Thigh Strain: What to do? When?

What is a Thigh Strain?

The muscles in your thigh are made up of three main groups: the quadriceps (at the front of your leg), the hamstrings (at the back of your leg) and the adductors (at the inside of your leg).
A thigh strain refers to an injury where the fibres in a quadriceps muscles are overstretched. Once the fibers are overstretched to a certain point, muscle tears occur. These can vary from a minor strain to a full thickness muscle tear.

What Causes a Thigh Strain?

There are a number of factors which can increase your risk of straining your thigh muscles.
The most common include:

Muscle tightness
Muscle fatigue
Muscle imbalances
Incorrect exercise technique
Inadequate warm up period
History of thigh strain/tear without adequate rehabilitation

What are the Symptoms of a Thigh Strain?

Pain during activities which engage the affected thigh muscle, e.g. walking, going up/down stairs, sit to stand, kicking.
“Pulling pain” or a tugging sensation with stretching of the affected muscle eg heel to bottom.
Swelling, bruising or thigh tenderness.
Audible “pop” or snapping sensation at the time of injury, which may indicate a major tear or rupture.

How is a Thigh Strain Diagnosed?

On examination, your physiotherapist will look for signs of a thigh strain. If further assessment is required, an ultrasound or MRI may be used to confirm the location and severity of the injury.

What is the Treatment for a Thigh Strain?

Physiotherapy

Your physiotherapy treatment will aim to:

Reduce pain and inflammation.
Protect your injury.
Normalise joint range of motion.
Strengthen your knee and leg: esp quadriceps (esp VMO) and hamstrings.
Monitor patellofemoral (knee cap) alignment.
Normalise your muscle lengths and neurodynamics.
Improve your proprioception, agility and balance.
Improve your technique and function eg walking, running, squatting, hopping and landing.
Minimise your chance of re-injury.

Depending on the severity of your thigh strain, the rehabilitation process generally take up to six weeks. It is important to complete the full treatment plan as directed by your physiotherapist to reduce the risk of re-injury or ongoing thigh problems.

How to Prevent a Thigh Strain?

There are a number of things you can do to reduce your risk of developing a thigh strain. These include:

Adequate warm up and stretching prior to exercise or post-exercise.
Gradual increase in your exercise intensity or volume.
Monitor your athletic technique.
Benefit from regular leg massages.
Complete full rehabilitation programs following any injury to the lower limb.

For more advice, please consult with your sports physiotherapist.

Return to Sport with a Thigh Strain?

The majority of patients generally make a full recovery post-thigh strain and are able to return to their previous sporting activities. The time frame for returning to sport is dependent on the degree of your injury. It is very important to complete your full rehabilitation program as prescribed by your physiotherapist to reduce your risk of complications when you return to your chosen sport and re-injury.

Surgery is rarely required except where major thigh muscle rupture occurs.

For more information, please ask the advice of your physiotherapist.

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