Quadriceps strain
What is it?
A quadriceps strain is a partial or complete tear in one of the quadriceps muscles.
The quadriceps are a group of four muscles at the front of your thigh. The main function of the quadriceps is to extend your leg at the knee.
Symptoms
When you strain your quadriceps, you will feel pain at the front of your thigh. Quadriceps strains differ in severity.
If the strain is minor the thigh area may be tender, becoming more painful when you contract the muscle. Often, following injury, you may not even notice it until the following day.
If the strain is more severe, the thigh area will be tender, and the pain will be much worse, either when bending or stretching your leg. The muscle may also be swollen.
Causes
Quadriceps strains usually happen when you suddenly contract your thigh muscles. This can happens during activities such as sprinting, jumping or kicking. Strain can also be caused by direct a direct blow to your thigh.
Treatment
A sports medicine professional, such as a physiotherapist or sports medicine doctor, can diagnose a quadriceps strain. Treatment depends on the severity of your injury.
After the injury, follow the PRICE procedure.
If your strain is severe and you are unable to support your weight, you may need crutches to help you walk. You may also need a compression bandage while your injury heals.
As the strain improves your sports medicine doctor or physiotherapist will work with you to improve function and strengthen your thigh. This will include regular gentle exercises to gradually increase the amount you can stretch. As your injury heals, you will be encouraged to start walking without the aid of crutches.
As the strain heals, you should be able to gradually return to doing sports. This may take between three and six weeks from injury.
Do
- Follow the exercises given to you by your doctor or physiotherapist.
- Stay fit by swimming and upper body training while the strain heals.
Don't
- Do any exercises that provoke your symptoms.
Peer reviewed by Peter Pope, MCSP, Bupa Sports Medicine physiotherapist
Publication date: June 2009
