Lateral thigh is a safe spot pretty much all the way down to the bottom of the vastus lateralis. You can hit a lateral perforator at around 4-6 inches below the vastus ridge (the indentation just below the greater trochanter at the top of the femur) which could cause some bleeding.
As far as safety more medially, I would not suggest going more medial than an imaginary line drawn straight down from the anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS). You run the risk of hitting the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve of the thigh, which can hurt like hell and cause numbness to the upper later thigh. More medial to this, you could hit the femoral artery or vein, but you'd have to be way medial for this. Just feel for your own pulse up in the groin to give you an idea of how medial this big sucker is.
I think the easiest of all injections is the vastus medialis (the "teardrop") down by the knee. You can pin it in a sitting position, too. This is the spot I was pinning once under my desk when my secretary walked right into my office. There I am with my pants down and the pin sticking straight out of my thigh. She put something on my desk and just walked right out! Anyway, the first time you do this one, be prepared for some serious pain at the 24-48 hour mark, but once you get used to it it's a breeze.
Freak I love your stuff, but can you Dumb it Down a little? I got more real med books than most steroid bozos but this post is a trophy! Remember your dealing w/ idiots.
