Vastus Medialis Muscle : Anatomy, Function, Exercise

The Vastus medialis muscle is a part of the quadriceps muscle in the human body. It is located in the thigh and runs from the femur to the patella and tibia. The Vastus medialis muscle is also called the vastus medialis obliquus and is one of the four muscles which make up the quadriceps muscle. The other three muscles are the rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, and vastus intermedius.

Vastus Medialis Muscle Anatomy :

The muscle is a large quadriceps muscle located on the inner side of the thigh, also known as the teardrop muscle. It is the most medial of the three muscles of the quadriceps (thigh) group. It is located in front of the rectus femoris and behind the vastus lateralis.
The muscle is responsible for straightening the knee joint.It is part of the extensor mechanism of the knee.

The muscle is more fully work when the knee is at a nearly 30 angle, especially when the leg is partially extended. Therefore, quadriceps exercises that involve a last 30 degree of angle motion exercise are the best to strengthen this muscle.

Physiotherapist focus more on strengthening of Vastus medialis as compared to other Quadriceps group of muscle mainly due to it’s work on end range of knee extension (Last 30 Degree Knee Extension).

Origin :

The muscle originates from a continuous line of attachment on the femur(intertrochanteric line, with the spiral line to the medial lip of the linea aspera), which starts on the front and middle side (anteromedially) of the femur.

Insertion :

It continues down and back (posteroinferiorly) along the pectineal line and then descends along the medial side of lip of the linea aspera and onto the medial supracondylar line of the femur. The fibers makes the medial part of the quadriceps tendon and enveloping medial border of the patella, then inserted into the tibial tuberosity.

Nerve Supply :

Femoral Nerve (A branch from the posterior division) – Nerve Root are from L2, 3 and 4.

Blood Supply :

Femoral artery and the profunda femoris artery branches supplies the blood and nutrients to muscles.

Function

Vastus medialis, together with the other Quadriceps muscles, extends the knee joint and it also helps to maintain patellae medially. Last 30 Knee Extension where they function predominantly.

Vastus medialis obliquus (VMO) vs Vastus medialis longus :

The muscle functionally divided into 2 main two groups of fibers has been hypothesized (catogaries) – A long and relatively medial group of fibres with the quadriceps ligament, Named- vastus medialis longus; and a shorter and more obliquely group of fibres, the vastus medialis obliquus(VMO). However there is insufficient evidence to overall confirm this hypothesis.

Vastus Medialis Muscle Exercise :

The muscle exercise are mainly Strengthening and stretching exercise.

Strengthening exercise of Vastus Medialis muscle :

Static Quadriceps Exercise (SQE):

This exercise helps to maintain strength of muscle, also helpful in acute injury and pain.

In supine lying position with your knee slightly flexed and put small towel underneath your knee, After try to press towel with the help of knee muscles and hold for 4 to 10 seconds then relax (as seen in images).

Do 8 to 10 repetitions of 3 sets, 4 to 5 times in a week.

Full Squat Exercise :

This exercise is the best easy to do home exercise.

• To do this exercise, take proper standing position on flat firm surface, with keep your both arm straight in line of your shoulder.
• Gradually flex the knee while keep your back as straight as you keep and flex the Hip and knee fully and Hold for 2 to 5 seconds and then up to starting position.
• First day perform 5 repetition and gradually increase repetition as your stamina increases.

Stretching exercise :

Side-Lying Quadriceps Stretch :

The side-lying quadriceps stretch is a easy to perform stretching exercise to keep your quads flexible. Take side-lying position on the floor in a soft mat – supported position can help you focus in on the stretch in your quadriceps muscle.

How to do the side-lying quad stretch?

• Side-lying on your side.
• Bend the knee of your top leg as far as possible.
• Maintain position for 8-15 seconds, Then relax
• Repeat exercise 5 to 8 more times with alternate leg.

Clinical Importance :

Vastus medialis muscle is also associated with patellar shifting laterally and patellofemoral pain. An treatment goal is to restore balance between vastus medialis and lateralis, which requires strengthening of the oblique fibres of vastus medialis (VMO).

Vastus Medialis muscle strengthening has become less popular approach to the treatment of patello-femoral knee pain, However the evidence shows that isolated exercises has been criticised for its poor results. However researchers doubt the existence of Vastus medialis obliquues and have found that any quadricep exercise will similarly activate the vastus muscles. Strengthening exercise in the kinetic chain has been suggested as more effective treatment, Khayambashi et al. suggested that hip strengthening was more effective for improving patellofemoral pain than knee strengthening.