Vastus Lateralis: Difference between revisions

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*'''Standing '''
*'''Standing '''


Stand on one leg and pull the other foot up behind your bottom<br>Keep your knees together and push your hips forwards to increase the stretch <br>Hold for between 10 and 30 seconds  
Stand on one leg and pull the other foot up behind your bottom<br>Keep your knees together and push your hips forwards to increase the stretch <br>Hold for between 10 and 30 seconds&nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp; &nbsp;&nbsp;  
 
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*'''Lying'''
*'''Lying'''


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


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== Clinical relevance ==


=== Strengthening  ===
=== Patellofemoral pain syndrome ===
 
Some evidence has shown that in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome vastus lateralis fires prematurely when compared with vastus medialis which has been hypothesised to be a cause of knee pain. <ref>Cowan SM, Bennell KL, Hodges PW, Crossley KM, McConnell J. [https://www.sciencedirect.com/science/article/pii/S0003999301747375 Delayed onset of electromyographic activity of vastus medialis obliquus relative to vastus lateralis in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome]. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2001 Feb 1;82(2):183-9.</ref>
*'''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.<br>Curl the legs up until you reach the top position.<br>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.<br>Place feet about shoulder width apart (or where comfortable) with toes pointed out slightly.<br>Squat down until there is about a 90 degree angle in the knee joint as shown in the illustration.<br>Push back up until you are back in the starting position.<br>Repeat for recommended reps.
 
== Clinical relevance ==


== References  ==
== References  ==

Revision as of 23:15, 25 October 2018

Vastus lateralis in relation to the rest of the thigh musculature

Description[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

Origin[edit | edit source]

Upper inter-trochanteric line, base of greater trochanter, lateral linea aspera, lateral supracondylar ridge and lateral intermuscular septum[1]

Insertion[edit | edit source]

Lateral quadriceps tendon which attached onto the tibial tubercle.[1]

Nerve Supply[edit | edit source]

Posterior division of femoral nerve (L3,4)

Blood Supply[edit | edit source]

Lateral circumflex femoral artery 

[2]

Function[edit | edit source]

Actions[edit | edit source]

1. Extension of the knee

Functional contributions[edit | edit source]

In everyday life, the quadriceps muscle group as a whole allows a person to stand up from sitting, walk up or down stairs along with basic walking and running. These muscles are not active while standing with knees fully extending, but become active during the heel-strike and toe-off phases of gait.[3]

Assessment[edit | edit source]

Palpation[edit | edit source]

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[edit | edit source]

  • 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                                              

  • Lying

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

Clinical relevance[edit | edit source]

Patellofemoral pain syndrome[edit | edit source]

Some evidence has shown that in patients with patellofemoral pain syndrome vastus lateralis fires prematurely when compared with vastus medialis which has been hypothesised to be a cause of knee pain. [4]

References[edit | edit source]

  1. 1.0 1.1 Gray HFRS, Gray's Anatomy 15th edition, New York, NY: Barnes & Noble,2010. p396-398
  2. Kenhub - Learn human anatomy. Functions of the vastus lateralis muscle (preview) - Human 3D Anatomy | Kenhub. Available from: https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=_9xLctoEIXs [last accessed: 28/08/2018]
  3. Bohm S, Marzilger R, Mersmann F, Santuz A, Arampatzis A. Operating length and velocity of human vastus lateralis muscle during walking and running. Scientific reports. 2018 Mar 22;8(1):5066.
  4. Cowan SM, Bennell KL, Hodges PW, Crossley KM, McConnell J. Delayed onset of electromyographic activity of vastus medialis obliquus relative to vastus lateralis in subjects with patellofemoral pain syndrome. Archives of physical medicine and rehabilitation. 2001 Feb 1;82(2):183-9.