The quadriceps are a major group of four muscles in the front of the thigh that run from the hips to the knees. A strain to the quadriceps, caused by a severe stretching or blow to the muscles, is a partial tear of the fibers. Symptoms include pain, tenderness, stiffness, loss of strength and bruising. Rehabilitation is needed to heal the quadriceps and then restore strength and mobility in the muscles.
Immediate Rehabilitation
Immediately after an injury it is important to practive the acronym RICE: rest, ice, compression and elevation. First, rest the muscles until your movements are pain-free; shorten your stride if normal walking hurts. Apply ice to the quadriceps area 15 to 20 minutes four times a day. Wrap the ice or cold pack in a towel, and do not apply the ice directly to the skin. Compression involves applying pressure to the leg with an elastic compression bandage to prevent swelling. Finally, elevate your leg above your heart for the first 24 hours after an injury. The doctor may also prescribe pain relief or anti-inflammatory medication.
Time Frame
The duration of rehab depends upon the severity of the tear. Recovery from the microscopic tears of a grade 1 strain can be completed in 10 to 21 days. Recovery from a grade 2 strain, which is a partial tear in the muscles, lasts between one and two months. Recovery from a grade 3 strain, which is a complete rupture of the muscle fibers, can take three months or longer. This last type of strain can also result in a complete tear of the tendon --- a fibrous band of tissue that anchors muscle to bone. Surgery may be needed to sew muscles back together and remove scar tissue or reattach the tendon to the bone.
Physical Therapy
In the early stages of rehabilitation, you will perform simple range of motion exercises; for example, bending and straightening the knee. Over time a therapist will add different exercises such as a quadriceps stretch and hip flexor stretch. Hold each stretch for 20 to 30 seconds and repeat three times for at least three sessions a day. Once the pain and swelling greatly diminish, you can begin strengthening exercises. This will occur as early as the second day for a grade 1 strain and as soon as the pain will allow, usually two to four weeks after the injury, for a more severe strain. Straight leg raises, knee extensions, lunges and squats are just a few of the possible strengthening exercises. Your therapist or doctor will recommend a specific routine tailored to your needs and demonstrate proper mechanics. Therapy is often accompanied by massages in order to release tension and stimulate blood flow through the leg.
Completion
Rehabilitation is usually completed once you are able to perform regular pain-free movements such as running and jumping. The restoration of your former strength is important, because if you return too early, then your quadriceps may be unable to absorb the energy of physical stress. This can result in a reinjury. As you begin to return to physical activity, you should use heat on your muscles as you stretch or prepare for sports. This will loosen the muscles and reduce the chances of injury.
