The four quadriceps are involved in walking, running, and straightening and bending the leg. They are all susceptible to injury, just like the tendons of the thigh. The severity of injuries to these muscles ranges from contusions (bruises), strains (small tears) in the tendon or muscle, to ruptures (complete tears).
Risk factors
- Having muscle fatigue
- Oveloading of the leg muscles
- Football or soccer
- Poor warm-up before exercise
- Weak quadriceps muscles are more likely to tear.
- Tendonitis in the quadriceps
- Use of steroids
- Being sedentary for long periods
- Have certain chronic diseases that disrupt blood circulation
Causes
Sudden, forceful movements of the leg can cause the quadriceps muscle to tear or strain. These movements can occur as a result of overstretching the muscle or while playing sports such as football or soccer.
Symptoms
- Thigh pain and swelling
- Visible inflammation or bruising
- Difficulty bending and straightening the knee
- Leg weakness and reduced range of motion
- Sharp pain when running, jumping, or kicking
Classification for quadriceps strain
- Mild: Minor tearing of muscle fibers with little or no loss of strength. The pain is usually mild to moderate, with no palpable defects in the muscle tissue on examination.
- Moderate: More severe disruption of muscle fibers with significant pain and loss of strength. A defect in the muscle tissue can sometimes be felt.
- Severe: Complete tearing of the muscle associated with severe pain and complete loss of strength. A palpable defect in the muscle tissue can frequently be felt, particularly if examined early in the injury before a hematoma has formed.
