Pain in the upper thigh: Cause, treatment and prevention

Are you affected by pain in the upper thigh? Here you can read more about possible causes, treatment and prevention of this type of thigh pain.

Pain in the upper part of the thigh can be caused by a number of different diagnoses. One of the reasons why it can be difficult to find the correct diagnosis in this anatomical area is because it consists of a number of different muscles, tendons, ligaments, joints and other anatomical structures.

- Learn how to get rid of the pain

But in this article you will get to know your thigh pain - and thus understand how you can get rid of your pain. We will also take a closer look at various causes, functional assessments, treatment methods, self-measures (such as coccyx to relieve the upper thigh and 'buttock') and present an exercise program (with video) that can help you.

– Get the Pain Examined

If you suffer from repeated or long-lasting pain in the upper thigh - regardless of whether it is the left or right thigh - we strongly encourage you to have the pain assessed by a publicly authorized clinician (physiotherapist or modern chiropractor)) to get a thorough assessment and examination. By everyone our clinic departments at the Vondtklinikkene, we offer thorough examination, modern treatment and rehabilitation training for pain and discomfort in the thigh.

- Written by: The pain clinics - Interdisciplinary Health department Lambertseter (Oslo) [See full clinic overview here – link opens in new window]

- Last updated: 14.10.2022

- Pain in the thigh can have a negative impact on both everyday life and leisure time

In this article you will learn more about, among other things:

• Causes of pain in the upper part of the thigh

+ Common causes

+ Rare and serious causes

• Risk Factors

• Diagnosis of pain in the upper thigh

• Treatment of upper thigh pain

+ Physiotherapy

+ Modern chiropractic

+ Pressure wave treatment

• Self-measures against pain in the thigh

+ Suggestions for self-treatment and prevention

• Training and exercises for thigh pain (including video)

+ Learn which exercises can help with pain in the thigh

• Questions? Contact Us!

Causes: Why does it hurt in the upper thigh?

Upper thigh pain can be caused by muscles, nerves, mucous membranes or joints. The most common is that it is due to functional reasons in muscles and joints - in other words due to incorrect loading over time (for example, too little movement, too much static load or that you have done a little more than your body could tolerate).

Muscle problems in the thigh

As mentioned, muscles are almost always involved, to a greater or lesser extent, in thigh pain. Some of the most commonly involved muscles in this type of pain include:

- Quadriceps (the knee extensor - which sits at the front of the upper part of the thigh)

- Hamstrings (the knee flexor – which is located on the back of the thigh)

- Tensor fasciae latae / the iliotibial band (runs on the outside of the thigh from the hip down towards the outside of the knee)

- The hip flexor (Iliopsoas – which runs from the front of the upper thigh and crosses down to the inside of the knee)

These muscles can be affected by prolonged wear and sudden overloads (for example, sports injuries) without sufficient capacity to withstand the aforementioned load. Some common causes of muscular pain include, including:

Muscle strains and muscle tears

[Figure 1: Pain clinics dept Eidsvoll Healthy Chiropractor Center and Physiotherapy]

A sudden load can give rise to a violent stretch in the muscle fibres. A good example of this is whiplash where the affected person is thrown forward and then backwards. The muscle fibers in the neck are not able to withstand such sudden and violent movements, and thus small micro tears or "stretches" can occur in the affected structures. After such stress, it is also common for the muscles to contract - or go into spasm - to protect the neck from further damage until the brain has gained an overview of the situation. Muscular treatment and pressure wave treatment can be good treatment methods in such cases.

over Injuries

Overuse injuries can occur if a muscle or tendon in the thigh is used too hard or for too long - and that this results in damage to its associated muscle fibers (ref: figure 1 above). If such injuries are not dealt with, they tend to get worse - as the area does not get the healing and restitution it needs.

Too little movement in everyday life (static overload)

But you don't do sports and such, you say? It does not help. It is true that not getting enough exercise or spending too much time sitting on the butt can also damage the muscles and cause prolonged, chronic pain.

- Static load can cause compression in the hip joint

Sitting down for long periods of time puts unnatural pressure on joints and muscles, especially the hips, thighs and legs. If you don't move enough, this will also cause the muscles to have a gradually reduced function and this in itself can cause widespread muscle pain. Many of us work in an office and thus sit for many hours every day. In such cases, one can coccyx be an excellent helper to provide a varied load for the pelvis, hips and back of the thighs. Many people use such cushions to achieve the same effect as very expensive office chairs.

Ergonomic tip: Coccyx cushion (read more about the product here - the link opens in a new window

Ergonomic coccyx pads is popular, among other things, with those affected by hip pain, lumbago and sciatica. The relieving design means that the compression forces are distributed in a better way and that the pad absorbs much of the load. You can read more about the product, or buy it, by clicking on the images above or the link here .

