ThermoHuman in the recovery process of an intramuscular tendon injury in professional football

At ThermoHuman, we continue to strengthen our commitment to scientific education and evidence-based practice. On this occasion, we are pleased to share a case study presented by expert Patrick Proller and published on Sportsmith, which offers a detailed look into the rehabilitation of a complex hamstring injury in professional football—and the role thermography played in it.

The article, titled “Rehabbing a pro footballer’s hamstring intramuscular tendon injury”, outlines the recovery of a professional footballer who sustained a BAMIC grade 2c injury to the intramuscular tendon of the biceps femoris. Through a multidisciplinary and data-driven approach, the player was able to return to competition in just four weeks—an unusually fast recovery for this type of injury.

Key insights from the case study:

• Accurate diagnosis and tailored planning: The combination of MRI and thermography allowed for precise assessment of the damage and its progression, distinguishing the injury from more superficial or muscle-based injuries and guiding rehabilitation decisions.
• Thermal analysis as a load management tool: Thermography detected a clear hypothermic pattern in the injured area (-0.82°C) in the initial phase, which gradually normalized throughout the recovery process. This objective data, alongside other metrics (force plate, isometric strength, velocity, etc.), helped calibrate daily workloads and inform return-to-play decisions.
• Structured and adaptive rehab phases: From initial tendon protection, to strength work with blood flow restriction (BFR), and finally a field-based reconditioning plan designed to minimize reinjury risk—the process was adjusted based on both clinical signs and thermographic feedback.
• Risk-informed decision making: Despite being a type of injury that often requires extended recovery, the medical and technical team, supported by objective data and in alignment with the athlete’s mindset and team context, opted for an accelerated rehabilitation strategy that proved successful.
• Post-return monitoring: Once the player returned to competition, performance metrics such as sprint speed and distance improved steadily. Continued thermographic monitoring supported real-time assessments of tissue recovery and helped manage the demands of a congested match schedule.

This case highlights how infrared thermography, when integrated within a structured and evidence-based framework, can become a key tool in managing complex injuries and supporting an earlier, safer return to play in professional sport.

We’d like to thank Patrick Proller and the Sportsmith team for sharing this insightful and practical example of objective, data-informed rehabilitation in elite football.

You can read the full article in English at the following link.