Muscle Pain in the Thigh

When you feel problems in running, walking, and climbing stairs due to pain in the thigh area, you may be a pain in the thigh muscle. This Thigh muscle pain is produced for too many reasons like after trauma and an injury. But sometimes it happens due to no apparent reasons. You also feel numbness, tingling, and also feel to weakness in the thigh. This pain is reduced by medication, the rice principle, and physiotherapy treatment.

What are the parts of the Thigh?

The thigh is the part of the upper leg that is situated between to hip joint and knee joint.

The thigh consists of several parts like as :

• First of the quadriceps muscles which are situated in the front of the thigh. which is allow to you straightening of the knee joint and bending at the hip joint.
• The hamstring muscles are situated on the backside of the thigh which is allowed to flex to the knee joint.
• Groin muscles are situated on the inner side of the thigh which allows you to pull the leg toward the abdomen.
• The hip muscles, like the gluteus medius, pull the thigh out to the side.
• The thigh includes 3 major nerves and their branches.

Causes of Thigh Muscle Pain

Pinched Spinal Nerve:
When in your body occur both herniated lumbar discs and low back arthritis which is a pinch on the nerves which is the exit from to spinal column and runs down the thigh, give to the result thigh pain.

Spinal Stenosis:
This disorder is considered a degenerative condition which is become to worsens over time.
In most people, it occurs over the age of 40.
This disorder occurs when the spinal nerves are compressed by the bones in the spine. which is given as to result of daily wear and tear experienced throughout life.

Trauma:
When occur to any sort of traumatic blow to the thigh is becomes too painful, because, many muscles and nerves are situated in the thigh.

Quadriceps and Hamstring Tendonitis:
When you do overuse and repeated use of the thigh muscles is produced to inflammation in the muscle tendons.
Due to tendonitis, you feel swelling and tenderness in the thigh muscle.

Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome:
The iliotibial band is a thick piece of tissue and fascia that is situated on the outer side of the thigh.
Sometimes this band becomes too irritated with the overuse and repeated use which also cause thigh pain.

Stroke:
Sometimes, when to occur a cerebral vascular accident (CVA), it becomes leads to blunt pain in the thigh.

Blood Clot:
A blood clot in the lower leg or thigh is become to causes thigh pain along with warmth, swelling, and redness.

Meralgia paresthetica:
In this disorder occur to pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve.

This condition occurs for many causes include to :

• Pregnancy
• Being overweight or obese
• Hypothyroidism
• Having a wallet or cell phone in the front and side pockets of pants
• Scar tissue from a past injury/surgery
• Tight clothing

Deep vein thrombosis:
When this occurs more frequently deep vein clots in the lower legs, which also cause thigh pain.

Greater trochanteric pain syndrome:
Greater trochanteric pain syndrome is built by pain in the outside of the thighs.
This syndrome is occur generally caused by injury, pressure, and repetitive movements.
This is a common occurrence among runners and women.

Muscle injuries:
Muscle injuries, like sprains and strains, which is become the common cause of pain in the upper thigh.
Because of severe large numbers of muscles in the upper thigh, that pain in this region occurs due to a muscle injury.

Some common muscle injuries in this region include:

• Muscle sprains and strains:
• Sprains and strains affect any of the many muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the thigh.
• Sprain: Sprain is a torn and stretched ligament and these ligaments attach bones to other bones.
• Strain: Strain is a torn and stretched muscle and tendon and tendons connect muscles to bones.

Sedentary lifestyle:
If you are not doing adequate exercise and spending too much time in a sitting position each day it causes damage to the muscles and produces chronic pain.
When you sit for a long time it put pressure on the joints and muscles, particularly on the hips and legs.
Lack of activity in the leg causes muscle weakness and triggers widespread muscle pain.
For people who have suffered from upper thigh pain due to a sedentary lifestyle that this pain is felt throughout the body.

Radiating pain of another injury:
If occur injuries in another part of the body it is produced to pain and spread into the upper thighs.

Chronic conditions:
Multiple chronic conditions are produced by pain in the upper thigh.
If the people present with fibromyalgia which is experiencing chronic widespread pain at the specific pressure points.

Symptoms of the Thigh muscle pain

• Feel the pain in the front and back of the thigh
• Seen swellings and redness in the place of pain.
• Also, present feeling of spasms and tightness in the region of pain.
• You also feel numbness and tingling in the thigh
• Weakness feel in thigh muscles
• You feel problems in the sitting position and rising from the sitting
• You also feel problems in walking, leg raises, and wall squats
• You are also seen bursting in the pain region.
• The burning sensation is also felt in the place of pain
• You also see a pale or bluish discoloration on the site of pain.

