Thigh
Muscle Strain
Injury Explained
Rugby
kickers have
a higher risk
of suffering
from a thigh
muscle strain
as this muscle
is used extensively
when kicking
a ball. The
thigh muscle
is comprised
of a group of
muscles called
the quadriceps.
These are found
at the front
of the thigh
and their main
function is
to extend the
knee. The four
muscles that
comprise the
quadriceps are:
Rectus Femoris,
Vastus Lateralis,
Vastus Intermedius
and Vastus Medialis.
Kicking
the ball and
sprinting forward
places substantial
strain on the
quadriceps.
If the thigh
muscle is stretched
beyond its ability
then a muscle
tear may occur.
This is often
referred to
as a thigh strain
and is categorized
in three distinct
categories.
•
First degree
Thigh muscle
strains refer
to damage to
a few muscle
fibres.
• Second
degree strains
are characterized
by damage to
a number of
thigh muscle
fibres. Strength
is diminished.
• Third
degree strains
result in severe
damage to the
muscle fibres.
Chronic strains
are caused by
overuse. Acute
strains are
caused by direct
injury or over-stress.
Thigh
Muscle Strain
Signs &
Symptoms
The condition
is most commonly
diagnosed through
observation
of symptoms,
medical history
and examination
by a doctor
and X-rays of
the pelvis,
femur and knee
to rule out
fractures.
A grade one
thigh strain
may be felt
only after the
activity is
over. The patient
may feel sensations
similar to a
cramp. He or
she may also
experience tightness
in the thigh
along with some
pain when extending
or contracting
the thigh muscles.
A grade two
strain will
be felt immediately.
There will be
a more severe
pain and the
injury will
also make walking
extremely painful.
The injury will
be verified
if there is
throbbing when
the muscle is
either stretched
or contracted.
Also, this degree
of strain will
be sore to touch.
The most severe
of all, a grade
three injury
would involve
a complete tear
in the muscle
itself. In this
grade, the patient
will instantly
experience stabbing
pains emanating
from the thigh.
Walking will
also come with
an extreme amount
of pain. Because
of the tear,
there may be
a visible depression
in the thigh
as well as a
lump above that
depression.
An injury of
this magnitude
will also cause
internal bleeding
which, after
a few days,
will manifest
as large bruises
on the skin.
Thigh
Muscle Strain
Treatment
What
you can do
For
a 1st , 2nd
degree and 3rd
degree strains
the immediate
treatment plan
will comprise
of the RICE
protocol.
Rest:
Many players
underestimate
the importance
of rest but
this is vital
when recovering
from this type
of injury. If
you do not rest
completely and
try and take
pressure off
the affected
thigh you could
potentially
damage more
muscle fibres.
The use of crutches
may be beneficial
for immobilization.
1st
Degree strain:
3-4 weeks complete
rest
2nd
Degree strain:
5-7 weeks complete
rest.
Ice:
An ice pack
must also be
applied at two-hour
intervals for
20 minutes each
time. The bleeding,
as well as the
inflammation
of the tissues
will be reduced
after this has
been carried
out. More active
rehabilitation
may begin only
after the patient
has had a couple
days of rest.
After the first
72 hours, apply
heat instead
of ice if it
feels better.
Use heat lamps,
hot soaks, hot
showers, heating
pads or heat
liniments and
ointments. Take
whirlpool treatments,
if available.
Wrap the injured
quadricep muscle
loosely with
an elastic bandage
between treatments.
Massage gently
and often to
provide comfort
and decrease
swelling.

Reusable
hot and cold
pack
Compression:
Using an elastic
compression
bandage is recommended
to prevent additional
swelling.
Elevation:
Elevation will
also help reduce
swelling. The
key to elevation
is to raise
and support
the injured
body part above
the level of
the heart. In
the case of
a hamstring
injury, this
requires lying
down and supporting
the leg up on
pillows.
Surgery
is almost inevitable
with a third
degree strain
to repair ruptured
muscles. After
the procedure,
the player undergoes
rehabilitation
for three months.
Scar
tissue will
form during
the healing
process and
gentle stretching
will help the
alignment of
the scar. The
strength of
the thigh muscle
fibres will
improve when
the scar tissue
is aligned with
the normal lines
of stress. Resistance
bands can be
used once the
muscle has healed
and gains its
strength. The
number of sets
and repetitions
will increase
until the player
has gained the
core strength
needed in the
thigh muscles.
Cycling,
water exercise
or any form
of isokinetic
movements will
help strengthen
without full
weight-bearing
conditioning
for the first
six to eight
weeks.
If
the player increases
his core strength
across the entire
torso and pelvis
this will greatly
reduce the risk
of subsequent
injuries. The
use of swiss
balls along
with resistance
bands is ideal
for this form
of continuous
rehabilitation.
The use of Warm
Pants (Compression
Pants) or thigh
support may
provide reassurance.
Thigh
Muscle Strain
Prevention
What
you can do
The
following measures
may help in
reducing the
risk of sustaining
thigh injuries:
•
Before participating
in rugby practice
you should have
an adequate
warm up routine
to ensure that
muscle temperature
is raised by
1 or 2 degrees.
Warm up should
last between
20 to 30 minutes
and the player
should increase
the intensity
gradually. The
warm up must
also be utilized
to practice
sport-specific
movements and
routines.
Warm pants or
thigh support
may be worn
since they can
help maintain
the muscle temperature
while providing
protection against
muscle injuries.
•Following
exercises, cooling
down and stretching
improves the
recovery of
the muscles,
heart, and other
tissue through
the removal
of waste products.
This will help
prevent DOMS
(Delayed Onset
of Muscle Soreness)
due to the inability
of removing
muscle lactic
acid as well
as aid in preventing
overuse injuries.
•Maintaining
good muscle
strength and
flexibility
will prevent
further damage
to the thigh
muscle. It also
enables greater
control during
rugby.
•The
diet of a rugby
player should
supply a sufficient
amount of energy
and carbohydrates
48 hours prior
to training.
If a player
is short of
essential carbohydrates,
fatigue can
increase the
risk of a thigh
injury.
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