What Is The Vastus Lateralis
The vastus lateralis is the largest muscle in your quadriceps, which is a group of 4 muscles, located in your upper leg. The vastus lateralis muscle is located on the outside of your thigh and connects from your butt to your knee cap. It’s also the most visible muscle in the group creating a sweeping look across your leg. All of the muscles in your quadriceps connect to your knee cap and are responsible for extension of the knee. The more powerful the muscles in the quadriceps become the harder you can kick. That’s an easy way to think about how the increase in strength would affect your everyday.
The other three muscles included in the quadriceps are the rectus femoris, vastus intermedius, and vastus medialis. Because each muscle in the quadriceps has its own origination point, each muscle in the group is given a unique name. Each muscle connects to the knee and this group of muscles creates the strongest and leanest muscle in the body, the quadriceps. The vastus lateralis is the largest muscle in the group and also the most visual. It creates a powerful look in those who have taken the time to strengthen this group of muscles.
Vastus Lateralis Pain
Each muscle in the quadriceps will have its own unique type of pain in specific locations. The vastus lateralis will create pain on the outer part of the leg extending down towards your knee cap and upwards toward your hip. The pain can on occasion extend all the way to your calf but that is rarer. This muscle is the number one cause of pain while you are growing up. We have all heard the term growing pains when we were little, well this muscle is the primary culprit. In adults it’s also a pain dealer, causing the knee to feel tight and general distress to the knee area.
If you injured your vastus lateralis you would feel a sharp pain around the front of your thigh. This applies to all other muscles involved with the quadriceps. If the injury is minor you would experience a small amount of pain that may subside over time. You would likely be able to continue your activities through the pain. If the injury is more severe you would need to consult your doctor. The pain would be more severe with weakness in the leg and maybe even muscle spasms.