Quadriceps Injuries: Quadricep Injury Symptoms and Treatment
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How do I know if I've injured my quadricep?

The signs and symptoms of a quadricep strain are: (1) pain when moving, stretching or flexing of the thigh, (2) muscle spasms of the injured muscles, (3) swelling over the injury, (4) Weakened leg (moderate or severe strain), (5) Crepitation ("crackling" feeling and sound when the injured area is pressed with fingers). Calcification of the hamstring muscle or tendon (visible with x-ray) and (6) Inflammation of the sheath covering the hamstring tendon.These injuries are generally caused by prolonged overuse of muscle tendon units in the leg or a single violent injury or force applied to the knee or quadricep area of the thigh.

Am I at risk for quadricep injuries ?

The risk of sustaining a quadricep injury increases with contact sports, sports that require quick starts, such as the running races and other track events. A medical history of any bleeding disorder. Obesity, poor nutrition, previous thigh, hip or knee injury or poor muscle conditioning also increase the risk. The likelihood of sustaining a quadricep injury can be decreased by participating in a strengthening, flexibility and conditioning program appropriate for your sport or athletic activity, by adequately warming up before practice or competition and by using proper protective equipment, such as knee pads and thigh pads, during participation in contact sports.

What is the proper care for a quadricep injury ?

The appropriate health care for a hamstring strain is a doctor's care, application of tape or an elastic sleeve if a muscle ruptures or the muscle-tendon-bone attachment loosens. Your own self-care during rehabilitation, proper physical therapy (for moderate or severe strain), or surgery for a severe strain. The condition is most commonly diagnosed through your own observation of symptoms, your medical history and exam by a doctor and x-rays of the pelvis, femur and knee to rule out fractures.

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