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Injury advice > Thigh Injuries > Quad strain

Quad strain

What is a quadriceps strain?

This is a tear or strain of any of the four quadriceps muscles however it is usually the consist of the vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and the rectus femoris. Any of these muscles can strain (or tear) but probably the most common is the rectus femoris. A strain is a tear in the muscle. If you have had a direct impact to the muscle then you should treat it as a contusion.

Muscle strains are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on the severity of the damage done. It is important you understand what damage has been done so you can treat the injury correctly.

 Quads

How to tell a Grade 1:

  • Your thigh will be tight.
  • You will have difficulty walking.
  • There may be a little swelling.
  • There may be a little pain when straightening the knee against resistance.

How to tell a Grade 2:

  • May be unable to walk.
  • Exercise may cause moments of pain.
  • There may be swelling.
  • Pushing the injury will be painful.
  • Straightening the knee against resistance causes pain.
  • Difficulty fully bending the knee.

How to tell a Grade 3:

  • Unable to walk properly without the aid of crutches.
  • there will be severe pain.
  • Severe swelling
  • A static contraction will be painful and might produce a bulge in the muscle.
  • Expect to be out of competition for 3 to twelve weeks.

Useful Products:

  • Thigh Supports - use a thigh support or compression bandage, to provide compression and retain warmth, until you feel no pain.
  • Cold Therapy - will help to soothe the injury during and after training.

Please see the Virtual Sports Injury Clinic for more information on how to treat Quad Strains and other thigh injuries.