In which condition you will contact to doctor?

Many people with thigh pain can treat the pain on their own, while other people require medical attention right away.

Some signs and symptoms which is warrant a visit to a medical professional include:

• When you feel severe pain it limits your ability to function.
• When you feel having a problem walking normally due to your pain.
• When this pain occurs with the fever and malaise, it is a sign of the infection.
• When you feel thigh pain with redness, swelling, and warmth of the skin, it is a sign of a blood clot that needs immediate medical attention.
• When occur to muscle strain and tear which is produced to the thigh look deformed so a visit to an orthopedic surgeon is required to accurately diagnose and treat the condition.
• Thigh pain which is coming on suddenly and limits the ability to walk due to a pinched nerve in the back. so that visit to an orthopedist who has analyzed this condition.

When you feel any of the following symptoms, that goes for the medical treatment:

• Clammy or bluish skin
• Irregular heartbeat
• Fainting
• Lightheartedness
• Restlessness
• Weak pulse
• Shortness of breath
• Anxiety
• Rapid heartbeat
• Chest pain that extends into the arm, jaw, neck & shoulder
• Spitting up blood

Diagnosis of the Thigh muscle Pain

When you contact the doctor, the doctor must observe and take the assessment.

• The first doctor asked questions about the pain and try to know the reason for the pain.
• During the observation, the part observes the swelling, redness, and color changes in the site of pain.
• On the palpation part, palpate to swelling and spasms.
• On the examination part, examine the ROM ( range of motion ) and strength of the muscle of the thigh.
• After that assessment doctor suggested proper treatment of the muscle pain.

The doctor also suggested some diagnostic examinations for diagnosis :

X-ray:
This diagnostic test is used to analyze the bones of the thigh, knee, and hip joint to look for fractures and arthritis which is the cause of the pain.

Electromyographic (EMG) test:
The EMG examination is used to check the functioning of the nerves of the thigh.
This test is also shown to be a pinched nerve and loss of nerve function.

Magnetic resonance imaging (MRI):
This test is used to show pictures of the soft tissue around the thigh.
It also checks the tear of muscles and tendons.

Ultrasound:
This test is used to visualize arteries and veins around the thigh.
This examination also checks the blood clot.

Blood tests :
It is useful to assess for medical disorders like arthritis.

Joint aspiration:
It is a procedure that involves removing fluid from a joint and checking for specific joint problems.

Treatment for thigh muscle pain

RICE Principle

In the initial phase of the pain, the doctor has suggested applying the RICE principle for pain release.

• [R] rest: When the muscle pain begins the first doctor suggests resting for some days and do not an activity that increases the pain in the thigh, as for walking you are used to a walking aid relieve to the pain.
• [I] ice: You can also use ice on the site of pain for 15 to 20 minutes and release to pain and swellings, you can also use an ice pack and frozen peas release to the pain but you can not apply it to direct ice on the skin because redness occurs in the skin so that use to towel between ice and skin.
• [C]compression: You can also use to compression bandage on the place of pain for release to swellings.
• [E] elevation: You can elevate the leg and reduce swelling with the help of a pillow on the foot.

Pain Medication

Your healthcare provider has also prescribed an anti-inflammatory drug mainly NSAIDs with Advil – ibuprofen and also applied to an anti-inflammatory cream like Aspercreme for release to muscle pain.
For the inflammation, the doctor suggested Tylenol – acetaminophen for release to inflammation.

Heat therapy

You can also use heat which is useful to you after visible signs of the inflammation go away and for chronic conditions involving muscle and joint stiffness.
The heat helps to relax tense muscles and increase blood flow to promote healing.
This heat therapy is used for 10 – 15 minutes at a time.
You can also try a heating pad, even a warm bath, and an over-the-counter heat wrap to remove the heat if you feel discomfort & avoid burning the skin.

Physiotherapy treatment for thigh muscle pain

The physiotherapy treatment includes Acupuncture Therapy, Massage Therapy, electrotherapy, stretching, and strengthening exercises which help you release muscle pain and swelling.

Acupuncture Therapy:

During this Acupuncture Therapy, a licensed acupuncturist determines the affected meridian causing thigh pain. Then, the acupuncturist is place very thin needles into the top layer of the skin which are used at specific points on the body to repair the healthy flow once again.
This therapy helps to reduce trigger points and muscle pain.

