Pulled Hamstring, Groin Strain and Turf Toe: Common Sports Injuries and When to Get Seen

A pulled hamstring causes sudden pain in the back of the thigh, often while sprinting, sometimes with a pop. A groin strain hurts high on the inner thigh, often with quick side-to-side moves or kicking. Turf toe is a sprain at the base of the big toe from bending it too far back, common on artificial turf. Most mild strains heal in one to three weeks with rest, ice and a gradual return to activity. Severe pain, a large bruise, a gap in the muscle, or not being able to walk needs an exam.

Pulled hamstring

• Sudden sharp pain in the back of the thigh
• Sometimes a popping feeling
• Pain when walking, bending forward or straightening the leg
• Swelling and bruising that may spread down the leg

Groin strain

• Pain and tenderness on the inner thigh near the groin
• Pain when bringing the legs together or lifting the knee
• Common in soccer, hockey and football

Turf toe

• Pain, swelling and stiffness at the base of the big toe
• Pain when pushing off or bending the toe
• Often from jamming the toe or the foot being bent back while on the ball of the foot

What helps

• Rest from the activity that hurt it, but keep gently moving
• Ice for 15 to 20 minutes several times a day for the first two days
• Compression with an elastic wrap
• Elevation
• Pain relievers, if they're safe for you
• Stiff-soled shoes or taping for turf toe
• Gradual return: gentle stretching and strengthening as pain allows, then light jogging before sprinting or cutting

Recovery times

• Mild strain: one to three weeks
• Moderate strain: four to eight weeks
• Severe strain or tear: months, sometimes surgery

Going back too soon is the most common cause of re-injury.

What urgent care can do

A clinician can examine the injury, decide whether an X-ray is needed for turf toe or a possible avulsion fracture, and give you a recovery plan, crutches or a brace. Our posts on sprains, shin splints and broken toes and fingers cover other sports injuries, and we also do sports physicals.

At an AfterOurs clinic, a standard self-pay visit is $175, a visit with one moderate service such as an X-ray is $250, and a self-pay in-clinic visit never costs more than $330. We contract with all major commercial and government plans, including Colorado Medicaid and Medicare. See our sprains and strains page and the cost and insurance page.

Go to the ER if you can't bear any weight, there's a visible deformity, the leg or foot is numb, cold or pale, or a calf or thigh becomes very swollen, tight and painful, or warm and red with shortness of breath, which can be a blood clot.

Where to find us

Four clinics across metro Denver, all ages welcome, se habla español:

• Hampden (Southeast Denver): 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Littleton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Thornton: 8 AM–11 PM daily
• Highlands: Mon–Fri 5–11 PM, Sat–Sun 8 AM–11 PM

Walk in, or book online.