Overview
Thigh Muscle Strain Injury
A Thigh muscle strain is quite common in sports like football, where kicking is repeatedly practised. A Thigh muscle strain refers to a tear in the Quadriceps muscle group. The Quadriceps are located at the front of the thigh and are responsible for extending (straightening) the knee. A tear in a Thigh muscle is referred to as a strain and depending on its severity it is classified as a first, second or third degree strain.
The immediate treatment for a Thigh muscle injury consists of the RICE protocol - rest, ice, compression and elevation (never apply ice directly to the skin). As a general rule grade one Thigh strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks, and grade two Thigh strains for about 4 to 6 weeks. In the case of a complete rupture the Thigh muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months.
Common Thigh Muscle Strain signs & symptoms:
- A sudden sharp pain in the thigh.
- Pain when stretching the thigh.
- Thigh pain during a resisted muscle contraction.
- A sudden sharp pain when running, jumping or kicking.
- Unable to play on.
- Pain affects walking.
- The athlete may notice swelling or even mild bruising.
- Pain on feeling the area of the tear.
- Straightening the knee against resistance causes pain > Play video
- Unable to fully bend the knee.
Treatments for Thigh muscle strain
Rest, ice, compression, elevation, pain medication if needed, once pain has subsided gradually introduce light stretching movement to provide circulation to the affected muscle tissue
The immediate treatment for a Thigh muscle injury consists of rest, ice, and compression (never apply ice directly to the skin). This is aimed at reducing the bleeding and damage within the muscle tissue. Resting may be the common sense approach, but it is one that is often ignored by competitive athletes.
This is unwise, since it does not take much to turn a grade one Thigh strain into a grade two, or a grade two Thigh strain into a grade three. As a general rule, grade one Thigh strains should be rested from sporting activity for about 3 weeks, and grade two Thigh strains for about 4 to 6 weeks. In the case of a complete rupture the Thigh muscle will have to be repaired surgically and the rehabilitation afterwards will take about 3 months.
Thigh Muscle Strain Prevention
The following measures may have the effect of reducing the chances of sustaining a muscle strain:
Warm up prior to matches and training is thought to decrease muscle stretch injuries because the muscle is more extensible when the tissue temperature has been increased by one or two degrees. A good warm up should last at least twenty minutes, starting gently and finishing at full pace activity. Practicing sport specific activities helps tune coordination and prepare mentally for competition. Warm Pants (Compression Shorts) or a Thigh Support can help to retain muscle temperature and are very for the prevention of thigh muscle injuries.
Professional Warm Up Guide
Recovery after training sessions and matches can be enhanced by performing a cool down. This is thought to help muscles get rid of waste products. This is also the ideal time to do stretching exercises.
Professional Cool Down Guide
Maintaining good muscle strength and flexibility may help prevent muscle strains. Muscle strength allows a player to carry out match activities in a controlled manner and decreases the uncoordinated movements that can lead to injury.
Tight muscles are associated with strains. Stretching on a Gym Mat is helpful to maintain muscle length and prevent injury.
Guide to Stretching Exercises
Diet can have an affect on muscle injuries. If a player's diet is high in carbohydrate in the 48 hours before a match there will be a adequate supply of the energy that is necessary for muscle contractions. However, if the muscles become short of fuel then fatigue can set in during training or matches. This fatigue can predispose a player to injury. Carbohydrate and fluids can be replenished during training and matches by taking Energy Gels and Energy Bars.
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