Patella and the quads, no, not a funky band name, although they do work together.
Patella and the quads — no, not a funky band name. Although they do work very closely together!
The canine quadriceps and patella form an important part of your dog’s movement. Together, they help your dog extend and stabilise the stifle, or knee joint.
The quadriceps sit at the front of the thigh. They are actually a group of four muscles: rectus femoris, vastus lateralis, vastus medialis and vastus intermedius.
Together, these muscles form the main extensor group of the canine stifle.
The four canine quadriceps muscles
Rectus femoris
This is the only quadriceps muscle that originates from the pelvis. It arises from the ilium, just in front of the hip joint.
It crosses both the hip and stifle. Therefore, it helps to flex the hip as well as extend the stifle.
Vastus lateralis
The vastus lateralis sits on the outer side of the thigh. It originates from the proximal femur and helps to extend the stifle.
Vastus medialis
This muscle sits on the inner side of the thigh. It also originates from the proximal femur and works with the other quadriceps to extend the stifle.
Vastus intermedius
This is the deepest of the four quadriceps muscles. It lies against the front of the femur, underneath the rectus femoris.
How do the canine quadriceps and patella work together?
The four quadriceps come together at the patella, or kneecap. The patella sits within the quadriceps tendon.
Below the patella, the patellar ligament continues down to the tibial tuberosity.
This arrangement transfers the force generated by the quadriceps across the stifle. As a result, the muscles can extend and help stabilise the joint during movement.
The patella sits within the trochlear groove of the femur. However, the quadriceps don’t control its stability alone.
The shape and alignment of the bones also play an important role. The joint capsule, fascia and other surrounding soft tissues contribute too.
Why are the quadriceps important in canine massage?
The quadriceps play an important role in movement and stifle stability. For this reason, I pay attention to their tone, comfort and function during massage.
This can be particularly relevant when a dog’s movement or activity levels have changed.
Muscular tension doesn’t automatically mean there’s a problem with the patella. Massage also isn’t a treatment for conditions such as patellar luxation.
However, appropriate massage and bodywork can support comfortable movement and healthy soft tissues.
If your dog is limping or showing persistent discomfort, speak to your vet. I would also recommend veterinary assessment if you notice a significant change in how your dog moves.