Why do thighs hurt

This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Symptoms Leg pain. Definition Causes When to see a doctor. Products and services. Thank you for Subscribing Our Housecall e-newsletter will keep you up-to-date on the latest health information. Please try again. Something went wrong on our side, please try again. Show references Exercise-induced leg pain. American College of Sports Medicine.

Accessed Jan. Seller RH, et al. Pain in the lower extremity in adults. In: Differential Diagnosis of Common Complaints. Philadelphia, Pa. In some extreme cases, surgery may be necessary. Symptoms may include:. Typically, strains can be treated with ice, heat and anti-inflammatory medications, but more severe strains or tears may require treatment by a doctor.

Hip flexor muscles can be strained with overuse, and can cause pain or muscle spasms in your thighs as well. Other symptoms of hip flexor strain may include:. Most hip flexor strains can be treated at home with ice, over-the-counter pain relievers, heat, rest, and exercises.

In some severe cases, physical therapy and surgery may be recommended. While there are various causes of thigh pain, each with their own risk factors, common ones include:. Diagnosis for most conditions that contribute to thigh pain will involve a physical examination by a physician who will evaluate the risk factors and symptoms.

If you need help finding a primary care doctor, you can browse doctors in your area through the Healthline FindCare tool. In some cases, physical therapy, prescription medications, and surgery may be required. The most serious complication of thigh pain is typically related to DVT, which can be life-threatening if not treated. If you experience any of the following symptoms, you should seek medical treatment:. Determining the underlying cause of thigh pain is key to preventing it going forward.

While in the case of DVT, prevention may include prescription medication and the use of compression stockings, in many others, preventative techniques include lifestyle changes and home remedies, including:. In most cases, upper thigh pain is not cause for concern. It can typically be treated at home with some simple strategies such as ice, heat, activity moderation, and over-the-counter medication.

Thigh problems can cause a range of symptoms including pain, swelling and bruising. When to seek help Speak to a healthcare professional as soon as possible if you have difficulty putting any weight at all on your leg. What causes thigh problems? Thigh problems can be the result of an injury caused by: overstretching or twisting during activities or sport a fall a direct blow to the thigh Pain on the outside of your thigh may also come on for no apparent reason. Can this cause problems anywhere else?

People with this sort of problem often describe the pain as: pins and needles sharp hot or burning Self-help Keeping active is an essential part of your treatment and recovery and is the single best thing you can do for your health. Being physically active can: maintain your current levels of fitness — even if you have to modify what you normally do, any activity is better than none keep your other muscles and joints strong and flexible prevent a recurrence of the problem help you aim for a healthy body weight Avoid sports or heavy lifting until you have less discomfort and good movement.

Exercises to help with thigh problems Resting or moving? Mayo Clinic does not endorse companies or products. Advertising revenue supports our not-for-profit mission. Any use of this site constitutes your agreement to the Terms and Conditions and Privacy Policy linked below. A single copy of these materials may be reprinted for noncommercial personal use only.

This site complies with the HONcode standard for trustworthy health information: verify here. This content does not have an English version. This content does not have an Arabic version. See more conditions. Request Appointment. Symptoms Leg pain. Products and services. Lately, I've had a lot of leg pain, especially when sitting at my desk or standing in line at the store.

Should I be concerned about this new aching? Answer From Sheldon G.