Quadriceps Contusion ‘Cork Thigh’ | Physio4Life

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Quadriceps Contusion ‘Cork Thigh’

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17
Jul



   

 

 

  

INJURY TITLE

Quadriceps Contusion ‘Cork Thigh’

 

INJURY OVERVIEW

Very common injury in all contact sports.  Usually follows a direct blow to the front of the thigh and there is an area of intense tenderness – usually made worse by contracting the thigh muscles.

 

INJURY IN-DEPTH INFORMATION

The direct trauma will cause damage to the muscle belly and lead to a bleeding response (much like a cut on your hand for example).  The problem arises as this blood cannot just leak away, so I causes an increase in pressure inside the tissue.  Depending upon the severity of the contusion, the rest period needed can vary from a few days to a good few weeks away from sport or activity.

 

COMMON SIGNS & SYMPTOMS

  • Pain over the impact site – this could be local only or (if severe enough) quite widespread.
  • Difficulty contracting the thigh muscles due to pain
  • If severe enough, weight bearing can be difficult
  • Bruising and swelling may or may not be immediately present.

 

HOW IS IT ASSESSED

  • Clinical examination to determine the exact location of the problem. Knowing this will help with further possible treatments.
  • Ultrasound scanning can also be helpful here to isolate the contusion and determine its size.
  • It is important to determine the severity to guide treatment.

 

 

 

GENERAL TREATMENT

  • Control the muscle bleeding (the first 24 hours are important here, use Rest, Ice, Elevation to help with this).
  • Use of walking aids if weight bearing causes too much pain.
  • Slowly regain any loss of movement range with progressive pain free stretching.
  • Physiotherapy to provide stretching and strengthening and manual therapy
  • Manual therapy should be pain free and must not increase the risk of making the thigh re-bleed.
  • Physiotherapy will help with grading your return to activity.

 

Exercise Videos: i.e.

  • Rotator cuff strengthening
  • Pec stretch
  • etc

 

WHICH HEALTH PROFESSIONAL TO CONSULT

PHYSIO     X

MEDIC     X

PODIATRY     

Put an ‘X’ next to each health professional that most commonly deals with this injury.

i.e. tennis elbow would be Physio and Medic as injections are common, whereas for muscular LBP it would be Physio and not Medic as they would just refer them to a Physio.

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