Your thighs and upper legs contain some of the largest muscles in your entire body. So when you injure one of those muscles, you tend to feel it. Unfortunately, many people will attempt to “work through” or otherwise ignore their thigh pain. And that can be a bad idea. Your injuries could grow worse. Depending on the severity of your injury, you could significantly limit your mobility.
When you have thigh pain, it can be hard to perform everyday tasks. You may not even be able to drive very well, depending on the cause and severity of your pain. Thankfully, thigh pain can be successfully treated. And with the right treatment, you can get back to exercising everyday, going for hikes, and many other activities you typically enjoy.
Common Causes of Thigh Pain
When it comes to thigh pain, the causes are usually pretty straightforward. Your provider will assess your symptoms, the location of your pain, and your medical history to help create a diagnosis of your upper leg pain. In general, thigh pain will be caused by one of the following conditions:
- Overuse injury: One of the most common causes of thigh pain is due to an overuse injury. This occurs when you have worked your thigh muscles too hard and too frequently. The pain may get better with rest, but it may not.
- Sprains: Ligaments connect your muscles to your bone. In your thigh (as with elsewhere in the body), these ligaments can sometimes be stretched beyond their natural capacity. This is called a sprain–and a sprain can cause significant pain.
- Strains: Likewise, your muscles can also become stretched to the point of pain. These are called muscle strains. (In the worst cases, strains can even sometimes biome muscle tears.) Sometimes strains can go away on their own. Sometimes you may need help from your doctor.
- Nerve pain: In some cases, nerves in the legs can become pinched or otherwise damaged. This can cause significant pain even if your muscles are entirely healthy. Nerve pain can often feel just like muscle pain to a patient. Sciatica is a common form of thigh pain caused by a pinched nerve in the upper thigh or lower back.
- Blood clots: In rare cases, your thigh pain may be caused by a blood clot. If you experience sudden or severe thigh pain that presents at the same time as numbness in the groin or bathroom emergencies, you should seek emergency help right away!
Of course, this pain can also be caused by more obvious conditions as well–such as broken bones or other acute injuries. If you experience (or think you are experiencing) a thigh injury or thigh pain, you should talk to your doctor about the best possible treatment.
How is Thigh Pain Treated?
The best treatment for your thigh pain will depend on the source and nature of your pain. In emergency cases, such as a blood clot, you may require hospitalization or emergency care. However, for most people, thigh pain treatment is going to take two tracks: in-home care or in-office care.
In Home Care for Thigh Pain
After evaluating your thigh pain, your doctor may recommend in-home care to help you recover. Some of the most common home-care strategies include the following:
- Rest: You can try resting your impacted leg. However, it’s important not to become too sedentary. Look for other ways to stay active and keep parts of your body moving. Stretching is one popular option.
- Ice and heat: In some cases, you may be instructed to apply ice packs or heating pads to your injured leg. This can help minimize swelling and promote healing.
- Wearing a brace or support: A medical brace or bandage can provide extra support to your thigh and help you carry out day-to-day activities while your thigh heals.
- Over-the-counter pain medication: Your doctor may instruct you to use over-the-counter pain medication for a short duration. This can help you complete day-to-day activities and manage the associated pain. But it’s important not to rely too much on the OTC medications, as this can mask your symptoms. If pain persists, visit your doctor again to see about a more long-term solution.
If you have questions about the best way to care for your thigh pain in an at-home setting, talk to your doctor about the best way to proceed.
Physical Therapy for Thigh Pain
Thigh pain that does not respond to at-home care can be treated in a wide variety of ways. Some treatments may require medication, others may require surgery. Physical therapy is often a critical part of your treatment plan. (In fact, physical therapy is often prescribed as the primary treatment.)
For most patients, physical therapy will take on several forms:
- Deep tissue massage to help untangle muscles.
- Improving muscle strength to prevent further injury.
- Improving range of motion to help minimize pain and make mobility easier.
- And more
Your particular physical therapy restorative treatment plan will be unique, depending on the severity and nature of your thigh pain.
Talk to a Physical Therapy Specialist Today
If you are experiencing thigh pain, you don’t have to “tough it out” or “walk it off.” Getting treatment can help you get back to all the activities you love! At Diaspo, we have decades of combined experience treating thigh pain just like yours. Contact us today!
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