Injury Insights: Medical Doctor Explains Aaron Gordon’s Recurrent Hamstring Injury
Aaron Gordon has suffered yet another hamstring injury (his third in the last nine months) and in this week’s Injury Insights, Dr. Joseph Ramos explains why that’s such a major concern. The hamstring isn’t just one muscle; it’s made up of three muscle bellies that originate in the pelvis, cross both the hip and knee joints and attach below the knee. Because it spans two joints and endures tremendous force in explosive movements like jumping and sprinting, a tear can be especially difficult to overcome. Dr. Ramos notes that recurrent hamstring injuries often signal lingering or even lifelong issues, particularly when the muscle is strained in the mid-belly region.
When it comes to recovery, there are limited options. Recurrent hamstring tears typically require longer rehabilitation timelines (often six to eight weeks at minimum) and with the playoffs approaching, that creates real uncertainty. If the tear is not complete, surgery is not usually indicated, leaving therapy as the primary treatment. While there is anecdotal discussion around PRP injections, Dr. Ramos emphasizes that eccentric strengthening exercises and time are the main path forward. Ultimately, mid-muscle hamstring injuries can be devastating and much of the healing process is simply outside the athlete’s control.
Key Insights
- Hamstrung Again: Aaron Gordon has suffered his third hamstring injury in nine months, raising serious concerns about recurrence and long-term durability.
- Triple Threat Trouble: The hamstring is made up of three muscle bellies that work together, making any strain more complex than a simple single-muscle injury.
- Two-Joint Jeopardy: Because the hamstring crosses both the hip and knee joints, it’s placed under enormous stress during explosive movements like sprinting and jumping.
- Mid-Belly Blues: Tears in the middle of the muscle belly are particularly difficult to treat and often linger longer than tendon-based injuries.
- Repeat Offender: Recurrent hamstring injuries frequently signal ongoing or even lifelong vulnerability, especially when the same area continues to re-tear.
- Playoff Clock Pressure: With a projected recovery of at least six to eight weeks, his availability for the postseason becomes increasingly uncertain.
- Therapy Over Surgery: If the tear is not complete, surgery typically isn’t an option, leaving physical therapy and eccentric strengthening as the primary path to recovery.
- Out of His Hands: Despite discussions around treatments like PRP, healing largely comes down to time and controlled rehab, much of which is beyond the athlete’s control.
