Muscles
Rectus femoris
Two-joint quadriceps: flexes the hip and extends the knee.
Overview
Two-joint quadriceps: flexes the hip and extends the knee. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.
Trigger point locations
Anterior thigh from AIIS to the patella.
Referred pain pattern
Anterior knee pain and night-time anterior thigh pain.
Palpation & testing
Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.
Common causes
Sprinting, kicking, prolonged hip flexion.
Self-care & clinical treatment
Hip flexor stretches, eccentric quad loading. Clinically: needling.
Symptoms commonly linked
References
- • Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction