Though a common injury, an overstretched quad muscle or thigh strain can be debilitating and painful for athletes and casual exercise enthusiasts alike. An injury to the quadriceps muscle group often befalls runners, and can take months to heal. If you have suffered an overstretched quad muscle, a few simple guidelines and a bit of patience will have you up and back at it in no time.
Identification
Four separate muscles constitute the quadriceps muscle group, according to the online physiotherapy resource PhysioRoom.com. These include the rectus femoris, the vastus lateralis, the vastus intermedius and the vastus medialis. These muscles are responsible for straightening the knee joint. A strain or slight tear can occur in any one of these muscles and can be caused by sprinting without a proper warm-up, kicking a ball too forcefully or during a particularly heavy leg press set.
Effects
InteliHealth categorizes an overstretched quad muscle or thigh muscle strain according to degrees or grades of severity. In a Grade 1 strain, the damage is to a few muscle fibers that have been overstretched or torn. The muscle will be tender and inflamed, yet no loss of strength occurs. A Grade 2 strain harms more fibers, thus there will be significant loss of strength, swelling and occasional bruising, as well as more intense pain. A Grade 3 strain represents a total rupture of one or more muscles of the quad muscle group. These are serious injuries which result in total loss of muscle function, intense pain, and considerable swelling and discoloration. Symptoms of Grade 1 and 2 strains typically dissipate completely after eight weeks or so. Grade 3 strain symptoms may last until the muscle is surgically repaired.
Treatment
According to Sportsinjuryclinic.net, those with a Grade 1 overstretched quad muscle should use the RICE method -- rest, ice, compression and elevation -- for the first day, and use cold packs on the quad muscle every two to three hours. Sportsinjuryclinic.net recommends a compression bandage until pain subsides, and a minimum of 72 hours rest before going back to light training. For Grade 2 strains, employ the RICE method, use cold packs every two to three hours for the first two days, wear the compression bandage, and see a sports injury specialist or physiotherapist. Rest with the leg elevated until the sports injury specialist clears you for training. Grade 3 strains require surgery.
Prevention/Solution
Overstretched quad muscles are injuries that can easily be avoided, according to IntelHealth. An adequate warm-up before participating in high-risk sports such as football, hockey, or track and field is essential. InteliHealth recommends an exercise program intended to stretch and strengthen leg muscles. Gentle stretching exercises such as those found in yoga will keep your muscles limber. Also, increase your exercise program's intensity gradually. Pushing yourself too hard, too soon often creates unnecessary injury.
Warning
For many athletes and avid exercise enthusiasts, the last thing you want to do is take time off training. However, overstretched quad muscles demand rest. Even light training can easily transform a Grade 1 thigh strain into a Grade 2, or worse, a Grade 2 into a Grade 3, which will end training altogether. Speak to your doctor or health care provider before returning to exercise if you have recently overstretched your quad muscle.
