Rectus Femoris Pain

Rectus femoris is one of the quadriceps muscles of the thighs. The rectus femoris passes through two joints which are the hip and knee. Injury to the rectus femoris occurs as the tendon at the front of the hip or in the muscle belly of the thigh. To many people, this injury is called "hip flexor strain". This injury is common in sports such as soccer and football. Usually, this involves an energetic movement like starting a sprint immediately or kicking a ball with force, especially when an athlete hits another player while trying to kick the ball.

What are the Causes of Rectus Femoris Pain?

Unfortunately, the main causes of rectus femoris pain are very common. This pain is most often caused by a forceful movement. So, if you are moving in fast motion where hip and thigh muscles are involved, this can cause rectus femoris pain. Sports such as sprint, football, and soccer can easily cause rectus femoris pain.

Sports such as sprinting, football and soccer can easily cause rectus femoris pain as a result of the practice of each, with very early onset. In the case of football or soccer, enough pressure of a kick to that muscle area.

Excessive stretching can also cause rectus femoris pain, most especially when the excessive extension occurs regularly over a long period of time as it may progressively weaken the tendons and muscles. It is interesting to note that wearing high heels can sometimes cause pain because of the unpleasant position where your shoes are placed.

This, in turn, changes the way the muscles of the thigh move and act in the leg. The only way to know if you have rectus femoris pain is by taking a good look at the symptoms.

There are some categories of people who are at higher risk of developing rectus femoris pain and they include: • Cyclists • Dancers • Martial artists • Kickers on a football team • Soccer players • Step aerobics participants There are some athletes who jump or run while performing high knee kicks and they are at higher risk of developing rectus femoris pain. In the event that you engage in deep stretching, for example by pulling your thighs backward, you are also more likely to experience rectus femoris pain.

A rectus femoris pain is a tearing of the muscles. These tears can range from mild to severe:

Grade I. tears: this is a minor tear, in which only a few fibers are damaged.

Grade II tears: In this case, a noteworthy number of muscle fibers are damaged and this results in a moderate loss of hip flexor function.

Grade III tears: In grade II tears, the muscles are completely ruptured or torn and it is difficult to walk without a limp.

According to the Australian Physiotherapy Association, the majority of the injuries are II.

What are the Symptoms of Rectus Femoris Pain?

Below are some of the symptoms associated with rectus femoris pain:

• Pain that seems to occur suddenly.
• Increased pain in lifting the thigh to the chest.
• Pain when stretching the hip muscles.
• Muscle spasm in the hip or thigh.
• There will be swelling or bruising at the hip or thigh area.

These pains can be felt during running or walking.

Rectus Femoris Pain Treatment

Treatment for Rectus Femoris Pain 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