Massage therapy:

This therapy helps to release thigh pain by improving circulation, relieving tension, and smoothing the out muscle knots.
This massage is applied to trigger and tender points of the muscle with the help of oil and powder for 5 to 10 minutes.
This massage is applied 3 times every day.

Electrotherapy treatment

After the RICE principle, pain medication, and massage if the muscle pain is not relieved then used electrotherapy treatment for the reduction of muscle pain.

Ultrasound therapy (US): This treatment is used with the help of gel and applied for 5 to 10 minutes in the place of pain.
This therapy helps you relieve swelling and pain.

Short wave diathermy (SWD): SWD is hot therapy for decreasing spam in the place of pain.
Interferential Therapy and Transcutaneous Electrical Nerve Stimulation: IFT and TENs are used with the help of gel and electrodes on the area of pain.
This therapy is given for 10 to 15 minutes at the site of pain.

Strengthening Exercise

Exercise helps to release muscle weakness and muscle pain.

• Leg Raises.
• Side-Lying Hip Adduction
• Lateral Leg Raise
• Balance Pad Marching
• Squats
• Standing Hip Extension with Loop Band
• Leg swings
• Lateral squat
• Reclining angle bound pose

Leg Raises:
The patient’s position is lying on the back on the ground means in the supine position, with both arms resting at the side.
Then slowly lift one leg while keeping the leg straight.
Maintain the lifted leg for 5 seconds, then lower the leg and return to the ground as slowly as possible.
Repeat this exercise with the opposite leg.
Perform this exercise 10 times in 1 session and 3 sessions every day.

Side-Lying Hip Adduction:
The patient’s position is lying on the side with the legs are want to exercise on the bottom, then bend and rotate the top hip or knee joint so that the patient places the foot flat on the floor in front of the knee of the thigh that’s still touching the floor.
Must keep the hips stacked and knee joint straight as tense up the inner thigh as you start to lift the lower leg straight up toward the roof.
Maintain this position for 15 to 30 seconds, going as high as you can tolerate, before slowly returning to the ground.
Repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times for 2-3 sets every day.

Lateral Leg Raise:
The patient’s position is lying on the side with the hip joint and wants to exercise on top.
Then flex the bottom knee and hip joint for stability so that the patient lifts the top leg without wobbling.
Must keep up the upper leg straight and in line with the trunk.
Tighten the abs to promote hip stability as the patient lift the entire leg straight up toward the ceiling, and then lift as high as is comfortable before back to the starting position.
After then keep the movement slow and controlled in both directions.
Must keep the knee and toes pointing straight forward and hip joint in neutral and do not let the point up toward the roof
Repeat this exercise for 10 to 15 repetitions of the 2-3 sets every day.

Balance Pad Marching:
The patient’s position is to stand with the feet hip-width apart if the patient wants to challenge balance try stepping up on a balance foam pad.
Alternate shifting the weight into one leg while lifting the another, and then bending the knee joint and bringing the thigh up toward the roof.
Repeat and alternate for the 10 to 15 repetitions on both legs,
then continues for the 2 to 3 sets every day.

Squats:
The patient’s position is standing with the feet hip-width apart and pointed slightly outward.
Then tighten the core and make sure the weight is evenly distributed between the feet as they begin to bring the butt closer to the floor.
As they flex, the hips and knees, keep the weight back in the heels of the feet and the trunk upright.
Keep the knees behind the toes as you flex them as far as possible, stopping at 90 degrees if you get there.
Then move slowly up and down for 10 to 20 repetitions for 2 to 3 sets every day.

Standing Hip Extension with Loop Band:
The patient’s position is standing near a chair or wall for balance.
Wrap a loop band around the legs just above the ankles, and then tighten the abs and must keep an upright posture before starting to move.
After then shift the weight into the right leg first, lift the left leg so that the foot clears the floor, and extend the leg straight back
Avoid arching the low back and tilting forward.
Then focus on tightening the glutes muscle; if required to reduce the ROM ( range of motion ).
Switch to the other leg when ready and repeat this exercise on another side.
Then repeat this exercise 10 to 15 times and complete 2 to 3 sets on both legs every day.

Leg swings:
The patient’s position is standing with the feet shoulder-width apart.
Then lift the right leg off the floor and keep the weight on the heel of the left foot.
Then hold onto a wall or chair for support if the patient requires it.
This exercise begins slowly, swinging the right leg like a pendulum from side to side.
First, try to avoid twisting the torso too much, as the muscles begin to loosen up, pick up the pace and swing the leg out further with each move.
Perform this exercise 15 to 20 times on both legs every day.

