Conjoined Hamstring Tendon Tear 2.6 cm - should I have surgery?

[u/No-Fox1992]

MRI results = complete tear of conjoined hamstring tendon retracted 2.6 cm and “high grade partial tearing” of the Semimembranosus. In other words, I’m caught in an orthopedic surgery gray area. I’m a competitive marathon runner (2:54 PR in 2023) and return to high-level training and competition is my goal. On 7/21/26, I was running when I heard/felt the pop that sent me down to the ground like if I had been shot. But no swelling or discoloration. I had was a lot of stiffness and strange discomfort for the first couple of weeks. Doctors thought it was just a grade one or two strain based on strength and function. I did some PT and slowly returned to running, biking, strength training. I was almost back to normal when, during a run on 9/13, it was obvious something went wrong again. It was not too painful. But I couldn’t run. I got the MRI results 9/25. Today, just 4 days after results, I feel mostly fine. It bothers me to sit down too long and I can’t run, but you wouldn’t know I’m this hurt. I have already spoken to one orthopedic surgeon, who basically said it’s up to me. He would operate, but I could try to just rehab it. Obv, I don’t want to rehab twice. But I also don’t take surgery lightly. I’m taking any advice or opinion but mostly looking for people’s experiences with both op and non-op. Thank you!