Tight and fatigued quads

[runonemore]

Hello. Five years ago, I was logging high mileage running and training for marathons. I overexerted myself and my quads became extremely fatigued. Since then, I have felt some tightness and fatigue in my quads even when I walk during the course of a day. The fatigue appears just above the kneecaps. I attepted to run once again and felt the symptoms in my quads and also in my hips. Does anyone know the medical term for this condition and how it can be remedied? On a very rare day my legs feel 'normal', but I want them to feel that way all the time.

Thank you.

[Heidi]

Hi,
It sounds to me like a muscle imbalance problem if there was no incident and these feeling just gradually came on?

I would get an assessment to check the strength and flexibility of the thigh and hip muscles. A weakness in the gluteal muscles particularly can cause overuse of the quadriceps and the tight, aching feeling just above the knee as the quads try to balance out the excessive internal rotation due to weak gluts. If that makes sense!

I would get a full assessment and you will probably need some massage and stretching, followed by glut strengthening. Also get the feet checked.

For stretching ideas, look here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/knee/jumpersknee/stretchjumpersknee.php

I hope this helps,