Lateral squat:
The patient’s position is standing up and placing the feet double shoulder-width apart.
Shift the weight to the right leg, flex the right knee joint and push the hip joint back as if the patient is going to sit down, then lower as low as possible while maintaining the left leg straight.
Keep the chest up and the weight on your right leg.
The patient breathes deeply and holds this position for 10-20 seconds before back to the starting position.
Then repeat this exercise 3-4 times, then switch to another side.

Reclining angle bound pose:
The patient’s position is lying down flat on the back, then bending the knee joint and moving the soles inward so that touching.
Move the knee joint down toward the ground so that the patient feels the groin muscles stretching, and breathe deeply and maintain this position for 20-30 seconds.
Repeat this exercise 3 times every day.

Stretching exercise

Stretching is very useful to you for releasing muscle tightness and muscle pain:

• Hip Flexor Stretch
• Standing Hamstring Stretch
• Adductor Stretch
• Calf Stretches
• Lying Hamstring Stretch.
• Leg Stretches.
• Supine Adductor Stretch with Strap
• Seated Figure Four Stretch
• Crossover stretch
• Butterfly stretch
• Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch
• Prone Quad Stretch with Strap
• Seated Hamstring Stretch
• Quadriceps Stretch
• Inner and Outer Legs Stretch
• Shin Stretch

Hip Flexor Stretch:
The patient’s position is to stand upright and step forward with you the right leg.
And then slowly flex the right knee joint and must keep the left leg straight, and then continue to flex the right knee till a gentle stretch is felt on top of the thigh.
Must avoid arching the back as the bend into the front leg.
Maintain this stretching exercise for 15 to 30 seconds.
And then back to the starting position, repeat this stretching exercise 3 times every day.

Standing Hamstring Stretch:
The patient’s position is to stand upright, then bend over and attempt to touch the toes while keeping the knee joint straight.
And try to continue straight till a gentle stretch is felt behind the knees.
This stretching exercise holds for 15-30 seconds.
And then back to the starting position, repeat this stretching exercise 3 times every day.
But stop this stretch when you feel any low back pain and feel pain in the hamstrings muscle.

Adductor Stretch
The patient’s position is to stand upright for the stretch, then spread the legs shoulder-distance apart.
After then slowly lean to the right while bending the right knee.
Must keep the left leg straight, and this position is continued till a gentle stretch is felt in the inner left thigh.
Maintain this position for 5 seconds, and then back to the starting position, repeat this stretching exercise 3 times every day.
Then perform this again, tilting to the left.
But in the stretching, a relaxing pull is felt. Stop this stretching exercise if you feel any pain.

Calf Stretches
The patient’s position is to stand at arm’s length from a wall.
Put both hands on the wall, shoulder-width apart, and then take a step back with one leg, while maintaining a pushing movement against the wall.
Maintain this position for 15 to 30 seconds, and then release and repeat with another leg.

Lying Hamstring Stretch:
The patient’s position is lying on the back of the ground or floor.
Then slowly lift one leg and maintain it extended upward, and then pull on the hamstring so that the leg raise is at a 90-degree angle from the torso and bend the leg at the knee.
Maintain the position for 15 to 30 seconds, and then repeat this stretching with another leg.

Leg Stretches:
The patient’s position is sitting on the floor or ground with both legs stretched out in front of the body.
Keep a straight posture and place your hands on the ground for stability.
Slowly flex one knee to a 90-degree angle, and maintain this position for 15 to 30 seconds.
Stretch out the same leg and keep it straight for 15 to 30 seconds.

Supine Adductor Stretch with Strap
The patient’s position is lying on the back with both knees bent and feet flat on the ground.
Grab the stretch strap and place it around the ball of the foot of the leg want to stretch.
Maintain this strap with the other hand.
First, straighten the knee toward the roof and adjust the angle as needed if the hamstrings are too tight.
Let the leg fall out toward the side toward the ground as far as possible, with the inner thigh facing up toward the roof.
Support the leg with the strap, and move till feel a strong inner thigh stretch.
Maintain for this stretching exercise 30 seconds for the 2 to 3 sets every day.

