What physical injury causes Gregory House’s characteristic limp in House M.D.?

A quadriceps infarction causes Gregory House’s characteristic limp in House M.D.

Before the main events of the series, House suffered an infarction in the quadriceps muscle of his right thigh. The muscle tissue died after its blood supply was blocked, leaving him with permanent damage, chronic pain, and a distinctive limp.

House initially underwent a misdiagnosis and later had damaged muscle tissue removed. His disability becomes central to his character: he uses a cane, takes pain medication, and often turns his physical suffering into sarcasm or emotional distance. The injury also explains why his gait is not presented as a simple bone fracture.

The diagnosis is often casually described as a leg injury or muscle damage, but the specific medical term is infarction of the quadriceps. It is not the same as a quadriceps strain, torn tendon, or broken leg. The show uses the backstory to connect House’s medical knowledge with his personal history.