Numbness and itching in your quadriceps can interrupt your workout and even cause difficulty with routine activities such as climbing stairs. Exercise-related injuries and certain health conditions can cause numbness and itching in your quadriceps.You can often prevent itching and numbness in your quadriceps with changes in your exercise routine and by treating your symptoms with medical care.
Symptoms
Numbness in your quadriceps can lead to difficulty with running or climbing stairs because the muscle is unable to fully extend, according to Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics. You might notice bruising, swelling or redness of the front of your thigh where the quadriceps is located. If the quadriceps tendon is torn, you might notice an indentation or sag at the top of your kneecap, and you might experience difficulty with straightening your knee.
Causes
A fracture in your patella could cause numbness or itchiness in your quadriceps, and this injury could result from a fall. A deep contusion in your quadriceps could also result in itching and numbness in the muscle. An exercise-related injury such as a torn quadriceps tendon or patellar ligament could also cause numbness and itching in your quadriceps. Chronic itchiness and numbness in your quadriceps could result from tendinitis, which is common among runners, according to the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Other health conditions, including arthritis, diabetes, lupus, metabolic disorders and infections, can also result in itching and numbness of your quadriceps. In addition, drugs including steroids and fluoroquinolones can result in weakness, numbness or itchiness of the quadriceps.
Treatments
According to Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics, your doctor might fit you with a leg brace if your quadriceps muscle is weak or numb as a result of a fracture to your patella or a tear of a ligament or tendon. Your doctor might also fit you with a cushioned, customized or over-the-counter shoe insert to improve stability due to numbness when you walk. Severe injuries might require a surgical repair to your muscle, ligament or tendon, followed by physical therapy to help you regain full use of your quadriceps.
Prevention
Taking the time to warm your muscles by stretching before you exercise can help prevent ligament and tendon strains and tears. Avoiding overexertion of your quadriceps muscle by increasing the amount of weight or resistance over time when you work out can also help prevent injuries to your quadriceps. Controlling any underlying health conditions such as diabetes can also help prevent complications such as numbness or itchiness.
