Thigh Strain

A Thigh muscle strain is quite common in sports like football, where kicking is repeatedly practiced. A Thigh muscle strain refers to a tear in the Quadriceps muscle group. Usually, the muscle is forcibly stretched beyond its limits and the muscle tissue becomes torn. A tear in a Thigh muscle is referred to as a Thigh strain and depending on its severity it is classified as a first, second or third degree strain.

Symptoms Of Thigh Strain

With a Grade one Thigh strain, the signs may not be present until after the activity is over. There may be a sensation of thigh cramp/ tightness and a slight feeling of pain when the muscles are stretched or contracted.

With a Grade two Thigh strain there is immediate pain which is more severe than a grade one injury. It is confirmed by pain on stretch and muscle contraction. A grade two thigh strain is usually sore to touch.

A Grade three Thigh strain is a very serious injury. There is an immediate burning/ stabbing pain and the athlete is unable to walk without pain. The muscle is completely torn and there may be a large lump of muscle tissue above a depression. Bruising will appear below the injury site.

Treatment of Thigh Strain

The immediate treatment of a Quadriceps muscle injury consists of the POLICE protocol – protect, Optimal Load, Rest, Ice, Compression and Elevation. It is important that this is done correctly and your Physiotherapist can advise you on this. This is aimed at reducing the bleeding and damage within the quadriceps muscle tissue.

After the early stages have been spent resting, more active rehabilitation can be started. Realistically, for best results this should be started as early as possible.

Gentle resistance exercises and stretching are important as they help to align the scar tissue that forms during healing. Our skilled Physiotherapists will devise a sports specific rehabilitation programme tailored to your needs. We can guide you through the process of returning to play successfully and reduce the risk of occurrence.

Our Expertise

Our Sports Physiotherapists have extensive clinical experience diagnosing and treating thigh injuries. Following detailed clinical assessment, they will devise a rehabilitation program tailored to your needs. They will be able to assess and advise your Biomechanics, sporting technique and muscle coordination.

Initially, our chartered physiotherapists will carry out a thorough assessment to determine the grade of your strain, helping them to select the most appropriate treatment to help you recover.

They will use a variety of evidence based therapies and treatments to help reduce your pain, improve your swelling and get you back on your feet as quickly as possible.