Upper leg pain after or during jogging can make it difficult for you to put weight on your leg, interrupting your exercise and daily routines. Because pain can sometimes be a symptom of a medical condition or serious injury, it's important to understand what causes exercise-related upper leg pain and how it can be treated.
Symptoms
Upper leg pain during or after jogging can vary in severity from a mild discomfort to a debilitating ache. You can also notice a variety of other symptoms -- including tenderness, bruising, warmth, redness, tingling, inflammation, loss of mobility or instability. Symptoms can be chronic or develop suddenly without warning. Upper leg pain can also be accompanied by pain in other areas of your body -- your back, pelvis, lower legs and feet.
Causes
Jogging-related upper leg pain can be due to muscle fatigue or strain caused by too much exercise or moving the legs in repetitive motions. You can also develop tendinitis, a cramp in the muscles of the upper legs, a tear or strain of muscles and tendons, stress fractures or blunt trauma from falling or colliding with something during your workout routine. Underlying medical conditions such as nerve damage, blood clots, atherosclerosis or bone infections can also trigger exercise-related leg pain.
Treatment
If you develop upper leg pain while jogging, immediately stop and rest to prevent further injury and swelling. Apply ice to the affected area to reduce pain, redness and swelling. Compress the injury by wrapping the extremity with an elastic bandage. Elevate your leg above your heart for 24 hours after the injury to encourage fluid drainage and reduce pain and swelling. You can also take ibuprofen, acetaminophen or aspirin to reduce pain and symptoms. Get treatment by a doctor for severe fractures, strains and underlying medical conditions.
Prevention
Because jogging is such a high-impact sport, "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies" recommends always wearing supportive running shoes to absorb the shock. If you run more than 25 miles per week, replace your shoes every three months. Make sure that you stretch and warm up with 10 minutes of light aerobics or a brisk walk before jogging. This can improve the strength and flexibility of your muscles, helping to reduce injury and pain.
References
- MayoClinic.com: Leg Pain
- MedlinePlus: Leg Pain
- The Merck Manuals: Approach to Sports Injuries
- "The Doctors Book of Home Remedies"; Prevention Magazine Editors; 2003
