Do I Have A Pulled Quad?

Have you felt a “pulling” sensation in the front of the thigh?

Do you experience pain in your thigh (quadriceps)?

Is your quadriceps bruised?

Is your quadriceps swollen?

Do you experience muscle tenderness in the quadriceps?

Do you experience a loss of strength in the quadriceps?

Do you have difficulties moving your leg?

Based on your answers, it’s unlikely that you have a pulled quad. What a relief! The quadriceps muscle can be described as a group of four muscles located in your front thigh that connect to your knee a little below the knee cap. They make it possible for you to straighten your knee, to bend it, to move your leg forward, help you jump, and provide stability when standing on one leg. A pulled quad can mess with your work-outs and performance. Luckily, in your case, there seem to be no reasons to be worried.

Based on your answers, you are displaying some signs of a pulled quad. If you feel mild discomfort in the thigh, and you experience no loss of strength, the damage is mild. If there is moderate pain, swelling and some loss of strength, the injury is a little worse. In the worst case, you have a complete rupture of the fibers which cause severe pain. In this case surgery may be required. Make sure to visit your doctor or a physiotherapist to understand what type of treatment is needed.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have a pulled quad. Quadriceps tears may require rest anywhere from two weeks to three months. This depends on the severity of the tear. Tears occur if a sudden movement overpowers the strength of the quads’ muscle fibers. Also, sudden twists, muscle fatigue, and tightness can increase the risk of quadriceps tears. You need to make sure to keep your muscle fibers in good alignment. This will help the muscles to tolerate forces and to glide well. Stretching the muscles as well as strengthening them are therefore extremely important.