Nerve irritation or radiating pain

Sciatica and sciatica are terms that indicate that some structures put pressure directly or indirectly on the sciatic nerve. Depending on where the irritation is located, this can cause pain that rushes or radiates to the hip, thigh, calf and foot. Often such nerve pain is due to a combination of dysfunction in joints and muscles - but can also be due to disc injuries (for example prolapse with affection of the L3 nerve root).

- Nerve decompression can lead to lameness and improper loading

Nerve pain can also lead to a change in gait. You have probably seen someone with a really bad back who limps around and is clearly in pain? Think about what this changed gait does to muscles, tendons and joints - yes, it contributes to what we call "compensatory pain", namely that you tense muscles and areas which, due to this changed gait, also become painful. In the case of nerve pain, we strongly encourage you to have the pain investigated - remember that our clinicians know The pain clinics has a high professional competence in this subject.

There are also other diagnoses that cause nerve pain in the thigh - including:

• Peripheral neuropathy
• Bernhardt-Roth syndrome

We take a look at them below.

Peripheral neuropathy

The peripheral nervous system can be damaged, pinched or irritated. This diagnosis indicates that we have damage or an impact on the nervous tissue which can be due to functional causes (muscles and joints), diabetes, alcohol abuse or poor nutrition, among other things.

Typical symptoms of such neuropathy are unusual sensory changes in the thighs and legs, which may include burning, numbness, tingling and radiating pain.

Bernhardt-Roth syndrome

This syndrome indicates that we have an injury or negative impact on the nerve that causes you to have sensation in the skin on the outside of the thigh (nervus lateralis cutaneus femoris). If this nerve is damaged, the affected person will be able to notice that there is no feeling on the outside of the thigh in the upper part, and that affected patients often report numbness or tingling in the affected area.

Rarer causes of pain in the upper part of the thigh

• Blood clot (deep vein thrombosis)
• Fibromyalgia (chronic pain syndrome)
• Rheumatism and arthritis

There are more possible diagnoses than those we have mentioned above, among other things, a number of chronic pain disorders and rheumatic diagnoses can cause widespread pain that affects episodic throughout the body - including the thighs.

Blood clot in the thigh (deep vein thrombosis)

A blood clot in a vein can cause pain in the upper thigh and groin in rare cases. This diagnosis is also known as deep vein thrombosis - a condition that can be life-threatening if part of the blood clot loosens and then gets stuck in the lungs, heart or brain. Such a loose blood clot is a medical emergency.

– Redness, heat development and known risk factors

This condition especially affects those who already have poor blood circulation, smoke, have known heart problems, are pregnant or overweight. In addition, if you are sedentary for longer periods (for example longer flights), this may increase the risk of blood clots forming. It is recommended to keep moving, uses compression socks and do light circulation exercises if you are on longer trips involving a lot of sitting.

Fibromyalgia

Research has shown that those with the chronic diagnosis Fibromyalgia have increased pain sensitivity in muscle fibers and tendons. This means that they are more easily affected by pain and that they often feel significantly stronger than in people without this diagnosis. One of the characteristics of this chronic pain syndrome is that the pain can be widespread and affect large parts of the body's muscles.

Arthritis and rheumatism

There are hundreds of different rheumatic diagnoses. Several of these, including rheumatoid arthritis, can lead to damage to joints and tendons, which in turn results in pain. Among other things, injuries or osteoarthritis in the hips and knees can refer pain both up and down from the relevant areas.

Risk factors for pain in the upper thigh

As mentioned earlier in the article, it is the case that pain in the upper part of the thigh can have a number of causes - the most common of which are muscles, tendons and joints. But there are risk factors that make you more likely to get thigh pain. These include:

• Chronic medical conditions (such as diabetes and rheumatic arthritis)

• Sudden failure load (perhaps a spurt where you felt that chop?)

• Overexertion (have you been walking or running more than usual?)

• That you are an athlete

• That you do not participate in sports and training

• Reduced blood circulation

• Previous history of injury or trauma to the thigh and leg

The risk factors are therefore quite variable - and this is due, as mentioned earlier, to the fact that the possible diagnoses are so widespread.

Diagnosis of pain in the upper thigh

- At Vondtklinikkene, you will always receive a comprehensive functional assessment

So how does a clinician make a diagnosis? Well, it all starts with a thorough storytelling that provides the basis for the further functional investigation. For example, if the injury occurred when you went into a bone-hard football tackle, chances are high that it is a muscle strain or other muscle injury. Thus, the clinical trial will be tailored to this information. If the pain radiates from the back to the thigh, it is rather suspected that this is a nerve irritation and possible disc injury (for example, lumbar prolapse).

Let us find the cause of your pain

Our publicly authorized clinicians know The pain clinics has a distinctively high level of professional competence in the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of sports injuries (including pain in the thigh). With us, our core vision is that the patient is always in focus and that we always do our utmost to achieve the best possible results.

