It is one of the fourquadriceps (“quad”) musclesthat are crucial to mobility and weight-bearing activities.

Physical therapy and surgery may be needed in severe cases.

Location and Anatomy

The vastus medialis is located in front of the thigh.

Photo of runner’s quads.

pictorico / Getty Images

To locate your vastus medialis:

Blood is delivered to the VMO muscle via thefemoral artery.

Movement and physical sensations like pain and temperature are controlled by thefemoral nerveconnected to thelumbar (lower) spine.

Physical Therapy

Any severe injury to the vastus medialis will benefit from physical therapy.

Depending on the extent of the injury, treatment should start within three to five days of the injury.

To do the static quad stretch:

To increase the stretch, tilt your hip backward.

Straight Leg Raises

This exercise can be done daily.

Step-Ups

Walking up and down stairs are better exercises than most people realize.

This exercise is a variation that requires a stable box, platform, or step of any sort.

Start at a level where you’ve got the option to step up and down comfortably.

you could hold the back of a chair or the wall for support if needed.

To do step-ups:

you could build strength over time by increasing the height of the platform.

To keep steady, you could hold onto the back of a chair or wall.

Surgeries sometimes for VMO injuries include:

How Long Does Recovery Take?

Most quadriceps injuries take six to eight weeks to recover.

The recovery time is influenced by the extent of the tear and whether you need surgery.

Recovery time following surgery can be as long as four months and even more.

Summary

The vastus medialis oblique (VMO) muscle helps to stabilize your knee and kneecap.

A VMO injury can make it difficult to walk or use stairs due to knee pain.

These injuries can occur due to sports and exercise, or because of trauma to the knee.

Physical therapy and rehabilitation are focused on improving mobility and strength.

you could expect recovery to take about six to eight weeks.

Your healthcare provider will discuss treatment options for your VMO injury.

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American Academy of Orthopedic Surgeons.Quadriceps tendon tear.

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