Seated Figure Four Stretch
The patient’s position is sitting comfortably in a chair near the edge and with good posture.
First, select which hip joint the patient is going to stretch and bring the ankle of that leg up toward the other knee joint.
Then rest the outside edge of the ankle on the other thigh near the knee joint.
Let the top knee joint fall down toward the ground as far as the patient is tolerating, and then gently tilt forward till they feel a stretch deep in the buttock piriformis muscle.
Maintain this stretching position for 15 to 30 seconds to do the 2 to 3 sets on both legs.
If the pain is felt in the ITB region, you can try to bring the knee joint across the body toward the opposing side of the chest instead of getting a stretch in the side of the thigh region.
The patient has also completed this stretching exercise on lying down.

Crossover stretch:
The patient’s position is to start with the feet together, and then step to the left with the left foot, then cross the right foot in front of the left leg.
Step to the left again with the left foot, and bring the right foot to the joint with the left foot.
Once both feet are together and repeat this stretch in another direction.
This stretching exercise is start slowly but picks up the pace as they get used to the move.
Must try to continue for at least 2-3 minutes.

Butterfly stretch
The patient’s position is sitting on the floor and placing the soles of the feet together in front of the body.
Let the knee joint bend out to the sides, and put the hands on the feet as they pull the heels toward the body.
Must keep the back straight and abs engaged as the patient lets the knee joint relax and inch closer to the ground.
If the patient feels slight pressure on the groin muscles, breathe deeply and maintain this position for 15-30 seconds, repeat this stretching exercise 3 times every day.
Move the feet nearer to the groin region for a more intense stretch.

Kneeling Hip Flexor Stretch:
The patient position is starting in a standing position by getting into a lunge position, with the hip joint wanting to stretch in the back.
Then, let the back knee rest on the floor, using a pillow or rolled towel as required for comfort.
Make sure the front of the hip joint and knees are flexed to approximately 90 degrees with the knee staying behind the toes.
Next, shift the weight forward into the front foot as the further extend the back hip which is shifted till a strong stretch is felt and held.
Maintain for 15 to 30 seconds and do 2 to 3 sets every day.

Prone Quad Stretch with Strap
The patient’s position lying on the stomach means a prone position with the stretch strap wrapped around the foot of the leg, then holding the ends of the strap with the hand on the same side.
First get in a neutral position with the whole body, with the head facing forward and down toward the ground.
Start to flex the knee joint and use the strap to guide the movement or provide overpressure.
Stop this stretching exercise when the patient feels a strong stretch in the front of the thigh.
Maintain this exercise for 15 to 30 seconds for the 2 to 3 sets every day.

Seated Hamstring Stretch:
The patient’s position is sitting comfortably in a chair with a good upper-body posture, then straightening the leg and resting the heel on the floor with the toes up toward the roof and the knee joint straight.
Start to gently shift the weight forward while must keep the spine straight, then continue shifting till the patient feel a stretch in the back of the leg.
Maintain this exercise for 15 to 30 seconds and complete 2 to 3 sets on both legs.

Quadriceps Stretch:
The patient’s position is in a standing position and then holds onto a wall and chair for balance.
The patient is standing on one leg and lifts the other leg off the ground.
Then gently bend at the knee joint and pull the foot up close to the buttock.
Maintain this stretching exercise for 15 to 30 seconds and repeat with the other leg.

Inner and Outer Legs Stretch:
Start with the feet facing forward, shoulder-width apart, and step out to lunge to the left, flexing the knee to 90 degrees without allowing the knee to go past the toes.
Lower into the left side and straighten the right leg.
With the back straight, place the hands on the left thigh and maintain this exercise for 15 to 30 seconds.
Then straighten up to the standing position, repeat on the other side, then repeat 4 times every day.

Shin Stretch:
The patient’s position is kneeling on the floor and pointing the toes so the tops of the feet are on the floor.
After then gently sit back on the heels till a feel a slight stretch down the shins.
Maintain this stretching exercise for 15 to 30 seconds and do the rest.

Risk factors for thigh pain

There are available to different causes of thigh pain, cause with their risk factor, so that in the risk factor include:

• If you are overweight and obese
• Pregnancy and diabetes
• If you do repetitive exercises, like running, walking
• If the patient presents with chronic medical conditions, like as diabetes and rheumatoid arthritis
• Poor circulation
• If you taking part in the sports
• A history of injuries to the legs and hips

Prevention of thigh pain

• When thigh pain is the result of DVT the prevention includes prescription medication and the use of compression stockings in routine life.
• You are trying to keep a healthy weight.
• Always perform stretching exercises after the workout.
• Always do the warm-up and cool-down during the exercise.
• Always doing physical movement in daily life means do not sit for a long period.

FAQ