Quad strain...

Somehow I've managed to do it AGAIN, to the OTHER leg this time :o :( I know I've been very active these past two weeks but was careful to rest a little more than usual. Apparently I've pulled something toward the top of my left quad - probably zigged when I should have zagged when that muscle was under stress. Oddly enough this is the leg with no over-use injuries...oh well, I would rather have problems from being active - than the very different problems that come from not being so.

It appears to either be the rectus femoris or the sartorius - can't quite tell. It is pretty far up the thigh, probably the sartorius. I can feel tenderness when I lay my hand on my thigh, and it feels tight when I walk. I didn't realize there was a problem until I ran in class tonight as part of a challenge. I've already canceled a ride I was planning with someone tomorrow night :(

I've some Tiger Balm and some Biofreeze - would either of those actually help or just make it seem like it? I think if I am smart these next couple of days it will be fine. Icing has begun already.

Is there anything I am missing? I've checked out a couple of medical sites and they seem to recommend ice only for a few days - not heat. I will decide in the morning if I need to call in sick and continue with the ice treatment tomorrow.

I told you not to overstride... ;) Seriously, though, this sounds like the sort of thing I dealt with as a new runner when I was trying to run faster than my fitness would allow and was trying to force a longer stride (30" inseam legs aren't meant for long strides, heh).

Ice it, rest it, see how it is after a few days.

Ice, possibly followed by heat once the swelling goes down (I find muscles tell you what they want), and rest.

Tiger Balm and the rest of those topical treatments exist to detract from the sensation of pain; Tiger Balm's ingredients include camphor and menthol (cooling sensation) and clove oil (topical analgesic).

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Originally Posted by zoom-zoom

I told you not to overstride... ;) Seriously, though, this sounds like the sort of thing I dealt with as a new runner when I was trying to run faster than my fitness would allow and was trying to force a longer stride (30" inseam legs aren't meant for long strides, heh).

Ice it, rest it, see how it is after a few days.

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I only have 29" inseams :o I hadn't thought about this, this is probably the cause. I was, however, trying last night to have a shorter stride. I did hit it REALLY hard the last time I ran though, this is likely related to that. That was before the discussion in the running thread. At least it is a different leg :rolleyes:

Hopefully I can ride Sunday, but we shall see. I am determined this isn't going to turn until another long-term injury!

Things are a bit better today. Still icing ever 4 hours or so for 15 minutes and taking ibuprofen. I think it is indeed the hip flexor, it is better but still sore to a firm touch. For some reason my hip flexors appear to be prone to being cranky :rolleyes: Zoom-Zoom was right about the dangers of over-striding! I just took a gentle walk with no real problems, even jogged a couple of steps to test it and was fine so I don't think any real damage has been done as long as I treat it properly now.

What is really frustrating is that it is in the 70s outside today! Yes, you read right - overcast, cool and temps in the 70s after weeks and weeks of very high temps. I really want to ride...though would likely catch a chill after riding in 100 degree temps just the other day! This would have been a perfect long ride day... 75 degrees right now, forecasts of 90 tomorrow and 96 Sunday.