Non-surgical management of proximal hamstring injury in an olympic judo gold medalist: a case report
DOI:
https://doi.org/10.47197/retos.v78.118425Keywords:
Conservative therapy, RecRecovery timeovery time, Olympic sports medicine, Judo, Proximal hamstring rupture, Partial adductor ruptureAbstract
Objectives: To describe the clinical outcomes of conservative treatment in a high-level judo athlete with a proximal hamstring rupture and partial adductor rupture.
Methods: This case report study evaluated a 32-year-old Olympic judo champion who sustained a proximal hamstring rupture and partial adductor tear five months before the Paris 2024 Olympics. MRI confirmed the diagnosis six days post-injury. Hamstring strength asymmetry was assessed using the ActivForce2 dynamometer (pre-test) and the Biodex system (post-test). A three-phase conservative rehabilitation protocol was implemented over three weeks, combining soft-tissue therapies, progressive strength training, and sport-specific drills.
Results: Hamstring strength asymmetry decreased from 78.7% (day 6 post-injury) to 21.9-29.7% post-treatment. MRI demonstrated 70-80% structural recovery with reduced inflammation and improved tissue integrity. Agonist-antagonist ratios were bilaterally comparable and increased with angular velocity (62% to 79%). The athlete returned to international competition without reinjury, maintaining Olympic qualification and top-8 seeding.
Conclusion: Conservative management reduced limb asymmetry, improved judo performance, and enabled an unrestricted return to full training and elite-level competition in this high-level judo athlete, supporting its consideration as a viable initial treatment approach for proximal hamstring ruptures. While this case demonstrates excellent clinical and functional recovery, the persistent risk of reinjury highlights the need for rigorous long-term monitoring and individualized rehabilitation protocols.
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