An explainer on Corks

Quadriceps contusion or a ‘cork thigh’, as it is commonly known, is the result of a severe impact to the thigh which consequently compresses against the hard surface of the femur (thigh bone).

This often causes deep rupture to the muscle tissue and haemorrhage occurs, which is followed by inflammation. Such an injury can also occur in other body regions such as the calf or upper arm; however these are less common than in the thigh region.

This injury is often experienced in contact sports such
as Australian football and rugby, or sports such as cricket, hockey or lacrosse where a hard ball or object may strike the thigh of a player.