PATIENT
EDUCATION

Thigh muscle injuries occur when one or more of the strong thigh muscles are forcibly overstretched, resulting in muscle fiber damage (muscle pull or tear) or a complete rupture of the tendon from the bone (avulsion). The large thigh muscles (hamstrings, quadriceps, and adductors) cross both the hip and knee joints and therefore are often prone to injury during jumping, running, and high-impact sports.

Symptoms

• Pain in the thigh or groin
• A popping or tearing sensation when the injury occurred
• Tenderness to the touch
• Bruising and swelling

TREATMENTS FOR THIGH MUSCLE INJURIES: TENDON AVULSION AND COMPLETE TEARS

There are nonsurgical and surgical treatment options available for thigh muscle injures involving a tendon avulsion, or a complete tear. Both treatment types are performed by our hip specialists at Orthopaedic Specialists. 

Nonsurgical Treatments

Depending on the severity of your injury, mild cases of thigh muscle injuries may be treated with R.I.C.E. (rest, ice, compression (cold packs), and elevation), crutches, stretching, taping, sports massage, taking anti-inflammatories, and/or therapy to improve the range of motion and strength. In mild cases, simply resting your leg can be very effective for pain relief. While nonsurgical treatment can relieve mild cases of the condition, surgery may be necessary for severe injuries.

Surgical Treatment

Surgical intervention for thigh muscle injuries is rarely necessary. However, in the event of a complete tear within the muscle or a tendon avulsion, surgical intervention may be warranted. To repair a complete muscle tear, your orthopaedic surgeon will suture the area of muscle damage back together. Tendon avulsion repair involves the removal of any scar tissue and reattaching the tendon to the bone using stitches or surgical staples. Following surgery, you will work closely with your physical therapist to protect the repair and maximize your recovery.