## Overview Biceps femoris strain is an injury to one of the major hamstring muscles of the hind limb. The biceps femoris helps extend the hip and flex the stifle and is heavily loaded during explosive acceleration, hill work, and sudden stops. Strain ranges from mild fiber disruption to partial or complete tear and produces hind-limb lameness of variable severity. ## Causes Explosive work, racing, steep hill climbing, slipping, or unaccustomed exercise commonly overload the muscle. Fatigue, inadequate warm-up, and previous injury increase risk. Direct trauma is less common but can also produce tearing. ## Diagnosis Acute or subacute hind-limb lameness, heat and swelling over the lateral thigh, and pain on palpation of the muscle belly are typical. Ultrasound readily identifies fiber disruption, hematoma, or later fibrosis. Nuclear scintigraphy can help when the lesion is deep. ## Treatment Rest, cold therapy in the acute phase, and short-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs form the basis of care. Controlled walking is introduced once pain subsides, followed by progressive strengthening. Premature return to hard work frequently causes reinjury. ## Recovery and Prognosis Mild strains often resolve in a few weeks. Moderate to severe tears may require two to four months or longer. Prognosis is generally good with adequate rest, although some horses retain mild gait asymmetry or are prone to recurrence. ## Prevention Progressive conditioning, proper warm-up, and avoidance of sudden increases in speed or hill work reduce risk.
hindlimb lameness; swelling and heat over the lateral thigh; pain on palpation behind the stifle; shortened stride; reluctance to extend the hip
## Overview Biceps femoris strain is an injury to one of the major hamstring muscles of the hind limb. The biceps femoris helps extend the hip and flex the stifle and is heavily loaded during explosive acceleration, hill work, and sudden stops. Strain ranges from mild fiber disruption to partial or complete tear and produces hind-limb lameness of variable severity. ## Causes Explosive work, racing, steep hill climbing, slipping, or unaccustomed exercise commonly overload the muscle. Fatigue, inadequate warm-up, and previous injury increase risk. Direct trauma is less common but can also produce tearing. ## Diagnosis Acute or subacute hind-limb lameness, heat and swelling over the lateral thigh, and pain on palpation of the muscle belly are typical. Ultrasound readily identifies fiber disruption, hematoma, or later fibrosis. Nuclear scintigraphy can help when the lesion is deep. ## Treatment Rest, cold therapy in the acute phase, and short-term non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs form the basis of care. Controlled walking is introduced once pain subsides, followed by progressive strengthening. Premature return to hard work frequently causes reinjury. ## Recovery and Prognosis Mild strains often resolve in a few weeks. Moderate to severe tears may require two to four months or longer. Prognosis is generally good with adequate rest, although some horses retain mild gait asymmetry or are prone to recurrence. ## Prevention Progressive conditioning, proper warm-up, and avoidance of sudden increases in speed or hill work reduce risk.
hindlimb lameness; swelling and heat over the lateral thigh; pain on palpation behind the stifle; shortened stride; reluctance to extend the hip