In light of Frank Lampard’s recent thigh injury that now rules him out of this summers Euro tournament in Poland and the Ukraine, this blog is designed to provide more detail about what a thigh strain is. A thigh strain sounds quite trivial and can leave most people wondering why it’s necessary for Lampard to miss a whole tournament especially when England are still nearly 2 weeks away from their first game. I’m sure most of us have self-diagnosed a muscle strain during exercise but like the brave heroes we are, we’ve managed to soldier on (unlike Frank!). The injury isn’t always that straight forward though and Lamps has more than likely suffered a more severe tear in his thigh muscles rather than it being a case of him skiving off so he can lie on a beach with Christine Bleakley.
The thigh muscles are a group of muscles called the Quadriceps muscles.
Their main action is to extend the knee and they're the muscles responsible for generating power when kicking a football. A thigh strain therefore refers to a tear in the Quadriceps muscles and depending on its severity it is classified as a first, second or third degree strain.
Grade 1 tear or strain
The least severe type of strain typified by the following symptoms:
• A twinge in the thigh is usually felt.
• The thigh feels like it tightens up.
• Mild discomfort is felt on walking but the athlete should still be able to walk.
• Usually no swelling is noticeable.
• Trying to straighten the knee against resistance may be uncomfortable.
• An area of local spasm may be felt at the site of the suspected tear.
TREATMENT
• PRICE principle (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression, Elevation)
• Rest for 72 hours
• Ice or cold therapy every 2 to 3 hours
• Compression bandaging
• If there is no pain after the 72-hour period then return to training.
• If pain persists seek specialist advice or call us at our Manchester based physio clinic @ MediaCityUK, Salford on 0161 713 3676
Grade 2 tear or strain
More severe tearing of the muscle typified by the following symptoms:
• A sudden sharp pain is felt when running, jumping or kicking.
• The athlete will be unable to carry on with the sport.
• Struggles to walk because of pain.
• Noticeable swelling and even mild bruising around the site of the injury.
• Pain on feeling the area of the tear.
• Straightening the knee against resistance causes pain.
• The athlete is unable to fully bend the knee
TREATMENT
• Follow the PRICE Principle
• Avoid weight bearing for the first 48 hours. Use crutches if necessary.
• Keep the leg elevated
• If pain persists beyond 72 hours seek specialist advice or call us at our Manchester based physio clinic @ MediaCityUK, Salford on 0161 713 3676.
Grade 3 tear or strain
A large section of the muscle has torn typified by the following symptoms:
• Sudden, severe pain in the thigh.
• The athlete will be unable to walk without the aid of crutches.
• Bad swelling appears immediately.
• Bruising usually appears within 24 hours.
• A static contraction will be painful and might produce a bulge in the muscle.
• Expect to be out of competition for 6 to 12 weeks.
TREATMENT
• Follow the PRICE Principle
• Avoid weight bearing for the first 48 hours. Use crutches.
• Keep the leg elevated
• If pain persists beyond 72 hours seek specialist advice or call us at our Manchester based physio clinic @ MediaCityUK, Salford on 0161 713 3676
• Often a scan is required to know the full extent of the injury.
