Thigh pain in the legs is a common problem that most people will experience at some point in their life. 

Depending on the cause of the pain, thigh pain can occur at any time, whether you are active, or just lying down.

While some of these causes of thigh pain are not to worry you, sometimes, the pain may indicate a bigger underlying problem.

So, have a look at all you need to know about thigh pain.

Symptoms of Thigh Pain

Thigh pain usually does not occur in the same way.  Sometimes, the pain may come suddenly and disappear while at other times it may remain for quite some time.

Here are some of the more common symptoms of thigh pain.

 

• Numbness

• Itching

• A burning sensation

• Difficulty in walking

• Throbbing

• Tingling

Causes of Pain in the Back of Thighs

Diagnosing the cause of any pain in the back of thighs is not easy because this part of the body contains so many muscles, tendons, and ligaments. 

If the pain is the result of minor injuries at home, then you can easily treat them yourself.

However, if the pain is sudden, persistent or does not seem to have an underlying cause, it may be best to seek medical attention.

 

Here are some of the causes of Thigh Pain:

Muscle Injuries

 This is, perhaps, the most common cause of thigh pain.   The back of the thigh contains different muscles and getting a muscle injury is quite common.

Muscle injuries come in the form of either sprains or strains. Sprains occur when a ligament is torn or stretched while a strain occurs when the same happens to a tendon.

Muscle injuries may be accompanied by soreness, swelling, weakness, and stiffness.

Besides sprains and strains, muscle injuries may also occur as a result of a sedentary lifestyle or overusing the hamstring.  Not getting warmed up before working out could also cause muscle injuries.

 

Nerve Pain

If the nerves in the thigh are damaged, nerve pain will occur in the upper thigh.  Due to the damage to the nerves, it is common to experience severe pain, even when there is no physical injury.

Nerve damage is commonly caused by peripheral nephropathy.  

This condition is a complication of diabetes and is as a result of the uncontrolled high blood sugar levels. The pain may often be followed by shooting pains and numbness as well as a tingling sensation.

 

Trauma

Trauma is another common cause of thigh pain.  Suppose you have some blunt force applied to your thigh. 

Chances are high that you will suffer some pain from the trauma. The intensity of the pain in the back of the thighs will be affected by how active you are.

The more active you are, the more painful it gets.   However, staying active may help you recover much faster.   You may also experience some bruising depending on the degree of trauma.

 

Deep Vein Thrombosis

This simply refers to a blood clot in one of the veins in your thigh.  Typically, blood clots are not usually painful.   However, should one occur deep in one of the veins in your thigh, you may find yourself experiencing severe pain.

Other symptoms that are common in the case of deep vein thrombosis include warmth, swelling, redness, and tenderness.   It is important to have any blood clots diagnosed and treated immediately. 

If not, the clot can travel up to the lungs and cause pulmonary embolism, which is a life-threatening condition.

Some of the risk factors for deep vein thrombosis include being overweight, heavy smoking, hormone therapy, pregnancy, surgery, and a family history of the condition.

 

How to Treat Thigh Pain in the Back of the Legs

The kind of treatment that you get to relieve the pain in the back of your thigh will depend entirely on its cause.  

For some causes, you can easily have the pain treated at home.   Other causes may require that you seek medical help and get prescribed medication.

 

Home Remedies

Thigh muscle pain remedy can often be achieved at home.   Both muscle sprains and strains can improve within a short time by employing some common home remedy solutions.

For minor sprains, strains and even trauma to the thigh be sure to use ice, heat packs, compression, elevation and gentle massage at frequent intervals. 

The pain should subside in a few days.  However, if the pain persists, it is important to see a doctor as there may be an underlying problem.

 

Medication

If the diagnosis by a doctor shows a serious underlying condition, they will prescribe some medication to help with the pain. 

Often, medication will be required for conditions such as arthritis.  

Some conditions, such as peripheral neuropathy, cannot be treated. However, the doctor will prescribe some pain management drugs.

 

Exercise

Leading a sedentary lifestyle can also cause some thigh pain.  

To alleviate this pain, you may have to do a bit of exercising.  

For people who may not be capable of having some time set out for exercising, you can easily incorporate a bit of walking into your schedule.

Ensure that you take a walk for a few minutes each day and do a few push-ups and sit-ups.  

While it may not be the ideal exercise routines, they will help keep you active and avoid thigh pain as a result of a sedentary lifestyle.

 

Change of Lifestyle

Changing your lifestyle can help to get rid of thigh pain as well as avoid any future incidences.  

Eating healthy and exercising often are some of the things that you can do to change your current lifestyle.

People who experience thigh pain as a result of peripheral nephropathy are especially advised to change their lifestyle since the condition has no known cure.

 

Conclusion

Chronic thigh pain may be common but can be quite uncomfortable. 

Although diagnosing pain in the back of the thighs may be difficult, it is important to do so to eliminate any serious underlying issues.

Thigh pain is not often a cause for concern. 

Should you experience this, try some of the home remedies.  

However, if the pain persists, seek professional help and get started on treatment immediately.