A typical clinical examination could therefore look like this:

• History Taking (History)
• Clinical examination (including examination of range of motion, muscle tests, neurological testing and orthopedic testing)
• Requesting special tests - for example imaging diagnostics (if needed)

Treatment of upper thigh pain

- Pressure wave treatment can be an effective treatment for tendon injuries and muscle problems in the thighs

There are several types of treatment that can help you with pain in the thigh - we recommend a holistic approach that combines physical treatment with gradual training. By The pain clinics Our modern clinicians work daily with the investigation, treatment and rehabilitation of injuries and pain in the thigh - and combine treatment methods that are individually adapted for each patient.

- A thorough investigation is important

As mentioned, we always recommend that a thorough examination is at the bottom of a treatment plan. Common treatment methods commonly used for such pain are:

• Physiotherapy: A physiotherapist can help you with sore and damaged muscles in the form of both exercise and physical therapy
• Intramuscular Needle Therapy / Muscular Acupuncture: Intramuscular acupuncture can contribute to improved muscular function and reduction of muscle pain. This type of treatment should be performed by a publicly authorized clinician - which includes a chiropractor, physiotherapist or manual therapist.
• Modern Chiropractic: A modern chiropractor combines joint treatment with muscular work, other treatment methods (such as pressure wave therapy, needling, Graston and/or laser) and adapted rehabilitation exercises.
• Shockwave therapy: Studies have shown that pressure wave therapy stimulates repair and healing in damaged tendon fibers and muscle injuries.¹ This also applies to chronic and long-term ailments. All our clinics belonging to the Vondtklinikken have modern pressure wave equipment.
• Musculoskeletal laser therapy: Laser therapy against injuries and inflammation in muscles and tendons has a documented effect. A Norwegian meta-analysis, the strongest form of research, has shown that, for example, tendon injuries in the shoulder heal faster if you supplement the treatment with laser therapy.² All our clinicians have professional expertise in the use of laser equipment.

- Do not walk with pain for a long time

If you do not visit a clinic for examination of long-term pain in the upper thigh, you run the risk of it worsening further. See a clinician if you have persistent pain that does not improve. Feel free to contact us at The pain clinics if you have questions about your aches and pains (see contact information at the bottom of the article or via the link).

Self-measures and prevention of thigh pain

Many of our patients also ask us how they can actively contribute to healing and pain relief. In many of the cases, our clinicians see that there is a lot of static load in the form of sitting, and thus often give a recommendation for the use of coccyx in everyday work. In addition to this, the patient can contribute actively by rolling on trigger point ball, acupressure mat and massage in heat conditioner against sore muscles. Such types of self-treatment can also work preventively.

Good tip: Trigger point Balls (link opens in new window)

Trigger point Balls, also known as massage balls, are useful everyday helpers for most of us. Popular with both top athletes and quiet exercisers due to its wide range of uses. The balls come in different sizes and are used by locating tense muscles and then massaging into the area for approximately 1 minute. Then switch areas. We recommend daily use. Press the image or here to read more about them.

Training and exercises for upper thigh pain

Rehabilitation exercises for thigh pain are primarily aimed at strengthening the main stability muscles in the area. To hit this muscle as best as possible, you can use minibands in training - as shown in the training program below. In the video, chiropractor Alexander Andorff shows a training program consisting of 5 good exercises for thigh and groin pain. The training proposal is 2-3 times a week for 12-16 weeks (you can see the number of repetitions and sets in the video).

VIDEO: 5 Exercises for Groin Strains and Thigh Pain

Become part of the family of our family! Feel free to subscribe for free on our Youtube channel for more free training programs and health knowledge.

Pain clinics: Contact us

We offer modern assessment, treatment and rehabilitation training for pain in the thigh.

Feel free to contact us via one of our clinic departments (the clinic overview opens in a new window) or on vår Facebook-side (Vondtklinikkenne - Health and Training) if you have any questions. For appointment booking, we have XNUMX-hour online booking at the various clinics so that you can find the consultation time that suits you best. You are of course also welcome to call us during the clinics' opening hours. We have interdisciplinary departments in, among other places, Oslo (incl Lambert seats) and Viken (Raw wood og Eidsvoll). Our skilled therapists look forward to hearing from you.

Research and Sources:

1. Notarnicola et al, 2012. The biological effects of extracorporeal shock wave therapy (eswt) on tendon tissue. Muscles Ligaments Tendons J . 2012 Jun 17;2(1):33-7.

2. Haslerud et al, 2015. The efficacy of low-level laser therapy for shoulder tendinopathy: a systematic review and meta-analysis of randomized controlled trials. Physiother Res Int . 2015 Jun;20(2):108-25. [Meta-analysis]