Several diseases can cause upper thigh pain. A narrowing in the lumbar spinal canal can press on the nerves, causing pain to radiate down the thigh. Atherosclerosis in part of the aorta and iliac arteries can interfere with the flow of blood and oxygen to the legs, resulting in pain. Inflammation of the vertebrae can result in thigh pain, as can the inflammation of the membrane covering the spinal cord.
Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
Lumbar spinal stenosis means the spinal canal in the lumbar area is stenotic, or too narrow. The lumbar area is the area of the lower back. This can be a congenital disorder or one that develops after birth. People develop this disorder for several reasons, according to Dr. Sally Pullman-Mooar, clinical associate professor at the University of Pennsylvania writing in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." Rheumatoid arthritis, a degenerative disk and osteoarthritis are among the possible causes of this stenosis. The narrow spinal canal presses on the nerves, with symptoms that include pain in the lower legs, buttocks and thighs while standing or walking. The pain decreases when people are sitting or leaning forward.
Atherosclerosis of the Aorta
Atherosclerosis is the hardening of the arteries. When it is in the lower part of the aorta, people will have pain in their lower legs and thighs, writes Dr. Allan Ropper, professor of neurology at Harvard Medical School writing in "Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology." The aorta is a large artery and the lower section supplies blood and oxygen to the legs. With atherosclerosis, not enough blood and oxygen can pass through the artery. People have pain from not getting enough oxygen.
Leriche's Syndrome
In "Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology," Dr. Ropper explains that the Leriche's syndrome is atherosclerosis of the aorta and iliac arteries. People with this disorder may have pain in their hips, buttocks, thighs and legs. Men may also be rendered impotent. The affected areas do not getting enough oxygen from the aorta and iliac arteries. This causes pain.
Ankylosing Spondylitis
Spondylitis is the inflammation of vertebrae. Ankylosing describes joints which are becoming stiff because of a disorder. In ankylosing spondylitis, there is inflammation of the spine and pelvis. The spine becomes stiff and eventually fuses. On an X-ray, the spine has the nickname of "bamboo spine" because of the way that it looks, according to Dr. Roy Altman, professor of medicine at the University of California writing in "The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals." Symptoms will include back pain, but the pain can be felt all the way down to the thighs.
Lumbar Adhesive Arachnoiditis
There is a membrane that covers the brain and spinal cord. The arachnoid is one of the layers of that membrane. Arachnoiditis is the inflammation of the arachnoid layer. As explained by Dr. Ropper in "Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology," the arachnoid in this disease gets thick in the lower part of the spinal cord, in the lumbar area. Adhesions develop in that area as well. People will usually experience pain in their thighs and lower back.
References
- "Adams & Victor's Principles of Neurology"; Allan Ropper, M.D., Martin Samuels, M.D.; 2009
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Lumbar Spinal Stenosis
- The Merck Manual for Healthcare Professionals: Seronegative Spondyloarthropathies
