A Quadriceps Contusion occurs as a result of severe impact to the thigh which consequently compresses against the hard surface of the femur (thine bone). This frequently results in a deep rupture to muscle tissue and causes bleeding, followed by inflammation. This type of injury may occur in other parts of the body such as the calf or upper arm; however, these are less common than in the thigh region.
These injuries usually occur in sports that involve contact such as Australian soccer and rugby or in sports such as cricket, hockey or lacrosse where a hard ball or object can hit the thighs of a player.
A Quadriceps Contusion is of two types:
1. Intramuscular contusion, which occurs when the muscles tears in the sheath (lining) surrounding it.
2. The intermuscular contusion, which occurs when the muscles and the sheath that surround it are both torn.
What are the Causes of a Quadriceps Contusion?
In the event that you have quadriceps contusion, you cannot make a mistake about the cause. Something - a football helmet, a player's knee, a railing at a skatepark can hit you very hard in the leg. This has been the major reason why quadriceps contusion is prevalent in sports that involve contact or the risk of collision.
In the event that the impact crushes your muscle against your thighbone (femur), they may start to tear and bleed. This can result in pain and swelling. If the injury is an intramuscular contusion, where the bleeding is in the muscular sheath, you may not notice a lot of bruising at the beginning. But if the sheath tears along with the muscle (intermuscular contusion), it can cause significant bruising and discoloration in the thigh.
• Sports that involve contacts and sports that require quick starts such as running races and other track events.
• Warm up and cool down habits.
• Offseason/preseason/season training habits.
• Poor muscle conditioning.
• Playing position.
• Level of competition.
• Protective equipment use.
• Playing experience.
• Medical history of any bleeding disorder.
• Age.
• Poor nutrition.
• Smoking history.
• Obesity.
What are the Symptoms of a Quadriceps Contusion?
Symptoms of Quadriceps Contusion include:
• A record of direct impact to the front of the thigh.
• There will be weakness and pains will be felt in the quadriceps muscle group.
• There will be tightness or swelling of the quadriceps muscle group.
• Difficulty bending the knee.
• Profound hematoma, or lump, in the muscle tissue.
Quadriceps Contusion Treatment
Treatment for a Quadriceps Contusion requires restoring the circulation and blood flow to the affected structures in your quadriceps. Pain is caused when swelling, inflammation and decreased circulation generate a blockage, which causes blood flow to be interrupted or slowed. Treatment for this issue requires breaking up the accumulated fluids in your quadriceps to allow for improved healing and quicker recovery.
Products recommended for symptoms of swelling, redness, pain, and inflammation, and if coolness makes your pain feel better:
Ice Substitute Poultice
Bruise Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
Products recommended when swelling and inflammation are gone, but you still feel pain, stiffness, weakness, and/or sensitivity in cold and damp weather, and if heat makes your pain feel better:
Pain Relief Liniment
Muscle Therapy Massage Oil
