Quadriceps strain. Tear or forceful stretch of the muscle or tendon in a weight-bearing muscle like the quadriceps is painful with difficult to rest. The quadriceps are supporting the hip and knee to hold the weight of it. A quadriceps strain could be caused by a forceful contraction of the quadriceps or any stress placed on the muscles. There are three grades of strains, it is graded 1 through 3, with 3 being the most severe tear.
The rectus femoris is most commonly injured but Aa strain may occur in any of the quadriceps muscles. It can happen in activities such as jumping, sprinting, and weight training can cause micro-tears in the muscle. When the muscle is stretched forcefully under a load as in high-impact sports. Hockey and football could also pull away from the muscle-tendon junction or bony attachment or tear completely.
Cause of injury
Forceful stretch or contraction of the quadriceps.
Quadriceps strain signs and symptoms
Grade 1: Mildly tender with pain. Full muscular strength. Little or no swelling.
Grade 2: More tenderness and marked pain. Loss of strength. Swelling and possible bruising.
Grade 3 It is a full tear. Extreme pain. Unable to contract the muscle. Swelling, deformity and bruising.
Complications if left unattended
If left unattended grade 1 or 2 tears could continue to tear and become worse. A grade 3 tear could cause in loss of mobility and a severe loss of flexibility in the muscle.
Quadriceps strain immediate treatment
Follow the RICER regimen. Anti-inflammatory diet and medication. Heat and quadricep massage is very beneficial to promote blood flow and healing. Immobilization in severe cases.
Quadriceps strain rehabilitation and prevention
After the proper rest period, activities need to be resumed with caution. Avoid activities that could cause more pain. Strengthening and stretching of the quadriceps will be important. Ensuring a good balance of strength between the quadriceps and hamstrings is important to prevent any strain. Proper warm-up techniques have to be done to prevent strains and gradually increasing intensity will help as well.
Long-term prognosis
Quadriceps strains seldom result in long-term pain or disability. Only in rare cases, surgery is needed where a complete tear doesn’t respond to immobilization and rest.
Sports Massage for Quadriceps Strain in Watford
A quadriceps strain massage is focused on the quadriceps muscles located at the front of the leg. Quadriceps massage involves a range of different techniques that help, relieve pain, reduce muscle tightness and increase blood circulation. Quadriceps massage can relieve tension and stress within the muscles and can help a person being treated return to sports or exercise. Our sports massage therapist at Lucas Massage Therapy uses quadriceps massage to help reduce pain, tension and tightness of the muscles.
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