Rectus femoris strain
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Synopsis
Causes / typical injury mechanism: Forceful, eccentric contraction of the thigh muscles, usually during sports:- Landing from a high jump (basketball and volleyball players)
- Sudden change in direction (football and soccer players)
- Long distance downhill running
- Falling backwards while feet are caught or fixed to the ground (elderly patients)
- Pain and dysfunction at the anterior thigh either immediately or within several days after injury; pain is worse with weight-bearing.
- Swelling and ecchymosis can be seen in more severe strains.
- Age – Mild to moderate strains most often occur in active young adults younger than 40 years. Ruptures are more common in patients older than 50 who have comorbidities such as diabetes mellitus, obesity, and hyperparathyroidism.
- Sex – Female patients are at 3 times increased risk compared to male patients.
- Current musculoskeletal injury of the leg, especially of the knee (eg, anterior cruciate ligament [ACL] tears) or hamstring, causing lack of coordinated movement between muscle groups.
- Use of fatigued muscles (rectus femoris is 65% type II muscle fibers). The dominant leg is more often affected.
The 4 muscles that comprise the quadriceps are the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis. The rectus femoris is the only one that crosses 2 joints. The rectus is the most commonly injured quadriceps muscle; this is believed to stem from it spanning both the hip and knee joints.
Grading system:
- Grade 1 (mild) – No loss or minimal loss of strength, no palpable muscle defect on physical examination.
- Grade 2 (moderate) – Moderate loss of strength, may feel a small palpable muscle defect on physical examination of the anterior thigh.
- Grade 3 (severe) – Usually complete loss of strength, can often feel a palpable muscle defect.
Codes
ICD10CM:S76.119A – Strain of unspecified quadriceps muscle, fascia and tendon, initial encounter
SNOMEDCT:
430906009 – Strain of rectus femoris muscle
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Differential Diagnosis & Pitfalls
- Stress fracture (femur, patella)
- Hematoma
- Contusion
- Tumor
- Referred lumbar spine pain
- Meralgia paresthetica
- Myositis ossificans
- Compartment syndrome is a limb-threatening injury that should be ruled out with any complaint concerning the anterior thigh.
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Last Reviewed:08/27/2020
Last Updated:08/27/2020
Last Updated:08/27/2020