Quad Pulls

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MUSCLE QUAD PULLS

Every self-respecting ATV’er knows that if you have just shot your Quad over a bodacious snow-ridge, you could bend or bust your shocks or tie rod ends.  And your Quad steering will pull to the left or right afterward. You shouldn’t be shocked if you have just jumped over the big guy at Thursday night ball hockey in order to get a shot on net and you bend or bust your quad muscles.  And you are limping to the left or right soon after the adrenaline wears off.

QUAD WRECKS

Most of the time, you instantly know when you have strained your quads muscle.  You get a sudden, acute pain right smack in the front of your thigh just after you have either accelerated too quickly or decelerated too quickly.  If you have really cranked on your quads, you may get even get some subsequent swelling or bruising. 

QUAD IMBALANCES

Your quad can also get sore after some even pace jogging.  In this case, your quad cramps and pulls because of a power imbalance between your quad and hamstring muscles.  It may be helpful to think of your ATV again.  You know that ATV tires are so soft and flexible that even only 2 to 3 lbs of extra air pressure difference can cause one tire to expand. And, if you have 2 tires with different air pressures, they will be different diameters, causing the tire with more air to "Push" your ATV.  Likewise, a hamstring-quad imbalance can push or pull your quadriceps.

QUAD REPAIRS

Most minor to moderate quad pulls respond well to the QUICK repair approach:

·         QUIT:  stop the sprinting that caused the strain.  This means telling the boys that you will not be going out for your next scheduled shift.

·         USE:  use a tensor bandage and/or a pre-fab compression sleeve over your thigh to minimize swelling.

·         ICE:  apply liberally right after your pull.  If the thermometer outside is minus 30 as it seemed to have been all January, you could just stick your leg outside the door for 10 seconds (just kidding!).

·         COAST:  unless you are making 5 Grr.(US) per ball hockey game, gradually work your way back into back into things.  Run easy without any sudden wind sprints.  Maybe do 15-20 minutes stationary biking at a low resistance.  Include some gentle non-forced stretching into your routine.

·         KICKOFF:  Before you actually get back out into the thick of things, warm-up properly, take your time to stretch,  and tell yourself that if there is increased quads tenderness you will go back to the coast mode for one more week. 

QUAD ESTIMATES

If you’re not sure about the status of your quad machine, and you want a professional opinion, you could always steer yourself into your favorite physical therapy garage for an inspection and estimate.  If you do require therapeutic repairs, he should have you out of the shop and back on the trail or gym floor in no time flat.

Brent Kassian, BScPT, MCPA, MCPTA

Executive Director

Capilano Rehab Centre

phone:  466-1104

check out their groovy website @ www. caprehab.com