The vastus lateralis muscle
This muscle is located on the side of the thigh. This muscle is the largest of the quadriceps group (often called quads) which also includes the rectus femoris, the vastus intermedius, and the vastus medialis. Collectively, the quadriceps muscle is the largest in the human body and its purpose is to extend the knee. The specific task of the vastus lateralis muscle is to extend the lower leg and allow the body to rise up from a squatting position.
Trigger points in three of the four quadricep muscles are the kingpins behind many cases of knee pain and dysfunction. The vastus lateralis trigger points refer pain to the outside of the thigh, knee, and upper lower leg. They may also cause the “stuck patella” or “locked knee cap” conditions in which the knee cap fails to track up and down naturally during movements of the knee. While the pain from the other quadriceps trigger points is focused only on the knee joint, the vastus lateralis trigger points may also project pain to the outside of the thigh, which may also be confused with IT Band syndrome.
What are the pain and symptoms associated with the vastus lateralis?
- Knee pain
- Pain on the side of the thigh extending down into the front and back of the knee
- Pain under the buttock extending toward the hip joint
- Pain occasionally descends into the back of the calf
- Locked knee
- Extended walking increases pain in the thigh and knee
Fun Facts about vastus lateralis
- It is the largest of the quadriceps muscles
- Everyone has trigger points in the vastus lateralis.
- ‘Growing pains’ in the knees and hips of children can often be traced to the vastus lateralis
Sources:
- Vastus Lateralis. healthline.com.
- Vastus Lateralis Trigger Points: The Knee Pain Trigger Points, triggerpointtherapist.com
- Vastus Lateralis Muscle: Hip, Thigh, Knee Pain, thewellnessdigest.com
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