Vastus Medialis
Original Editor - Evan Thomas
Top Contributors - George Prudden, Evan Thomas, Kim Jackson, Vidya Acharya, Joao Costa, WikiSysop, Abbey Wright, Lucinda hampton and Kirenga Bamurange Liliane
Description
Vastus medialis is one of the four muscles that make up the quadriceps group of muscles. It originates from the upper part of the femoral shaft and inserts as a flattened tendon into the quadriceps femoris tendon, which inserts into the upper border of the patella.
Origin
Lower half of the intertrochanteric lines, medial lip of linea aspera, upper part of medial supracondylar line, medial intermuscular septum, tendons of adductor magnus and adductor longus[1].
Insertion
The fibers run downward and forwards, attaching to an aponeurosis located on the deep surface of the muscle.[2] They then insert into the medial border of the patella and the quadriceps femoris tendon which inserts into the tibial tuberosity. Some fibres spread into the capsule of the knee-joint. [1][2]
Nerve
A branch from the posterior division of the femoral nerve, derived from L2, 3 and 4.[1]
Artery
Femoral artery and branches from the profunda femoris artery.
Function
Vastus medialis, together with the other muscles that make up quadriceps femoris, extends the knee joint [1] and it also contributes to correct tracking of the patella.[3]
Clinical relevance
Weakness of the vastus medials is associated with patellar maltracking and patellofemoral pain. An approach to treatment attempts to restore balance between vastus medialis and lateralis, which requires strengthening of the oblique fibres of medialis, as well as assessment of the degree of dynamic supination and pronation of the foot.[4]
VMO strengthening has become less popular approach to the treatment of anterior knee pain as the evidence supporting isolated exercises has been criticised for its poor quality.[5][6][7][8] Furthermore researchers doubt the existence of VMO[9] and have found that any quadricep exercise will similarly activate the vastus muscles.[10] Strengthening further up the kinetic chain has been suggested as more effective approach, Khayambashi et al. found that hip strengthening was more effective for improving patellofemoral pain than knee strengthening.[11]
Assessment
Palpation
It can be palpated along its entire length. Distally, the quadriceps tendon can be palpated attaching to the proximal border (base) of the patella.
Treatment
Resources
References
- ↑ 1.0 1.1 1.2 1.3 Vastus Medialis Wheeless' Textbook of Orthopaedics Accessed from https://www.wheelessonline.com/joints/vastus-medialis/ (31/7/2026)
- ↑ 2.0 2.1 8b. The Muscles and Fasciæ of the Thigh. bartleby. Accessed from https://www.bartleby.com/lit-hub/anatomy-of-the-human-body/8b-the-muscles-and-fasci-of-the-thigh (31/7/2026)
- ↑ Vastus Medialis. Available from: https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Vastus_medialis (Accessed, 21/07/2021).
- ↑ Werner S. Anterior knee pain: an update of physical therapy. Knee Surgery, Sports Traumatology, Arthroscopy. 2014 Oct 1;22(10):2286-94.
- ↑ Crossley K, Bennell K, Green S, McConnell J. A systematic review of physical interventions for patellofemoral pain syndrome. Clinical Journal of Sport Medicine. 2001 Apr 1;11(2):103-10.
- ↑ Heintjes EM, Berger MY, Bierma-Zeinstra SM, Bernsen RM, Verhaar JA, Koes BW. Exercise therapy for patellofemoral pain syndrome. Cochrane Database Syst Rev. 2003 Jan 1;4.
- ↑ Rodriguez-Merchan EC. Evidence based conservative management of patello-femoral syndrome. Archives of Bone and Joint Surgery. 2014 Mar;2(1):4.
- ↑ Seeley MK, Park J, King D, Hopkins JT. A novel experimental knee-pain model affects perceived pain and movement biomechanics. Journal of athletic training. 2013 May;48(3):337-45.
- ↑ Smith TO, Nichols R, Harle D, Donell ST. Do the vastus medialis obliquus and vastus medialis longus really exist? A systematic review. Clinical anatomy. 2009 Mar 1;22(2):183-99.
- ↑ Smith TO, Bowyer D, Dixon J, Stephenson R, Chester R, Donell ST. Can vastus medialis oblique be preferentially activated? A systematic review of electromyographic studies. Physiotherapy theory and practice. 2009 Jan 1;25(2):69-98.
- ↑ Khayambashi K, Fallah A, Movahedi A, Bagwell J, Powers C. Posterolateral hip muscle strengthening versus quadriceps strengthening for patellofemoral pain: a comparative control trial. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2014 May 1;95(5):900-7.