Tight Hamstring Syndrome Related Lumbar Disc Herniation and Its Rehabilitation Program to Two Case Reports

Tight hamstring syndrome (THS) is a symptom complex which has a varied pathogenesis. The syndrome usually occurs in childhood and adolescent period. It is characterized by tightness of lumbar, ischial and crural muscles.

Case Report 1: 17 year old male was complaining of low back and right leg pain which spread to the back right leg for last two month. He walking with limited forward flexion and right knee flexion. Stright leg raising test (SLRT) was leading to elevation of whole body like a board with painful and patient was suffering from pain when his legs was elevated to 30 degree. Popliteal angle of effected sign was 87 degrees. There was no weakness of lower extremity. MRI of lumbar spine showed L5-S1 right far lateral disc herniation. It was decided that patient’s diagnosis was THS depending on lumbar discopathy. Medical treatment, conventional physical therapy (15 session) and Mulligan traction straight leg raise technique (TSLR) were applied (9 session). After the treatment his complaints were better than the baseline and the results of examination was improved.

Case Report 2: 19 year old male was was complaining of left leg pain which spread to the back left leg last four month. SLRT was leading to elevation of whole body like a board with painful and patient was suffering from pain when his legs was elevated to 40 degree. He was standing and walking with limited forward flexion and increased flexion at left knee. it was also decided that patient’s diagnosis was THS depending on lumbar discopathy. Medical treatment, conventional physical therapy (15 session) and Mulligan TSLR technique were applied (9 session). After the therapy, his toe touching distance was 25 cm and SLRT was negative. Low back range of motion (ROM) was full.

Conclusion: As well as developing technologies and treatment approaches, we believe that early diagnosis of THS and its reason can prevent additional surgeries. Our cases which diagnosed THS related lumbar disc herniation improved with early intervention.