Hamstring Tendon Repair

What is Hamstring Tendon Repair?

Hamstring tendon repair is a surgical procedure where an orthopedic surgeon reconnects the hamstring tendons, which attach the large muscles at the back of your thigh to the ischial tuberosity (the sit bone in your pelvis), back to the bone.

• Ischial Bone Tunnel Repair: Threading heavy sutures through drilled tunnels in the ischial tuberosity (sit bone) to pull the retracted hamstring tendons back to place.
• Pelvic Suture Anchor Fixation: Driving biocomposite or metal suture anchors directly into the sit bone to fix the tendon securely to its anatomical footprint.

Your surgeon will evaluate your specific injury to determine which method is most appropriate for your recovery.

Who Should Have a Hamstring Tendon Repair?

Surgery is not always necessary for every injury; individuals with partial tears or single-tendon injuries can often recover without an operation. In these cases, a combination of rest, activity modification, and targeted physical therapy is usually sufficient. However, because complete 2- or 3-tendon ruptures retracted from the bone rarely heal properly on their own and can cause persistent pain, severe cramping, and functional weakness, most patients with complete proximal hamstring tears require tendon repair surgery to restore normal power and leg stability.

How Well Does Hamstring Tendon Repair Work?

The success rate for this procedure is high, with most patients regaining between 80% and 90%+ of their original hamstring strength and endurance. To track your progress, your surgeon will compare the strength and flexibility of the injured leg against your healthy leg, providing a clear benchmark for your recovery.

A critical factor in the outcome of the surgery is the timing and precision with which the surgeon reattaches and sets the tension of the repair, as repairing the tendon early (within a few weeks of injury) yields the best results. Because of this, it is highly recommended to partner with an experienced provider who performs these procedures frequently, such as the specialists at Fox Valley Orthopedics.

While some patients may experience temporary stiffness or mild sitting discomfort following surgery, these issues typically resolve as healing progresses. As with any surgical intervention, there are general risks including anesthesia complications, sciatic nerve irritation, blood clots, or infection. At Fox Valley Orthopedics, we pride ourselves on maintaining very low complication rates.

What Can I Expect When I Have a Hamstring Tendon Repair?

Depending on your medical history, you may be required to complete a pre-surgical physical to ensure all necessary health accommodations are in place. Upon arriving at the surgical facility, you will consult with your anesthesiologist and surgeon. Depending on your needs, you will receive either general anesthesia or regional anesthesia with sedation. During the procedure, you will be positioned face down to allow the surgeon full access to the crease under the buttocks. Depending on your overall health and the specifics of the case, you will typically be discharged the same day to recover at home.

Following surgery, your doctor will provide a plan for pain management and icing, which typically lasts about a week or two. To protect the surgical repair, your leg will be kept in a protective hinged hip/knee brace to limit hip flexion and knee extension, and you will use crutches with non-weight-bearing or toe-touch weight-bearing restrictions for approximately 6 weeks.

Once this initial healing phase is complete, you and your physical therapist will follow a guided rehabilitation plan designed to safely restore movement, hip mobility, and hamstring strength. The timeline for a full recovery and return to full activities or high-impact sports generally ranges from 6 to 9 months.