In House M.D., which muscle suffered the infarction that caused House’s permanent limp?

In House M.D., an infarction in House’s quadriceps muscle caused his permanent limp.

House explains that the infarction damaged muscle in his thigh, leaving him with chronic pain and reduced mobility. He uses a cane and takes pain medication, particularly Vicodin, as he continues working as a diagnostician.

The injury is central to House’s characterization rather than a minor visual detail. His physical pain contributes to his irritability, dependence on medication, and complicated attitude toward patients whose symptoms are difficult to understand. The show gradually reveals more about the event and its consequences.

The quadriceps is a group of muscles at the front of the thigh, not the lower leg. This is why answers such as calf or hamstring are medically related but do not match the specific injury described in the series.