1. It Takes More Than One Muscle to Make Up a Thigh
When you refer to the muscles of your thigh, you are not simply referring to one muscle. Your thigh is actually made up of three muscles: hamstrings in the back, adductor muscles along the insides and quadriceps (the large muscle in the front). Hamstrings and quadriceps bend and extend the leg, while adductors work to pull the thighs together. Quadriceps and hamstrings are the muscles that are most vulnerable to strains.
2. The Strains of Being a Thigh Muscle
A strain is a tear in the muscle fibers. Muscle strains are categorized as first, second or third degree (or grade), depending on the severity of the tear. If you participate in sports involving running, jumping and kicking such as soccer or football, weightlifting, or long distance running, you can be at risk of getting a thigh muscle strain. Even a jump off a few steps can result in a thigh muscle strain if you are not in the best physical shape or if you happen to land awkwardly. Overstretching of the muscle or a direct blow to the thigh can lead to a strain.
3. Thigh Muscle Strains Are Not a Shy Injury
Thigh muscle strains announce themselves immediately. You will likely not walk around for a few days wondering, "Do I have a thigh muscle strain?" You will hear a popping or snapping sound in your thigh at the time of the injury. Pain is instant and in many cases severe, depending on the grade of the strain. At the least, you will feel a tightness and have slight trouble walking; at the worst, you will not be able to walk unassisted at all, you'll have swelling and possible bruising and you'll be in a lot of pain.
4. How Do You Spell Relief
Treatment for thigh muscle strains varies depending on the grade of the strain. A mild grade I strain is treated with compression, ice and a reduction (though in some cases not a total elimination) in physical activity. For more severe strains, crutches will be needed until you can walk without pain. You'll need physical therapy, most often accompanied with electrical stimulation, ultrasound or massage, and several weeks of inactivity. Even surgery is a possibility for grade III strains.
5. Keep Those Thighs Strain Free
The good news is there are a few things you can do to assure you will never have to go through the pain of a thigh muscle strain. Strengthen the muscles of your thighs with exercise (make sure to strengthen both the quadriceps and the hamstrings; injury is more likely if one is stronger than the other). Perform daily stretching exercises as tight muscles are more prone to strains. Always warm up before starting any physical activity.
