The different types of quadriceps injury include dead legs and muscle strains. A dead leg is usually not serious and is caused by a direct impact to one of the quadriceps muscles. Quadriceps strains can affect any of the four quadriceps muscles and vary from minor injuries to complete rupture. The tendon attaching to the quadriceps muscles may also rupture, thus causing pain and functional problems.
The quadriceps group is made up of four separate muscles. These are the rectus femoris, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and vastus lateralis. Injuries such as strains can affect any of these four muscles. The tendon of the rectus femoris muscle is most likely to suffer from inflammation at the hip; this is because it is the only quadriceps to cross both the knee and hip joints.
A common quadriceps injury is a dead leg, more correctly known as a quadriceps contusion. When one of the four muscles undergoes a strong impact, the fibers can become damaged often as a result of being crushed against the bone. Symptoms of a quadriceps contusion include pain around the area of impact, swelling, and bruising. In most cases, the swelling and pain will disappear in a few days; if the symptoms persist, treatment may be required.
Strains are another common type of quadriceps injury. A strain involves tears to muscle fibers often caused by athletic activity. Small tears, usually known as Grade One strains, often heal naturally and relatively quickly. Grade Two strains involve a greater number of torn fibers and require longer rehabilitation time. Grade Three quadriceps strains are the most severe and need a more extensive rehabilitation program.
Rectus femoris tendon ruptures sometimes occur during explosive athletic movements. This quadriceps muscle attaches to the hip; when an injury occurs, an athlete will often feel sharp pain in this region or in the groin. Soon after the injury, swelling and bruising will occur, and it will be difficult to lift the knee upward. Treatment for a rectus femoris tendon rupture involves rest, ice, and a full rehabilitation program.
The tendon of the rectus femoris can also become inflamed. This type of quadriceps injury is usually the result of repetitive movements which put the tendon under a large amount of stress. Symptoms of inflammation in the rectus femoris include hip pain that comes on gradually and pain that occurs while performing a straight leg raise. This quadriceps injury usually responds well to rest and ice, although rehabilitation and other anti-inflammatory treatments may be required.