Vastus Lateralis


Original Editor ­ Andeela Hafeez Top Contributors - Andeela Hafeez, Abbey Wright, Evan Thomas, Joao Costa, WikiSysop, Kim Jackson and Lucinda hampton


Vastus lateralis in relation to the rest of the thigh musculature

Description

The vastus lateralis muscle is located on the lateral side of the thigh. This muscle is the largest of the quadriceps which includes: rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis. Together, the quadriceps act on the knee and hip to promote movement as well as strength and stability. They provide power for and absorb the impact of daily activities such as walking, running, and jumping.

Anatomy

Origin

Upper inter-trochanteric line, base of greater trochanter, lateral linea aspera, lateral supracondylar ridge and lateral intermuscular septum

Insertion

Lateral quadriceps tendon to patella, via ligamentum patellae into tubercle of tibia

Nerve Supply

Posterior division of femoral nerve (L3,4)

Blood Supply

Lateral circumflex femoral artery 

Function

Actions

1. Extension of the knee

2. Flexion of the hip

Functional contributions

In everyday life, the quadriceps muscle group as a whole functions to allow a person to squat, bend backwards, walk up or down stairs, and move from a standing to a seated position (or vice-versa). These muscles are not active while standing with the knees locked, but become active during the heel-strike and toe-off phases of walking.

Assessment

Palpation

In supine:

1. Place palpating hand distal to greater trochanter
2. Get the patient to actively and isometrically contract quadriceps
3. Palpate the contracting muscle focusing on the lateral side to target vastus lateralis
4. Continue to palpate distally until the quadriceps tendon

Length Tension Testing / Stretching

• Standing 

Stand on one leg and pull the other foot up behind your bottom
Keep your knees together and push your hips forwards to increase the stretch
Hold for between 10 and 30 seconds

                                                  

• Laying

Lay on your front and pull one foot up to meet your buttocks
Hold for between 10 and 30 seconds

                                               

Strengthing

• Leg extension

Sit on the leg extension machine with your back against the pad and feet under the pads. Place the pads just above the feet.
Curl the legs up until you reach the top position.
Lower weight back to starting position. Lower legs should be vertical to the floor.

• Hack squats

Lay back in the hack squat machine with shoulders place on the pads.
Place feet about shoulder width apart (or where comfortable) with toes pointed out slightly.
Squat down until there is about a 90 degree angle in the knee joint as shown in the illustration.
Push back up until you are back in the starting position.
Repeat for recommended reps.

Trigger Point Referral Pattern

Pain may be felt over the full length of the lateral anterior (outside and front) thigh as well as behind the knee. Pain is also sometimes reported to feel like explosions up and down the thigh.A person with TrPs in the lateralis may have a stuck patella with pain that wraps up and around the lateral border of the patella and even up the thigh. TrPs in this muscle also make it painful to lie on the affected side and if done so, will disturb sleep.

Management

• A tennis ball may be used by a person to treat their TrPs by laying on the side and placing the tennis ball between the outer thigh and the surface of the bed/floor.
• Release by massage