So last year around this time I got high hamstring tendonitis in my left hamstring. I manged to fully recovery but it took 8 weeks or so of no running and slowly building my mileage back up. But now I have it in my left leg. I’m pretty sure it’s because I have tight hamstrings…I always have. So what should I do to stay on top of this going forward. I started strength training but I think the squats/deadlifts are making it worse.
Its interesting that you had this experience because mine was quite opposite. I developed it in April of 2018 on the left. I took 8 weeks off running, then started running in an Alter G, then on the road. I kind of fooled myself into thinking I was okay when I really wasn’t. I wasn’t getting worse but I wasn’t getting better. As a result I had my two worst Ironman results back to back. During my recovery I tried everything. Stretching, massage, chiropractic, active release, dry needling, anti-inflammatories…nothing seemed to work. I started doing some exercises that the PT and chiro would give me with stuff I found on the internet without much benefit. After the season I went back to doing some strength work and after resuming dead lifts I could tell a difference within a week. Now 13 months post injury I am finally 95% and almost back to my running level before the injury. For me deadlifts was the key (I hadn’t done them for about 2 years leading into the injury and through initial recovery)
Good luck. HHT is a nightmare
So last year around this time I got high hamstring tendonitis in my left hamstring. I manged to fully recovery but it took 8 weeks or so of no running and slowly building my mileage back up. But now I have it in my left leg. I’m pretty sure it’s because I have tight hamstrings…I always have. So what should I do to stay on top of this going forward. I started strength training but I think the squats/deadlifts are making it worse.
Ive also had HHT and it sucks. What’s interesting is my MRI showed similar tendon changes on both sides, but I was only have problems on the left. My right hamstring tendon has never bothered me. What’s significant about this is I am much tighter on the right than the left (hip and hamstring area). I’ve always had an easy time touching my toes on the left but more difficulty on the right. Of course, this is N=1 but it just goes to show how tightness in the hamstring and HHT can be unrelated.
I have the same problems. I’d give it more time with the strength training. I should also mention that I’m 42 and have been commuting in the car an hour each way for the past 12 years so I’m sure this doesn’t help!
Its interesting that you had this experience because mine was quite opposite. I developed it in April of 2018 on the left. I took 8 weeks off running, then started running in an Alter G, then on the road. I kind of fooled myself into thinking I was okay when I really wasn’t. I wasn’t getting worse but I wasn’t getting better. As a result I had my two worst Ironman results back to back. During my recovery I tried everything. Stretching, massage, chiropractic, active release, dry needling, anti-inflammatories…nothing seemed to work. I started doing some exercises that the PT and chiro would give me with stuff I found on the internet without much benefit. After the season I went back to doing some strength work and after resuming dead lifts I could tell a difference within a week. Now 13 months post injury I am finally 95% and almost back to my running level before the injury. For me deadlifts was the key (I hadn’t done them for about 2 years leading into the injury and through initial recovery)
Good luck. HHT is a nightmare
This sounds similar to me. None of the physio/chiro/massage/witchcraft stuff did anything for me. Getting to the gym and strengthening everything around the hamstring is what finally started to help.
deadlifts and other posterior chain movements
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deadlifts and other posterior chain movements
Bumping this thread as am having what I think is HHT. Can you elaborate on other good posterior chain movements?
many many thanks.
oh man, all those crazy drills the PTs think up.
Deadlifts, Russian deadlifts, nordic hamstring curls, bridges clenching glutes, etc.
Let me see if I can dig up my notes from my PT.
TBH I’m lazy and only eventually did deadlifts but that’s been enough for maintenance. The glute activation stuff is worth like 30sec/mi but it only lasts a few minutes 
Eric
deadlifts and other posterior chain movements
Bumping this thread as am having what I think is HHT. Can you elaborate on other good posterior chain movements?
many many thanks.
Cured mine with deep core stabilization (TVA exercises) and a few weeks of light easy running. Maintenance is deadlifts, single leg only, and not too heavy (45lb kettlebell).
Cured mine with deep core stabilization (TVA exercises)
Interesting. Any insight into why that worked?
Thanks.
Yes, mine seems to be due to weakness in hips and instability in my back. I think most people think HHT is because their hamstrings are tight, or weak, so they start deadlifting, squatting, hamstring curls, etc which just pisses it off more, and end up doing injections and other treatments seeking relief.
My PT had me do TVA tilts and contractions, once I got the the front side strong and engaged, HHT went (and has stayed away completely). I could definitely tell one side of my TVA fired very easily, but it took concentration to get the injured side going.
I do feel deadlifts, squats, etc have a place in building strength and flexibilty in hamstrings, but after the HHT has subsided. I make sure I have TVA and core engaged before doing any of these.
That’s helpful. I think my issue is weak glutes - L glute is definitely weaker than R. Hadn’t considered TVA so thank you so much.
Tendinopathy is a capacity vs load problem. One can start to look for ‘dysfunctions’ etc but it’s adjuncts to what you really need to do: develop capacity to handle load. When the tendon has been given too much load one needs to reduce that load and then build capacity within tolerable workloads. I’ve written a longer post about this specific tendinopathy, it’s been 2 years now but it’s still very useable. Much more so than blaming the glutes or abs or muscle ‘tightness’ etc.
Tendinopathy is a capacity vs load problem. One can start to look for ‘dysfunctions’ etc but it’s adjuncts to what you really need to do: develop capacity to handle load. When the tendon has been given too much load one needs to reduce that load and then build capacity within tolerable workloads. I’ve written a longer post about this specific tendinopathy, it’s been 2 years now but it’s still very useable. Much more so than blaming the glutes or abs or muscle ‘tightness’ etc.
https://forum.slowtwitch.com/...ost=6253105#p6253105
When Mortysct talks, ST should listen.
This guy is the real deal.