Synonyms
Distension of the thigh
Definition
The term “thigh strain” refers to the process of a non-physiological stretching of the muscles of the thigh. Muscle strains such as the thigh strain are among the most common sports injuries of all. People who practice sports that are characterized by a rapid and abrupt change of direction are particularly at risk.
With regard to all muscle groups, the thigh muscles are particularly often affected by a pulled muscle. The strain on the thigh can affect both the rear muscle groups (for example, the flexor muscles) and the front muscle groups (for example, the extensor muscles). In direct comparison, the strain on the rear muscle groups of the thigh is much more frequent.
In most cases, the reason for the occurrence of a thigh strain is overstraining or excessive stretching of the affected muscles. Depending on its severity, the strain of the thigh is divided clinically into different degrees. People affected by a thigh strain usually feel a sudden shooting pain in the thigh area.
While a 1st degree thigh strain usually heals without complications, the smallest bleedings under the cracks in 2nd and 3rd degree thigh strains often cause pronounced bruising (haematomas). Ideally, the treatment of a pulled thigh should begin immediately after its development. For this reason, affected patients should cool the thigh immediately with a coolant.
By cooling the affected thigh, the pain can be relieved and bleeding into the muscle can be prevented as far as possible. However, the coolant must never be applied directly to the skin surface. After carefully cooling the thigh strain, a compression bandage should be applied over a period of about twenty minutes.
- Grade 1: Muscles overstretched or torn muscle fibers
- Grade 2: Damage to several muscle fibers
- Grade 3: complete muscle damaged
Causes
The thigh strain is basically a protective reaction of the affected muscle to excessive strain. During the pulling process, the muscle contracts and hardens. In this context, the forces that suddenly act on the muscle and stretch it unexpectedly are particularly relevant.
For this reason, the causes of thigh strains are mostly found in sports. In most of those affected, the thigh strain occurs in the area of the rear thigh. The corresponding musculature runs from the ischial tuberosity to both sides of the knee joint.
In the hip itself, the corresponding muscles act as extenders, moving the leg backwards. In the knee joint, however, they act as flexor muscles. However, the most important function of the rear thigh muscles is to stabilize the body during walking and running.
Suddenly occurring forces are absorbed by the flexible muscle mass in order to reduce the impact on the joint capsule and ligaments. Rapid changes in direction and particularly high loads, however, ensure that the load and elasticity limits of the corresponding muscles are quickly reached. The overstretching of a muscle (thigh strain) is mainly triggered when the force acting on the muscle exceeds the force of the muscle itself.
The degree of muscle damage that occurs in this case depends on the extent of the overloading. In some cases, the load and elasticity limit is exceeded to such an extent that the capsule and ligament tissue is additionally affected. In addition to the physical causes of the thigh strain, the physical conditions of the affected patient also play a decisive role.
In general, it can be assumed that an untrained muscle reacts much worse to suddenly occurring forces than a trained muscle. The reason for this is the fact that the untrained muscle lacks both the necessary strength and coordination. Another reason for the occurrence of a thigh strain is poor warming up before the sporting effort. A “cold” muscle has been proven to have a significantly lower load and elastic limit.In addition, an optimized technique during exercise can significantly reduce the probability of a thigh strain developing. In this context, the sequence of fast changes of direction and the behavior during a fall play a decisive role.
