Muscle Strain in the Thigh

Muscle Strain in the Thigh

Article
Bone, Muscle, & Joint
Diseases & Conditions
Contributed byKrish Tangella MD, MBADec 01, 2018

What are the other Names for this Condition? (Also known as/Synonyms)

  • Pulled Muscle in the Thigh
  • Quadriceps Strain
  • Thigh Muscle Strain

What is Muscle Strain in the Thigh? (Definition/Background Information)

  • The thigh is made up of 3 strong muscles. They include the quadriceps muscles in the front of the thigh, the hamstring muscles in the back of the thigh, and the adductor muscles on the inside of the leg
  • Muscle Strains in the Thigh are common injuries caused by over-stretching or tearing of thigh muscle fibers. This injury to the thigh, usually results in an immediate sensation of pain
  • The condition is predominantly seen in individuals, who actively participate in sports. A previous injury to the thigh muscle may aggravate the risk
  • Conservative methods are usually used to treat a Thigh Muscle Strain; however, surgery may be recommended in severe cases. The long-term prognosis of Muscle Strain in the Thigh is usually good in a majority of the individuals

Who gets Muscle Strain in the Thigh? (Age and Sex Distribution)

  • Muscle Strains in the Thigh may occur in individuals of all ages, races, ethnic groups, and both genders
  • Overall, individuals who are physically-active, may have the highest rate of occurrence of this condition

What are the Risk Factors for Muscle Strain in the Thigh? (Predisposing Factors)

Common risk factors associated with a Muscle Strain in the Thigh include:

  • Participation in rough or high-impact sports, such as football, ice hockey, and soccer
  • Sports activities that actively involve the thigh muscles such as gymnastics or martial arts
  • A previous injury to the thigh muscle

It is important to note that having a risk factor does not mean that one will get the condition. A risk factor increases ones chances of getting a condition compared to an individual without the risk factors. Some risk factors are more important than others.

Also, not having a risk factor does not mean that an individual will not get the condition. It is always important to discuss the effect of risk factors with your healthcare provider.

What are the Causes of Muscle Strain in the Thigh? (Etiology)

Causal factors of a Thigh Muscle Strain may include:

  • Participation in any rough or high-impact sporting activity
  • Muscle imbalance, muscular fatigue, and weakness
  • Any significant traumatic event, such as an automobile accident
  • Cold weather, which decreases flexibility of the thigh muscle fibers
  • Overexertion of the thigh muscles beyond its capability, such as with gymnastics and certain stretching exercises

What are the Signs and Symptoms of Muscle Strain in the Thigh?

The pain one experiences with Muscle Strain in the Thigh depends on the severity of the injury. Signs and symptoms of this injury include:

  • Severe pain
  • Tenderness and swelling within the muscle
  • Muscle stiffness
  • Inflammation around the muscle
  • Noticeable bruising, redness around the area
  • Decreased range of motion of the thigh

There are 3 ranges of severity associated with Muscle Strains in the Thigh:

  • Grade I: A Grade I muscle strain occurs when less than 5% of the muscle fibers are stretched or torn
  • Grade II: A Grade II muscle strain occurs when a larger percentage of muscle fibers have been stretched or torn, but not completely ruptured. It usually results in immediate pain, decreased muscular strength, and occasional bruising
  • Grade III: Grade III condition is a complete rupture of the muscle fibers of the thigh

How is Muscle Strain in the Thigh Diagnosed?

Diagnostic methods that a physician may use to help diagnose Thigh Muscle Strains include:

  • Physical examination: A thorough physical examination is important for a physician, to examine the thigh for any tenderness and signs of bruising. Individuals are also expected to provide an explanation of the circumstances that caused the injury. In addition to this, a complete medical history can aid in arriving at a definitive diagnosis
  • X-ray of the thigh: An x-ray of the thigh is a common method used to evaluate a muscle strain. This diagnostic test provides a clear image of the thigh, may help confirm the diagnosis, and determine the extent of the injury. The thigh x-ray may also be necessary, if a possible fracture or other injuries to the thigh has taken place
  • Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) of the thigh: An MRI scan is a more detailed scan that uses a magnetic field to produce images of the affected region. MRI scans allow the physicians to view any damage to the bones and soft tissue and help confirm the diagnosis
  • Computerized tomography (CT) scan of the thigh: A CT scan takes a series of x-ray images from several different angles. These images are then merged to create cross-sectional images of bones and soft tissues of the thigh. This then allows the physician to examine the thigh and its surrounding structures to help confirm a diagnosis

Many clinical conditions may have similar signs and symptoms. Your healthcare provider may perform additional tests to rule out other clinical conditions to arrive at a definitive diagnosis.

