Your quadriceps, or quads, are a group of four muscles located on the front of the upper leg. The vastus medialis is the medial, or inside muscle. The muscles work together to create proper bio-mechanics of the leg and knee. Weakness of the vastus...
The vastus medialis muscle is one of four quadriceps muscles. It is located on the inner part of the front of the thigh. It attaches to the medial aspect of the femur and runs along the inner front down to the base of the patella, or kneecap, via...
Knee pain can slow you down and break your momentum with your running goals. If you experience runner's knee, you need to know how to best help your body overcome it. Exercises that strengthen your thigh muscles can help with knee pain from...
The knee is designed so that the knee cap, or patella, moves within the groove of the femur bone of the upper thigh. When the patella does not track properly, it creates pain in the front of the knee, making it difficult to climb stairs and stand...
Bone, cartilage, muscles, ligaments and tendons come together to form your knees. Stress or damage to any of these body tissues can produce knee injuries. Knee injuries may produce swelling and pain within a few hours after a severe injury or more...
Knee pain after jogging is usually a good indication that you overdid it or that you run with improper form. The first thing you should do with persistent knee pain after jogging is cut back on your mileage. Then you can take steps to reduce your...
Frequent jumping from basketball, running or excessive weightlifting may lead to tendinitis of your patella tendon and possibly a complete rupture. This type of injury to the only tendon connecting your quadriceps muscles to your leg bone can...
Whether you are physically active or relatively sedentary, you are vulnerable to overly tight quadriceps that create imbalanced muscle tension at the hips. If left unaddressed, too-tight quadriceps can effect posture and body mechanics, leading to...
The vastus medialis oblique is one of the four quadriceps muscles located on the front of the thigh and works to extend the knee joint. Weakness in the vastus medialis can result in an increase in knee injury, or chondromalacia. Chondromalacia is...
Post-injury or post-surgery knee rehabilitation is necessary to restore full knee health. Restoring this joint's full function allows pain-free mobility and supports your ability to exercise safely and consistently, so if you have been advised to...
If you want to get technical, the name for the muscle that forms that teardrop shape around your knees is the vastus medialis. This muscle is part of a group of four muscles that form your quadriceps, or the front of your thighs. The teardrop...
Your medial collateral ligament, MCL, runs down the inside of your knee joint. It prevents the bones from becoming displaced and shifting too far inward when force is applied to the outside of your knee. Rest is recommended immediately after an...
If the small muscles surrounding your knees are weak, conventional exercises may present difficulties. Exercises such as terminal knee extensions and bodyweight squats allow you to develop the musculature around your knee and proceed on to heavier...
The Vastus Medialis Oblique, or VMO, is one of four muscles that make up the larger quadriceps--the muscle located on the front of the upper leg. It plays an important role in stabilizing the patella and keeping the knee safe from injury during...
The leg press and leg extension play different roles in exercising and strengthening the leg muscles and quadriceps. Weight trainers and athletes should be familiar with these differences to get the maximum benefit from their leg workouts.
Patellar compression syndrome usually occurs when the patellar retinaculum tendon pushes the knee cap out of alignment. This tendon stabilizes your patella, or knee cap, on both sides. However, the outer side is often stronger than the medial...
The vastus medialis oblique muscle, more commonly called the VMO, sits above your knee on the inner front part of your thigh. While usually associated with assisting in leg extension, the results of a 2007 study published in "Medicine and Science...
The patella, or kneecap, is a sesamoid, a floating bone incorporated into a tendon. Along with the tibia and femur, the patella helps to make up the knee joint. Each of these bones is covered with cartilage where the surface contacts with another...
Pilates is a method of physical conditioning created by Joseph Pilates in the early 20th century. The Pilates method involves mat exercises as well as those that are equipment-based. The Reformer is a piece of Pilates equipment that uses a sliding...
The patella, or the kneecap, is a common site for injuries or pain in runners. Patello-femoral syndrome or chondromalacia patella is knee pain that has numerous causes such weakness in the quadriceps and hamstring tightness. Fortunately, patella...
The theory behind strengthening the VMO, or vastus medialis obliquus, is based upon the muscle's line of pull that acts upon the patella during knee movement. When the knee is bent the vastus lateralis muscle pulls the patella laterally from the...
Patellar release surgery -- also known as lateral release surgery -- is used as a last resort to treat patellar femoral syndrome. If you suffer from this condition, your patella, which is also known as your kneecap, doesn't sit neatly against the...
An athlete's ability to sense and adjust the alignment of her knees is crucial to his ability to prevent bone, joint, muscle and ligament injuries. Balance training, in conjunction with leg muscle strengthening exercises, enhances knee ligament...
The Thera-Band began as a therapeutic and rehabilitation product, and gradually stretched its way into the world of general conditioning. As the fitness industry gained knowledge and sophistication, it borrowed techniques from the rehabilitation...
A torn anterior cruciate ligament, or ACL, is one of the most common knee injuries -- especially among people who play a lot of sports, says Sportsinjuryclinic.net It is usually caused by a direct blow to your knee or a sudden change in position...
The American Heart Association recommends getting at least 30 minutes of moderately intense aerobic exercise most days of the week to help keep your heart and body healthy and strong. One way to meet this goal is through using a bike, whether a...
Your kneecap, or patella, connects your shinbone to the muscles in the front of your thigh. Kneecap dislocation can be painful and impend mobility. Exercises for dislocated kneecaps will strengthen your thigh muscles to keep your kneecap properly...
Exercising after a knee surgery of any kind is a vital part of your recovery process. The main focus is on strengthening the muscles around your knee so it is supported and can heal properly. Although partial knee surgery is not as dramatic as...
Leg pain from cycling is usually a bad sign rather than an indicator that you're getting a good workout. Pain in your legs may signal an overuse injury, an equipment issue or overtraining. If you are suffering leg pain, it's best to visit a health...
