitch rehabilitation warm-ups. Dark grey=exercise, Light grey=exercise derivative. Strength (strain/stress) and (intermuscular emphasis)=dynamic strength training. w/=with, ↑=increase, ↓=decrease, ~=circa, > progression/onto. DB, dumbbell; early, early-stage; end, end-stage; GCT, ground contact-time; mid, mid-stage; Nb., note; reps=repetitions; RFD, rate of force development; ROM, range of motion; S-E, strength-endurance.; SL, single-leg.

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Figure 6

Return to chronic running loads following semimembranosus free tendon reconstruction using the ‘control–chaos continuum’ as a framework for return to sport. Tables show the player’s pre-injury ‘gameload’ running load metrics from season 2016/2017. Total distance (TD), high-speed running (HSR)=>5.5 ms^-1, explosive distance (Exp-D)=accelerating/decelerating from 2 ms to 4 ms^-1 <1 s, high metabolic load distance=distance above 25 w•kg^-1; HSR plus Exp-D). Gold box are absolute values. Light blue and dark blue boxes show relative (multiples of) gameload (ie, 2×=2 games worth) and absolute, mean and max training and concurrent (training plus game), respectively. Weekly absolute (left y-axis) and relative (right y-axis) TD, high metabolic load distance, HSR and Exp-D are shown for each week of on-pitch rehabilitation in graphs. Session rate of perceived exertion (session-RPE) (y-axis=arbitrary units) shows weekly accumulated session-RPE (training session duration (min)×RPE). % max speed=(maximum speed achieved in session/player’s pre-injury maximal speed (8.95 ms^-1)×100). Control–chaos continuum: Control; high influence on behaviour/actions/movement—controlled situations. Chaos; behaviour/actions/movement, unpredictable/random/reactive—chaotic situations. Green=high control, pale green=moderate control, yellow=control to chaos, orange=moderate chaos, red=high chaos and grey=return to team training (RTT). Global positioning systems; augmented 10 Hz Apex (StatSports, Belfast, UK).

With no pain reported (<2/10 NRS) following early isometric loading, we added dynamic strength exercises, coaching ‘intent’²³ to move as explosively as possible to develop power, with the conceptual goals of promoting collagen synthesis, fibre alignment and improving tendon-tensile strength.^24–26 We first introduced the heel elevated hip thrust (hip dominant, with the hamstrings acting isometrically to resist knee extension) and the split squat (hip and knee hybrid), subsequently progressed with external load, and increasing exercise complexity to provide additional challenges to the neuromuscular system (figure 5).¹³ A positive response to these explosively performed dynamic hip dominant exercises alongside progressive high-intensity isometrics may be apparent in the IPC response 2 weeks (Week 11) later. IPC force at 100 ms showed large increases in both limbs, although greater on the non-involved side, while improvements in IPC-PF were smaller but favoured the involved limb. High strain eccentrics were now introduced, and to emphasise bi-articular loading and medial hamstring recruitment, we selected the sliding leg curl (SLC),²⁷ later progressed to the SL derivative to increase involved limb overload (online supplemental video 2).²⁸ Slow-stretch shortening cycle (SSC) jump-landing activities were now added, to enhance the global athletic qualities of lower-limb stiffness, neuromuscular control and power.²⁹

PROGRESSING TO ON-PITCH REHABILITATION

At 12 weeks post-surgery, with 10% ILA in IPC-PF and follow-up MRI showing further positive healing response (table 1; figures 2C and 4), the player initiated 70% bodyweight anti-gravity treadmill running (AG-R), progressing to 90% bodyweight (completing three sessions during Week 12; 70%, 80% and 90% bodyweight) (online supplemental video 3). Prior to each AG-R session, the player performed a series of running mechanic drills including A-skips and straight-leg bounds to replicate the co-ordination demands and proximal-distal energy sequencing associated with running (figure 5).³⁰ These drills were also implemented within on-pitch warm-ups alongside drills to develop acceleration and deceleration qualities. At Week 12, IPC-PF ILA was <10%, IPC force at 100ms ILA was 14%, and to further inform clinical reasoning and decision-making at 13 weeks, we also assessed ENF strength, the player showing 11% ILA as well as ENF force substantially above threshold prospectively associated with elevated hamstring injury risk (figure 4).³¹ We considered that these data provided evidence to support our clinical judgement that the level of risk tolerance was above the level of risk exposure and did not warrant a delay in initiating the high control phase of the ‘control–chaos continuum’.³² The goal of this phase was to expose the player to submaximal running speeds (<60% pre-injury maximal speed) monitored using global positioning systems, promoting neuromuscular recovery in preparation for HSR³³ and to build player confidence in his return to on-pitch activities. The similar improvements in IPC-PF and IPC force at 100 ms in the involved limb between Weeks 13 and 14 (figure 4) suggested a positive response to the initial exposure to the return to running phase and lack of load involved limb avoidance in on-pitch activities. Consequently, in Week 14, we progressed to a low dose of ‘controlled’ HSR (within-session 0.30 gameload HSR) alongside the introduction of directional change load and technical skill integration (figures 4 and 6). Prior to beginning Week 3 of on-pitch reconditioning (Week 15 post-surgery), IPC %ILAs (in PF and force at 100 ms) were <10% and involved limb IPC-PF and ENF strength increases of ~15% since Week 13 (figure 3). This gave us confidence in implementing a progressive increment in ‘controlled’ HSR volume through aerobic power conditioning (online supplemental video 4) alongside more chaotic activities — phase-specific pass and move, and positional acceleration drills, in the transition to football-specific weekly periodisation.³² Off-pitch conditioning progressed (online supplemental videos 5 and 6), increasing movement velocity emphasis (online supplemental videos 7 and 8) (figure 5). Additionally, due to the stretch mechanism of the injury in which hip flexion combined with an inability to control knee extension, we considered the barbell split squat with forward lean a key exercise (online supplemental video 9),³⁴ progressed using external load and increasing exercise complexity (figure 4). Accommodating resistance was also added to the SL eccentric SLC to increase the speed and strain rate of eccentric loading^{7 25} while fast SSC plyometric activities were also integrated into the player's programming (online supplemental video 10) (figure 5). We took advantage of this period to integrate conditioning aimed at developing the capacity to rapidly decelerate the centre of mass and follow with rapid increases in concentric force, power,³² explosive and reactive qualities important to the player’s playing characteristics.

