Muscle injury question.

[de8212]

I started playing softball several weeks ago. The first practice was on a Wednesday
and I didn't even get sore the next day. But on Saturday I had an instant severe pain shoot through both of my upper legs. I was just sitting at a desk, not doing anything physical.
Looking online I believe it's the quadriceps.

I immediately started taking motrin and began icing both thighs over the the next few days. Then I alternated ice and a heating pad. Also bought some Icy Hot (sports cream??)and tried it.
A few days later I went to the next pactice. It was almost immediately obvious I could not run whatsoever. Too much pain.

So, I took a week off and went to the first game. Didn't play. By then my legs actually felt
pretty good. BTW I was stretching several times a day. Bending the leg at the knee behind me and grabbing the foot w/my hand. So, that night I went out and did some light jogging and even a moderate sprint. All in all, less than a mile but I didn't want to push it. Still, no pain.

So, I decided to try and play the next game. Again, it was almost immediate that the pain was still there. I didn't even do alot of running. Maybe some side to side (I played 3rd base) movements. The only good thing is that it's only the right leg now.

So, what should I do now? Just completely stop playing for several weeks? Keep stretching? Keep icing/heating? Keep taking motrin, etc.? Is there any kind of massaging to help expedite recovery? Do I need to see a Dr.? When will I know it's OK to play?

BTW the pain is in the upper thigh if that's important. And it's so painful in the first few days of the injury I have no strength in my upper legs. For example, when driving,
I have to use my hand behind my knee to help raise my foot off the gas pedal to go to the brake pedal. No problems pressing the brake or gas though. So, it definately seems to be the muscle.

And I don't know if I initially did it on the first practice by runing fast or by suddenly running/stopping.

Also, before this incident, I did ride my mountain bike periodically and I have been jogging on/off for several years so I would have thought I was in decent enough shape not to have this happen.

[Heidi]

Hi
From what you have said I would guess that it is either the Rectus Femoris musclce (one of the quads), or the Iliopsoas (a hip flexor a bit higher up). However, it may be an injury to the actual muscle, or it may be a referred pain coming from elsewhere (most commonly the buttock or spine).
My advice is to visit a spors injury professional as this kind of problem can be more complex than it appears. If it is just a muscle problem then they can treat this with some soft tissue work and a rehab program.
If it is more complex and coming from higher up then it may require other treatment so I would definately get it checked out, even if its just to be on the safe side.

[de8212]

Thank you for the reply, Heidi.


I will take your advice into consideration. Just out of curiosity, how can something like this be diagnosed? Would x-rays show something or would it be an MRI or some other test?

Also, last night I was on my knees working on something (no pain) and I kinda bent over at the waist. When I straightened back up and I felt something pop in my right thigh. It was a very weird feeling but not really painful. It's a little more sore today and it is visibly swollen. I wrapped it in an Ace bandage for work today.
Just wanted to mention this in case it might narrow down what exactly is happening.


Thank you again.

[Heidi]

An x-ray wouldn't really be of any use as it is unlikely a bone problem. An MRI may highlight any soft tissue damage if it is a muscle problem at the upper thigh. If it is referred pain then it would not show up in the thigh and may not even show anything up from higher up the chain (i.e. hips, pelvis, lower back etc).

[de8212]

I went ahead and called a sports Dr. last Friday (9/24). They worked me in that afternoon. They did take xrays (just to be safe?). Of course, everything was fine with my bones, etc.

Ended up saying I have a sprain and put me on 6 days of a steroid. I'm on day 5 now. No improvement. Do you think that should have helped it? He kinda acted like it should improve.

Then he gave me a stronger anti-inflammatory but told me to wait to take it after I'm done with the steroid.

Also, I have to go to physical therapy on Thursday so we'll see what happens there.

[Heidi]

I think you will get more benefit from the physical therapy, so wait until you have had a few sessions of this and I'm sure you'll see some improvement!