Muscles

Vastus medialis

Extends the knee; oblique fibers (VMO) stabilize the patella medially.

Referred pain map

Vastus medialis — TrP1 in the vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) just above the medial knee refers pain focally to the anteromedial knee and can cause the 'buckling knee' with sudden give-way; TrP2 higher in the muscle belly refers a deep ache along the antero-medial thigh — a common source of persistent medial knee pain misattributed to meniscus or MCL problems.

Overview

Extends the knee; oblique fibers (VMO) stabilize the patella medially. Trigger points here are common in everyday and athletic populations and frequently contribute to the referred pain patterns described below.

Trigger point locations

Anteromedial thigh just above the medial knee.

Referred pain pattern

Medial knee pain that buckles unexpectedly.

Palpation & testing

Palpate the muscle belly along its accessible course. Reproduction of the patient's familiar pain on palpation supports involvement.

Common causes

Patellofemoral overload, post-surgical disuse.

Self-care & clinical treatment

Terminal knee extension, step-down drills. Clinically: needling.

Symptoms commonly linked

Anterior knee pain
Medial knee pain
Patellar tracking pain

References

• Travell & Simons — Myofascial Pain and Dysfunction