Quadriceps Femoris Group

Pointer Plus The Pointer Plus is an easy to use trigger point (TP) locator which incorporates a push button stimulation feature to immediately treat Trigger point pain.

The Quadriceps Femoris Group is located in the anterior thigh and is made up of the Rectus Femoris, Vastus Lateralis, Vastus Medialis, and Vastus Intermedius.

The Quadriceps Femoris Group is frequently referred to as the Quads.

Vastus Medialis

Anatomical Attachments:

• Origin: Attaches to the distal ½ of the intertrochanteric line, to the proximal part of the medial supracondylar line, to the medial intermuscular septum, and to the tendon of the adductor magnus.
• Insertion: Attaches to the quadriceps femoris tendon, and the base of the patella, to the capsule of the knee joint, by the ligamentum patellae into the tibial tuberosity.

Action: Extends the legs and stabilizes the patella.

Synergist: Rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius.

Antagonist: Gastrocnemius, Popliteus, Gracilis, and Sartorius.

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Nerve Supply: Muscular branches of the femoral nerve (L2, L3, L4).

Vascular supply: Muscular branches of the femoral, the profunda femoris and the genicular branches of the popliteal arteries.

• Primary: The pain refers to the anterior knee and into the inferior thigh.
• Satellite or associated triggers: Peroneus longus, Gluteus medius, Adductor Muscles, Rectus femoris, and Tensor fasciae latae.

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Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Buckling of the knee, persistent deep aching pain in the knee joint, sleeping with a pillow between the knees eases the pain.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Persistent pronation of the foot, direct trauma to the knee, excessive kneeling, running.

Differential Diagnosis: Tendinitis, Bursitis, Chondromalacia patellae, Floating Patella, Knee effusion, Patella fracture, Subluxation/dislocation of the knee, Buckling knee (trick knee), Sprain/Strain of the thigh or knee, Charcot’s arthropathy, gout, Infectious arthritis, Osteoarthritis, Osteomyelitis, Reiter’s Syndrome, Rheumatoid Arthritis, (Segmental, Subluxation, Somatic dysfunction) L2 L3 or L4 radiculopathy, Bone cancer, Bone fracture, Phantom leg pain with above knee amputation, Degenerative joint disease, ACL or PCL sprain or tears, Torn meniscus (cartilage), Patella femoral dysfunction, Saphenous nerve entrapment, Iliotibial tract friction syndrome, Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

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