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 Lateralis

Anatomical Attachments:

• Origin: Attaches to the proximal part of the intertrochanteric line, the anterior and inferior margins of the greater trochanter to the gluteal tuberosity and the linea aspera on the posterior femur.
• Insertion: Attaches to the lateral border by the patella, by the ligamentum patellae into the tibial tuberosity.

Action: Extends the leg at the knee and pulls the patella laterally.

Synergist: Rectus femoris, vastus intermedius and vastus medialis.

Antagonist: Gastrocnemius, Popliteus, Gracilis, and Sartorius.

Click for Muscle Test 

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

Vascular supply: Lateral femoral circumflex artery.

• Primary: The pain refers to the lateral aspect of the hip, thigh and knee, and occasionally the calf.
• Satellite or associated triggers: Gluteus minimus.

Click on a small image to view an enlarged image

Trigger Point Signs and Symptoms: Pain in the thigh experienced during walking, there is an inability to sleep on the affected side, and there is a difficulty in flexing the knee after sitting for prolonged periods.

Trigger Point Activating and Perpetuating Factors: Mechanical overload of the muscles, sitting for prolong periods of time with their legs straight, direct trauma to the lateral thigh.

Differential Diagnosis: Tendinitis, Bursitis, Locking patella syndrome, 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, Osteoporosis, 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), Quadriceps muscle tear, Patella femoral dysfunction, Saphenous nerve entrapment, Iliotibial tract friction syndrome, Reflex Sympathetic Dystrophy (Complex Regional Pain Syndrome), Systemic lupus Erythematosus, Fibromyalgia, Eosinophilic fasciitis, Tetanus, Systemic infections or inflammation, Nutritional inadequacy, Metabolic imbalance, Toxicity, Side effects of medication.

Back to Top