Quadriceps strains can occur from overuse or severe stress and are classified into three grades. Treatment ranges from rest and ice to surgery depending on the extent of the damage. Rehabilitation through physical therapy is typically needed for recovery.
The quadriceps are muscles located in the front of the thigh. These muscles can become tight from overuse or severe stress beyond their limits, usually from people involved in physically intense sports such as soccer, jogging, and running. When a person experiences a quadriceps strain, their doctor will typically evaluate the injury to determine how it should be managed. Quadriceps strains are classified into three grades; grade one, where the muscle is overstretched or only slightly torn; grade two, in which the muscle is partially torn; and grade three, in which the muscle is completely torn or ruptured. The appropriate course of treatment will depend on the extent of the damage and range from rest and ice to surgery.
Treatment of a grade one quadriceps strain typically involves the RICE method of rest, ice, compression, and elevation. The use of the injured muscle should be kept to a minimum; any activity that causes pain, especially sports, should be avoided while it heals. Applying ice packs, compressing with a bandage, and keeping the leg straight overhead can help minimize swelling. Because these types of strains are usually painful, medications such as NSAIDs or aspirin are often helpful in easing the discomfort.
A grade two quadriceps strain is initially treated similarly to a grade one strain. Both the RICE rule and the use of medications are applied first to relieve pain and swelling. Due to the muscle tear, however, these types of strains are more severe and typically take months rather than days or weeks to heal. A doctor may recommend a leg cast to immobilize it and aid in healing during this time. Muscle damage can lead to loss of strength or range of motion in the affected leg, and a course of physical therapy including stretching and strengthening exercises is typically needed for rehabilitation.
The most severe type of quadriceps strain, the third degree, is much more severe than the first two. When the muscle breaks down completely, either by tearing or detaching from the tendon, it stops functioning normally. These injuries are extremely painful and debilitating, and if not treated appropriately, the patient is at risk of losing normal leg function. Surgery is usually needed in these cases to repair the torn muscle. After recovering from surgery, it will typically take several months of physical therapy to fully restore the strength and flexibility of the muscle.
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