Thigh Pain While Running

Pain while running may result from repetitive activities like constantly running on a slope or from physical conditions such having one leg longer than the other. If you experience a numbing, a tingling sensation, cramping in your hamstrings or pain from your lower back down the back of your leg to the bottom of your foot, your sciatic nerve is probably compressed or irritated according to the MayoClinic.com.

Types

Thigh pain during a run may result from an irritated pillow-like sac, commonly called a bursa. You may also pull or strain your quads or hamstrings running up a hill, running quickly down a hill or sprinting, resulting in pain. Iliotibial or IT band friction and sciatic nerve irritation can induce pain. Bruises or contusions from a direct blow to the thigh may become more painful during a run, according to Sandra Shultz, Ph.D., and colleagues in their book "Examination of Musculoskeletal Injuries."

Location

The trochanteric bursa near each of your hips is located on the lateral side between your IT band and the upper end of your thigh bone. There is also an iliopsoas bursa on the anterior aspect of each hip as well as a suprapatellar bursa under your quadricep muscle, just above your knee. Your iliotibial band runs along the lateral side of your thigh then inserts just below your knee. The sciatic nerve originates from the spinal cord then runs down each leg. It may pass under or between your piriformis muscle which lies directly below your gluteal muscles.

Identification

If you experience pain as you run on a slanted surface, especially if you have wide hips and your knees angle toward each other, it may be due to inflammation of your trochanteric bursa. If you feel a very deep pain or snapping sensations at the front of your hip or in your groin during your run, it may be due to an inflamed iliopsoas bursa. Inflammation of your suprapatellar bursa during your run will not only be painful but will also decrease your ability to flex your knee during a run. Aggravation of your iliotibial band during your run results in pain on the side of your hip which may radiate down the lateral side of your thigh and just below your knee.

Prevention

Thigh pain while you run can be prevented by taking a few minutes to warm up and do a quick stretch prior to your workout. Do an easy jog or a walk and jog for 10 minutes followed by stretches for your glutes, quadriceps, hamstrings and calves. A warm-up gradually increases blood flow to your legs and therefore increases the temperature of your muscles. This improves the elasticity and the range of motion of your thigh muscles, reducing the risk of muscle strain, muscle tightness and sciatic nerve compression, hence decreasing your chances of thigh pain. Run on flat terrain and use properly fitted shoes to reduce your chances of irritating your bursas.

Warning

If you are experiencing sciatic pain during your run, make an appointment to see your doctor. The symptoms of sciatic pain may be caused by an underlying condition such as a tumor in your spinal canal or sciatic nerve, degenerative or herniated discs or kidney and internal organ problems warns Schultz.