People who injure an upper leg muscle during sports play or slip-and-fall accidents may have pulled a quad muscle. Treatment for this muscle strain to the quadriceps should begin right away, with athletes and other patients getting off their feet and taking all weight off the injured leg. Severe strains, or tears, may need surgical repair. From pain relief through rehabilitation, treatment and recovery may take between three weeks and several months, according to the NYU Langone Medical Center.
Identification
Doctors and patients should have no trouble locating the area to treat. If the pain is located at the front rather than the back of the upper leg, the quad muscle group rather than the hamstring group is affected. The area in need of topical treatment may appear bruised and swollen, or simply be painful to move and sore to the touch.
The NYU Langone Medical Center notes that muscle tissue may be stretched or torn. For a severely pulled muscle or one that may involves a bone fracture, physicians may perform magnetic resonance imaging, or an MRI, to reveal any complications.
Time Frame
Patients should undergo two stages of treatment for quad muscle strains. During the acute phase, care should focus on pain relief and suppression of swelling. The National Institute of Arthritis and Musculoskeletal and Skin Diseases advises 48 hours of rest and comprehensive anti-inflammatory treatment. After inflammation passes and during the recovery phase, patients can gradually resume activities that don't induce leg pain. Rehabilitative exercises should be performed until pain in the pulled muscle disappears.
Features
First aid for the acute stage should include RICE -- rest, ice, compression and elevation -- treatment. The University of Buffalo Sports Medicine group advises its athletes to pursue pain relief by resting with the leg elevated and applying cold packs for 20 minutes at a time. Patients may also take nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs such as ibuprofen, naproxen or aspirin as directed. Compression wraps and use of a cane or crutches may aid mobility as patients progress toward recovery.
Effects
Reducing inflammation provides pain relief and redirects cellular energy toward healing. Supporting the quad muscle and body weight with a bandage and walking aid relieves stress on the leg and helps speed recovery. The NYU Langone Medical Center emphasizes that returning to activity while pain lingers can cause re-injury.
Prevention
Exercising to recover strength and flexibility in the pulled muscle will help to prevent future trauma. After patients regain fitness, the NYU Langone Medical Center advises preparing muscles for exertion with warm-ups and keeping realistic limits on activity. Resting when muscles tire allows them to recover rather than give way due to overextertion.
