Pain in the thigh can arise with any of an array of abnormalities or injuries of the muscles, nerves or bone of the upper leg region. Traumatic injuries commonly cause sudden, severe thigh pain. Slowly evolving abnormalities typically present with a more gradual onset of pain. Accurate diagnosis of the underlying cause of pain in the thigh is the first step in effective treatment of this troublesome symptom.
Muscle Strain
A muscle strain, or pull, in one of the upper leg muscles is a common cause of thigh pain. These injuries represent stretching or tearing of the thigh muscle fibers, which typically causes sudden, severe pain, notes the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. The location of the pain depends on the muscle involved. A hamstring pull causes pain in the back of the thigh. Quadriceps and adductor strains precipitate pain on the front and inside of the thigh, respectively. Thigh muscle strains range in severity according to the degree of tearing in the muscle fibers. A complete tear of the affected muscle represents the most severe form of thigh muscle strain.
Meralgia Paresthetica
Burning pain the upper, outer thigh area characterizes the nerve disorder meralgia paresthetica. The condition arises due to compression of the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, which arises from the spinal cord in the lower back and passes through a small canal in the pelvis to reach the upper thigh skin. Pressure on the nerve triggers pain and tingling in the thigh, which may progress to numbness over the affected area, explains the National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke. Excessive weight in the lower abdomen can increase the risk for meralgia paresthetica.
Femoral Fracture
A fractured thighbone, or femur, typically causes persistent thigh pain. Traumatic femoral fractures most often occur with high-energy impacts, such as a fall from significant height or a motor vehicle accident. A person with a traumatic femoral fracture often has other injuries associated with the incident that caused the break.
Stress fractures can also develop in the femur. These hairline cracks of the femur most frequently occur in athletes who participate in endurance sports. In an October 2003 article published in "American Family Physician," Drs. Brent Sanderlin and Robert Raspa point out that femoral stress fractures frequently fail to heal properly, which may lead to serious complications. Early diagnosis is an important factor in the successful treatment of femoral stress fractures.
Bone Tumor
A variety of noncancerous and cancerous tumors can arise in the femur, often leading to aching pain and localized tenderness. Bone tumors can develop at any age, although many types most commonly affect children and young adults. Most bone tumors are noncancerous, reports the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons. Cancerous bone tumors, however, can be potentially life threatening. Multiple myeloma, Ewing's sarcoma, osteosarcoma and chondrosarcoma are the most common forms of bone cancer.
References
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Muscle Strains in the Thigh
- National Institute of Neurological Disorders and Stroke: Meralgia Paresthetica
- "American Family Physician"; Common Stress Fractures; Brent W. Sanderlin, M.D., Robert F. Raspa, M.D.; October 2003
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Bone Tumor
- American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons: Burning Thigh Pain (Meralgia Paresthetica)
