Review Question - QID 3060

This patient has a quadriceps contusion. Acute management includes cold compression and immobilization in flexion. Surveillance for compartment syndrome is needed acutely and chronic manifestations include myositis ossificans. Iliac crest contusions or “hip pointers” occur after direct trauma and benefit from placing the affected leg in extension. Athletic pubalgia or “sports hernia” is an injury to the muscles of the abdominal wall or adductor longus that produces anterior pelvis and groin pain in the absence of a true inguinal hernia.

The references by Ryan et al and Aronen et al are studies of soldiers sustaining quadriceps contusions treated with hyperflexion of the knee and cold compresses. The average time of disability was 3-13 days between the 2 studies. There was a 5% and 9% rate of myositis ossificans, respectively.

Illustration A depicts the position of immobilization for quadriceps contusion treatment.