Hamstringing

Hamstringing is a method of crippling a person or animal so that they cannot walk properly by severing the hamstring tendons in the thigh of the individual. It is used as a method of torture, or to incapacitate the victim.

Use

Hamstringing is used primarily to incapacitate a human or animal and render them incapable of effective movement. The severing of the hamstring muscles results not only in the crippling of the leg, but also in pain.[1]

Method

In humans, the hamstring extends between the hip and knee joints. The hamstring muscle group is made up of the biceps femoris, semitendinosus muscle, and the semimembranosus.[2] It facilitates both the flexing of the knee and hip extension,[3] making it a vital contributor to normal leg-movement. By severing these muscles or the tendons involved in this process, normal leg-movement is disrupted. In addition to sustaining massive bleeding, the injured leg becomes useless and the victim is rendered lame. The severing of the hamstring is usually accomplished through use of a blade such as a knife or sword.

Medical treatment

Due to a lack of research in the field of critical hamstring injuries, current injury-management practice is quite limited.[4] Management of the injury is based solely "on clinical experience, anecdotal evidence and the knowledge of the biological basis of tissue repair".[2] These injuries are difficult to control or repair, leading often to permanent injury or even death by blood loss.

Historical usage

Sources from late antiquity indicate that hamstringing was commonly used to incapacitate combatants, prisoners and runaway slaves.[5] The French Code Noir (1685) prescribed hamstringing as the punishment for slaves caught escaping for a second time.

Use as metaphor

Literally, to "hamstring" an individual is to sever the tissues of their hamstring. As a metaphor, to be "hamstrung" suggests being limited, by external imposition or not, in a way that prevents full freedom of movement or utilization of resources.[6]

Biblical reference

Rendering chariot-horses lame by hamstringing is mentioned in the Book of Joshua in the Bible (the King James Version uses the term "houghing",[7] from an old spelling of hock). In times of war, hamstringing an enemy's horses prevented the horses from being used in fighting.

References

1. Heiderscheit, Bryan C.; Sherry, Marc A.; Silder, Amy; Chumanov, Elizabeth S.; Thelen, Darryl G. (February 2010). "Hamstring Strain Injuries: Recommendations for Diagnosis, Rehabilitation and Injury Prevention". J Orthop Sports Phys Ther. 40 (2): 67–81. doi:10.2519/jospt.2010.3047. PMC 2867336. PMID 20118524.
2. Hoskins, Wayne; Pollard, Henry (2005). "Hamstring injury management—Part 2: Treatment". Manual Therapy. 10 (3): 180–190. doi:10.1016/j.math.2005.05.001. PMID 15993642.
3. Brughelli, Matt. (2011)
4. D'Alessandro, P; Wake, G; Annear, P (2012). "Hamstring pain and muscle strains following anterior cruciate ligament reconstruction: a prospective, randomized trial comparing hamstring graft harvest techniques". J Knee Surg. 26 (2): 139–44. doi:10.1055/s-0032-1324811. PMID 23288753.
5. Ammianus Marcellinus. "The Roman History of Ammianus Marcellinus".
6. "Online Etymology Dictionary". Etymonline.com. Retrieved 2014-08-04.
7. Book of Joshua, Chapter 11, Verse 9 (King James Version) - "And Joshua did unto them as the Lord bade him: he houghed their horses, and burnt their chariots with fire."