Strained or torn quadriceps anyone have experience with them?

[Guest tnxdshooter]

Here about two weeks ago I was laying on the couch when suddenly my thigh cramped and got tight. I tried to move my leg up and down by bending the knee. At the time I did that I heard a popping noise and immediate pain. I have been resting my leg elevating it and trying not to walk on it to much. However, it does still ache from time to time especially coming down the stairs and what not. It hurts on the front of the thigh about mid way down and on the left side of my knee now some. It seems like it is getting no better but no worse either. I used ice the first 24 hours and have been taking ibuprofen to relieve the pain. Any other suggestions I could try to speed up recovery? Someone suggested a compression bandage on the area until the pain subsides. What is the difference in that and regular stretch brown gauze? I really dont want to go to the dr as I am unemployed and have no health insurance so.

[Warbird]

If you did not have any major bruising it is not torn. I'm not sure how you even get a strain if you weren't putting some sort of stress inducement on it. I guess if you had a serious cramp and bent your knee quickly you might have strained a muscle.

[trblmkr13]

To be more comfortable try wearing Under Armour compression shorts but there is no quick fix unless you sleep in a hyperbaric chamber

[Guest tnxdshooter]

If you did not have any major bruising it is not torn. I'm not sure how you even get a strain if you weren't putting some sort of stress inducement on it. I guess if you had a serious cramp and bent your knee quickly you might have strained a muscle.

Might have been it. I dont know. I think I actually tweaked it at the farm and didnt realize it and then when I got to layin down and not movin it tightened up then when I tried to move it strained it.

[Guest tnxdshooter]

To be more comfortable try wearing Under Armour compression shorts but there is no quick fix unless you sleep in a hyperbaric chamber

That is what I figured just takes time. I have usually healed very fast in the past but this seems to be lingering.

[Guest tnxdshooter]

The pain is tolerable but annoying.

[Guest mustangdave]

You might contemplate getting a DEEP tissue massage...

[Kano]

RICE rule:

• Rest the injured muscle (take a temporary break from sports activities).
  
• Ice the injured area to reduce swelling.
  
• Compress the muscle with an elastic bandage.
  
• Elevate the injured leg.
  

In addition, you can take a nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drug (NSAID), such as ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin and other brand names) or aspirin, to ease pain and relieve swelling. As pain gradually subsides, your doctor may recommend a rehabilitation program to restore the normal range of motion in your leg and to gradually strengthen the injured muscle.

If you have a Grade II strain, you may need to be evaluated by a specialist, such as an orthopedist, will be appropriate. To allow the injured muscle to heal, you may need to wear a cast for a number of weeks.

If you have a Grade III strain in your leg, the torn muscle may need to be repaired surgically by an orthopedic specialist. One exception is a Grade III plantaris strain, which usually is treated without surgery.

When To Call a Professional

Call your doctor promptly if:

• You hear or feel a pop in your leg muscle at the time of injury
  
• You have severe pain, swelling or discoloration in the injured muscle
  
• Your injured leg is obviously weak compared to your uninjured leg
  
• You have difficulty walking
  
• You have milder leg symptoms that do not improve after 48 hours
  

Prognosis

The outlook depends on the location and severity of the muscle strain. In general, almost all Grade I strains heal within a few weeks. Grade II strains may take two to three months. After surgery to repair a Grade III strain, most people regain normal leg muscle function after several months of rehabilitation.

Additional Info

Symptoms

Symptoms of a strained leg muscle can include:

• Muscle pain and tenderness, especially after an activity that stretches or violently contracts the muscle. Pain usually increases when you move the muscle, but it is relieved by rest.
  
• Local muscle swelling, black and blue discoloration or both
  
• Either a decrease in muscle strength or (in a Grade III strain) a complete loss of muscle function
  
• Difficulty walking
  
• A pop in the muscle at the time of injury
  
• A gap, dent or other defect in the normal outline of the muscle (Grade III strain)
  

Diagnosis

Your doctor will want to know what activity triggered your leg pain and whether there was a pop in the muscle when you injured it. The doctor also will ask about your symptoms, especially any decreased muscle strength or difficulty walking.

To confirm a diagnosis, the doctor will examine you. If the results of your exam point to Grade I or II muscle strain, you probably will not need any additional testing. However, if the diagnosis is in doubt, X-rays or a magnetic resonance imaging scan may be necessary. Also, in calf muscle injuries, Doppler studies may be done to check for a blood clot.

Expected Duration

Most Grade I or Grade II strains begin to feel better within a few days. In most cases, symptoms are either totally gone, or very much improved, within 8 to 10 weeks. Symptoms of a Grade III strain may last until the torn muscle is repaired surgically.

Edited October 29, 2010 by Kano

[Guest tnxdshooter]

Thanks kano,

I will try the compression bandage and stay on the ibuprofen. I dont have insurance or the money to go to the DR. it did pop and then the pain set in.

[pitt2magic]

I live in Nooga and used to strain my quads every softball game this Summer. I work out with a personal trainer and he is a master at stretching muscles to get me better and by proper stretching I have stopped reinjuring myself. I can get you in contact with him. Not cheap but much cheaper than a Dr visit.

[Guest tnxdshooter]

I live in Nooga and used to strain my quads every softball game this Summer. I work out with a personal trainer and he is a master at stretching muscles to get me better and by proper stretching I have stopped reinjuring myself. I can get you in contact with him. Not cheap but much cheaper than a Dr visit.

I should probably get healed first. My buddy is a Physicians assistant and he advised use the compression bandage and stay on the ibuprofen, keep it elevated at night and stay off it as much as possible. He even suggested that I use crutches. I have crutches but dont know if I use em as I hate usin em.