Quadriceps Strain
Overview
SymptomsandDiagnosis
Treatments
Treatment
Most strains heal in about 3 weeks. It can take up to 6 months for a severe strain to heal. The goals of treatment are to ease pain and swelling. This may include:
- Medicine to ease pain and swelling
- Crutches to take weight off of the leg as it heals
- Exercises to help with strength, flexibility, and range of motion
This content is reviewed regularly and is updated when new and relevant evidence is made available. This information is neither intended nor implied to be a substitute for professional medical advice. Always seek the advice of your physician or other qualified health provider prior to starting any new treatment or with questions regarding a medical condition.
Edits to original content made by Denver Health.
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a (Pulled Quadriceps)
RESOURCES
American Council on Exercise http://www.acefitness.org
Family Doctor—American Academy of Family Physicians http://familydoctor.org
CANADIAN RESOURCES
Canadian Physiotherapy Association http://www.physiotherapy.ca
The College of Family Physicians of Canada http://www.cfpc.ca
References
Derry S, Moore RA, et al. Topical NSAIDS for acute musculoskeletal pain in adults. Cochrane Database of Systematic Reviews 2015, (6):CD007402.
Eckard TG, Kerr ZY, et al. Epidemiology of quadriceps strain in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes, 2009-2010 through 2014-2015. J Athletic Training. 2017;52(5):474-481.
Hamstring strain. EBSCO DynaMed website. Available at: https://www.dynamed.com/condition/hamstring-strain . Updated April 30, 2018. Accessed December 9, 2019.
Muscle strains in the thigh. Ortho Info—American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Available at: http://orthoinfo.aaos.org/topic.cfm?topic=a00366. Updated March 2014. Accessed September 7, 2017.
Wong S, Ning A, et al. Return to sport after muscle injury. Curr Rev Musculoskelet Med. 2015 Jun;8(2):168-175.