What are the possible Complications of Muscle Strain in the Thigh?

Complications associated with a Muscle Strain in the Thigh may include:

  • Prolonged and chronic pain within the thigh
  • Arthrofibrosis: Excessive formation of scar tissue within the muscles and surrounding joint tissue

How is Muscle Strain in the Thigh Treated?

Conservative non-surgical methods form the first line of treatment for a Thigh Muscle Strain. These include:

  • Any activity that aggravates the thigh condition further should be avoided. The physician may advise the individual to refrain from participating in any physical activities, till the pain stops or symptoms get better
  • Applying ice to the thigh can help reduce pain and swelling
  • Applying a damp heated towel to the thigh may help relieve some pain
  • Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory oral medications, such as ibuprofen and naproxen may be used to treat a Muscle Strain in the Thigh. These medications can help decrease pain and swelling
  • Compression shorts or an ice bag wrapped around the affected area is an early treatment technique
  • Elevation of the leg can help prevent blood from gathering around the injured area

Individuals are likely to need physical therapy after the symptoms are controlled. The goal of these exercises is to strengthen the muscles within the thigh, improve flexibility, and decrease stiffness. Severe Thigh Muscle Strains may require a surgery and/or several months of intense physical therapy.

How can Muscle Strain in the Thigh be Prevented?

A few recommendations to help prevent Thigh Muscle Strains include:

  • Warming-up prior to playing a sport
  • The use of correct stretching techniques are recommended before and after an athletic event
  • Individuals who participate in any high-impact sports, such as football, should wear appropriate safety equipment to help prevent the possibility of such muscular strains
  • Wearing appropriate footwear (such as the proper shoe size) may help prevent accidents
  • Use of seat belts can help reduce the impact of accidents

What is the prognosis of Muscle Strain in the Thigh? (Outcomes/Resolutions)

  • The long-term prognosis of Muscle Strains in the Thigh is usually good in a majority of individuals
  • When properly treated, a high percentage of individuals are able to regain their full strength and range of motion in the affected thigh
  • Mild to moderate muscle strains usually heal within 6 weeks. However, a severe injury may require at least 6 months of intense physical therapy to achieve optimal results

Additional and Relevant Useful Information for Muscle Strain in the Thigh:

The following article link will help you understand a common injury to one of the 3 muscles in the thigh, the hamstring muscle:

http://www.dovemed.com/diseases-conditions/hamstring-muscle-injuries/

Was this article helpful

On the Article

Krish Tangella MD, MBA picture
Approved by

Krish Tangella MD, MBA

Pathology, Medical Editorial Board, DoveMed Team

0 Comments

Please log in to post a comment.

Related Articles

Test Your Knowledge

Asked by users

Related Centers

Loading

Related Specialties

Loading card

Related Physicians

Related Procedures

Related Resources

Join DoveHubs

and connect with fellow professionals

Related Directories

Who we are

At DoveMed, our utmost priority is your well-being. We are an online medical resource dedicated to providing you with accurate and up-to-date information on a wide range of medical topics. But we're more than just an information hub - we genuinely care about your health journey. That's why we offer a variety of products tailored for both healthcare consumers and professionals, because we believe in empowering everyone involved in the care process.
Our mission is to create a user-friendly healthcare technology portal that helps you make better decisions about your overall health and well-being. We understand that navigating the complexities of healthcare can be overwhelming, so we strive to be a reliable and compassionate companion on your path to wellness.
As an impartial and trusted online resource, we connect healthcare seekers, physicians, and hospitals in a marketplace that promotes a higher quality, easy-to-use healthcare experience. You can trust that our content is unbiased and impartial, as it is trusted by physicians, researchers, and university professors around the globe. Importantly, we are not influenced or owned by any pharmaceutical, medical, or media companies. At DoveMed, we are a group of passionate individuals who deeply care about improving health and wellness for people everywhere. Your well-being is at the heart of everything we do.

© 2023 DoveMed. All rights reserved. It is not the intention of DoveMed to provide specific medical advice. DoveMed urges its users to consult a qualified healthcare professional for diagnosis and answers to their personal medical questions. Always call 911 (or your local emergency number) if you have a medical emergency!