Our S&P diagnostic criterion for progression to the moderate chaos phase²⁹ was an IPC-PF and IPC force at 100 ms ILA <10% and stable outputs (lack of regression) in response to the control to chaos phase (figure 4). The transition to the moderate and high chaos phases is important as it exposes the player to substantially higher cumulative weekly HSR, and subsequently progressing to HSR loads reflecting game output, progressively higher maximal speed exposure, alongside positional requirements and technical skill components (figures 4 and 6; online supplemental videos 11 and 12).^{10 32} Pre-injury running load and HSR volumes used to plan running load targets were based on player outputs under the previous manager’s regime. However, we anticipated higher team training loads under the new regime and therefore aimed to return the player to his maximum cumulative training HSR volume to adequately prepare the player for these demands (figure 6). As an attacking midfielder, it was important to include additional shooting practice in the moderate and high chaos phases to mitigate injury risk associated with inadequate exposure to ball-striking (online supplemental video 13).³⁵ Based on a combination of objective injury-relevant S&P and training load data (figures 4 and 6), MRI results highlighting healing and maturation (figure 2D), the surgeons' positive opinion (table 1), and positive feedback/lack of pain reported by the player, we concluded that the players’ level of risk tolerance was above estimation of re-injury risk, and 18 weeks post-surgery, the player resumed team training. Furthermore, comparing the player’s countermovement jump profile to that of pre-injury suggested a positive response to the off- and on-pitch loading (figure 7). Notably, at Week 17 despite modest deficits in jump height (5%) and peak power (7%), relative to pre-injury, suggestive of performance decline secondary to the injury/deconditioning, there were substantial improvements in strategy/kinetic variables such as eccentric deceleration RFD (20%), concentric impulse-100 (8%) and lower limb stiffness (13%), indicative of improved SSC ability.^{11 36} Importantly, at this time point, the player had achieved 97% of pre-injury maximal speed (figures 4 and 6), without full recovery of aspects of neuromuscular performance, and several weeks remained before expected return to competition to further recover these.

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Figure 7

Player countermovement jump (CMJ) bilateral kinetics (A), force–velocity loops (B), bilateral kinetic variables (C), individual limb outputs and asymmetries (D) in preseason testing (pre-injury), and at two timepoints during rehabilitation: 13 weeks and 17 weeks post-surgery. See figure 1 for timing of tests relative to on- and off-pitch conditioning and phases. (A) Take-off phase force, velocity, power, (centre of mass) displacement–time profiles for a single jump at each timepoint—the jump trial with highest flight time:contraction time (FT:CT). Horizontal colour-coded lines show total contraction time (start of movement at 0 s to take-off). (B) Force–velocity loops are derived from same trial shown in (A). (C) Mean of three trials for selected bilateral CMJ variables; % change relative to pre-injury shown in graph, absolute values for same timepoints in table, and in grey mean (±SD) for first team (n=15 outfield players) in preseason assessments (same timepoint as player pre-injury). Decel=Deceleration, Dev=development, RFD=Rate of force development, Lower limb stiffness=(Eccentric peak force–Minimum eccentric force)/Eccentric displacement). CMJ bilateral variables=variables derived from the total vertical ground reaction force data (combined individual limb outputs during bilateral CMJ performed on dual force platforms). (D) Individual limb force and impulse absolute values (left y-axis) and % asymmetries (right y-axis) for selected take-off and landing variables. Light grey=involved, dark grey=uninvolved. Call-out box shows asymmetry (%); +ve=inv>uninv, −ve=uninv>inv. At each time point, three CMJs were performed on floor-embedded force platforms at 1000 Hz (FD4000, Vald Performance, Brisbane, Australia).

In the first week following return to team training (online supplemental video 14), within-session HSR increased (a 0.12 gameload increase from previous max rehabilitation session) while cumulative HSR was within his range of chronic weekly volume and other running load markers monitored across the playing squad (figure 6). Importantly, the player communicated that he felt the demands of team training were below that of rehabilitation (figure 6), suggesting he was adequately prepared to cope with a return. Within 2 weeks of his RTS, the player was the subject of a bid from another EPL team competing within the UEFA Champions League. Twenty weeks post-surgery and following 11 team training sessions, he passed a medical and a transfer was agreed.

SUMMARY

Following surgery and early care management, on- and off-pitch loading stimuli were progressively integrated with global positioning systems and S&P diagnostics used to quantify running load and monitor player neuromuscular status, respectively. This objective data, in conjunction with clinical experience from several sources and player feedback, informed decisions on phase and loading progression to raise the level of risk tolerance and ultimately facilitate a successful outcome for club and player.