Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsAnatomyFunctionConditionsRehabilitationExercises
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Anatomy
Function
Conditions
Rehabilitation
Exercises
Thevastus lateralisis a muscle located on the lateral, or outside, part of your thigh. The muscle is one of the four quadriceps muscles and is the largest muscle of that group.
The function of the vastus lateralis is to work with the other quad muscles to help extend your knee joint. It is also active in maintaining thigh and kneecap position while walking and running.
Anatomy of the Vastus Lateralis
The vastus lateralis is the largest of four quadriceps muscles in your thigh. It is located on the lateral or outside part of the thigh.
Most muscles are attached to bone. These points of attachment are called the origin and insertion points. The vastus lateralis origin and insertion points are as follows:
Function of the Vastus Lateralis
The vastus lateralis muscle works with your otherquadriceps musclesto extend, or straighten, your knee. Functional activities like walking, running, climbing stairs, and rising from a seated position are all accomplished with the quads.
The vastus lateralis and the iliotibial (IT) band—which courses down your lateral thigh next to this muscle—help form the lateral wall of your thigh.
The vastus lateralis directly opposes thevastus medialis muscleon the inner portion of your thigh. These two muscles work together to maintain the appropriate position of yourpatella (kneecap)in the femoral groove of your thigh bone.
Failure of these muscles to function properly may lead to knee pain frompatellofemoralstress syndrome (PFSS).
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Conditions That Affect the Vastus Lateralis
There are many different injuries and conditions that may affect your vastus lateralis and quad muscles, especially if you are an athlete or active adult. These injuries can cause vastus lateralis pain and other problems.
Some of these injuries and conditions include:
If you are having pain or difficulty with walking due to quadriceps weakness, visit your healthcare provider to get an accurate diagnosis of your problem.
Your healthcare provider can diagnose your condition and help guide you in your recovery.
Vastus Lateralis Injury Rehabilitation
Injury to your vastus lateralis or quad muscles may cause pain, swelling of your thigh, or limited walking ability. There are various treatments available that may help you recover after a vastus lateralis injury.
Working with a physical therapist may be helpful when rehabbing vastus lateralis injuries.
Heat and Ice
In the first few days after injury, ice may be applied to your lateral thigh to control pain and decrease swelling and inflammation. Ice should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes; to avoid frost burns, d put or towel or clothing in between the ice and your skin.
Two to three days after injury, you may switch to heat to promote circulation and improve tissue mobility. Heat should be applied for 10 to 15 minutes. Again, care should be taken to avoid burns.
Massage
Massage may be used after a quad or vastus lateralis injury to help decrease pain and promote circulation.
Massage techniques can improve tissue mobility prior to stretching to help improve quadriceps motion.
Vastus Lateralis Excercises
If you have injured your vastus lateralis, your physical therapist may recommend certain exercises to help you regain strength and range of motion.
Stretching
After a vastus lateralis injury, quad stretching may be done to improve mobility and function of the muscle group.
Back Exercises
If femoral nerve irritation coming from your low back is causing your thigh pain or weakness, exercises to release the nerve may be helpful. They may include:
The exercises are designed to get pressure off your lumbar nerve, and postural correction exercises may be done to maintain decompression of the nerve.
Strengthening Exercises
Weakness to your vastus laterals and quads may be causing your injury, and strengthening exercise may be prescribed during your rehab. Exercises may include:
Strengthening exercises should be done two to four times a week with appropriate rest in between sessions.
Be sure to stop any exercise if it causes pain in your vastus lateralis or quad muscle.
Functional Training
Getting back to normal function after a vastus lateralis injury should be your main goal, and your physical therapist may have you engage in functional training to accomplish that goal.
Balance exercises and sport-specific plyometric training may be done to ensure that your quad is functioning normally.
Most injuries to the quadriceps and vastus lateralis muscles heal within six to eight weeks. Your recovery may be shorter or longer depending on the nature of your injury.
Work with your healthcare provider to understand your specific course of rehab. By understanding the anatomy and function of the vastus lateralis, you can properly rehab the muscle after injury.
Summary
The vastus lateralis is the largest of four quadriceps muscles. It is located on the outer portion of your thigh. The vastus lateralis helps you extend your knee joint and maintain the position of your knee when you walk or run.
Injuries to the vastus lateralis include strains, tendinitis, femoral nerve compression, and others. Rehabilitation after an injury usually includes heat and ice, massage, and strength and mobility exercises.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vieira ED.Anatomic study of the portions long and oblique of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles.J Morphol Sci. 2017;28(4):0-.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.UpToDate.Quadriceps muscle and tendon injuries.Ramírez-dela Cruz M, Bravo-Sánchez A, Esteban-García P, Jiménez F, Abián-Vicén J.Effects of plyometric training on lower body muscle architecture, tendon structure, stiffness and physical performance: A systematic review and Metaanalysis.Sports Med Open. 2022;8(1):40. doi:10.1186/s40798-022-00431-0
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Vieira ED.Anatomic study of the portions long and oblique of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles.J Morphol Sci. 2017;28(4):0-.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.UpToDate.Quadriceps muscle and tendon injuries.Ramírez-dela Cruz M, Bravo-Sánchez A, Esteban-García P, Jiménez F, Abián-Vicén J.Effects of plyometric training on lower body muscle architecture, tendon structure, stiffness and physical performance: A systematic review and Metaanalysis.Sports Med Open. 2022;8(1):40. doi:10.1186/s40798-022-00431-0
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Vieira ED.Anatomic study of the portions long and oblique of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles.J Morphol Sci. 2017;28(4):0-.American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.UpToDate.Quadriceps muscle and tendon injuries.Ramírez-dela Cruz M, Bravo-Sánchez A, Esteban-García P, Jiménez F, Abián-Vicén J.Effects of plyometric training on lower body muscle architecture, tendon structure, stiffness and physical performance: A systematic review and Metaanalysis.Sports Med Open. 2022;8(1):40. doi:10.1186/s40798-022-00431-0
Vieira ED.Anatomic study of the portions long and oblique of the vastus lateralis and vastus medialis muscles.J Morphol Sci. 2017;28(4):0-.
American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons.Patellofemoral pain syndrome.
UpToDate.Quadriceps muscle and tendon injuries.
Ramírez-dela Cruz M, Bravo-Sánchez A, Esteban-García P, Jiménez F, Abián-Vicén J.Effects of plyometric training on lower body muscle architecture, tendon structure, stiffness and physical performance: A systematic review and Metaanalysis.Sports Med Open. 2022;8(1):40. doi:10.1186/s40798-022-00431-0
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