A person may experience upper thigh muscle pain due to impact trauma, sprains, or strains. Pain in the upper thigh may also occur due to nerve damage, blood clots, or arthritis.

This pain may often be due to minor muscle injuries that are treatable at home. However, when the pain is intense or does not go away, it may signal a more serious problem.

In this article, we examine some common causes of pain in the upper thigh, along with any symptoms that may occur alongside it. We also take a look at the treatment options and how to prevent this type of pain.

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Because of a large numberTrusted Source of muscles in the upper thigh, pain in this area is often due to a muscle injury. Some common muscle injuries in this area include:

Muscle sprains and strains

Sprains and strains can affect any of the many muscles, ligaments, and tendons in the thigh. A sprain is a torn or stretched ligament. Ligaments connect bones to other bones. A strain is a torn or stretched muscle or tendon. Tendons connect muscles to bones.

Symptoms of a strain or sprain include:

  • sudden pain following a fall, an intense workout, or an overstretched joint
  • pain that spreads (radiates) up or down
  • difficulty stretching or moving the thigh
  • swelling around the painful area

Injuries from overuse

Overuse injuries can occur when a muscle in or around the thigh is worked too hard for too long, or when a person does not warm up before exercise. The pain tends to get worse with time. Eventually, the pain may occur even when a person rests the injured area.

The main signTrusted Source of an overuse injury is pain following exercise or intense physical activity. The pain may affect both thighs.

Sedentary lifestyle

Not getting enough exercise or spending too much time sitting each day can damage the muscles, causingTrusted Source chronic pain.

Sitting for long periods can put pressure on the joints and muscles, particularly on the hips and legs. Lack of activity may also cause the muscles to weaken, triggering widespread muscle pain.

People who have upper thigh pain due to a sedentary lifestyle may also feel pain throughout their body. The pain can move or change in intensity over time, and some people with this type of pain may experience widespread chronic pain.

Radiating pain from another injury

Injuries in other areas of the body can cause pain to spread to the upper thighs. For instance, a hip injury may radiate down to the legs.

Some injuries change how a person walks, causing them to stiffen their muscles without realizing it. This can cause pain in the thighs and legs. If a person feels pain in nearby areas, such as in the hips or knees, this could also be the reason why their thighs hurt.

People may also experience pain from nerves in the upper thigh. Nerve pain occurs when there is damage to the nerves. This creates the feeling of pain even when there is not a physical injury to the thigh.

Some common types of nerve pain include:

Peripheral neuropathy

Peripheral neuropathy is nerve damage that causes nerve pain. It is often dueTrusted Source to other conditions, such as diabetes.

People with this pain may experience unusual sensations in the thighs and elsewhere, including burning, numbness, prickly sensations, and shooting pains.

Meralgia paresthetica

Meralgia paresthetica is also called Bernhardt-Roth syndrome. Damage to or pressure on the lateral femoral cutaneous nerveTrusted Source, a nerve that affects feeling in the outside of the thigh, can cause this painful sensation.

A person may experience this pain as burning or shooting, and the condition can cause periodic numbness in the upper thigh and hips.

There are several other reasons a person may experience pain in their thigh.

Chronic conditions

Numerous chronic conditions can cause pain in the upper thigh. People with fibromyalgia experience chronic, widespread painTrusted Source at specific pressure points. Leg pain often occurs just above the knees and on the back of the upper thighs.

Various types of arthritis can cause pain throughout the body, including in the thighs. The pain of osteoarthritis is often concentrated in the hip and knee joints but may radiate down or up.

Blood clots

Rarely, pain in the upper thigh can be due to a blood clot in a blood vessel. Also called deep vein thrombosis (DVT), this painful condition can become life threatening if the clot breaks loose and travels to the lungs, heart, or brain.

People who take long flights, are sedentary for extended periods, have poor circulation, smoke, have cardiovascular disease, or are pregnant or overweight are at a heightened riskTrusted Source of developing DVT.

Symptoms include:

  • unexplained pain in a leg that does not get better after a few days
  • swelling, redness, or heat along a leg vein
  • tenderness in a specific spot on the leg
  • pain when walking
  • shortness of breath when a clot breaks loose and moves to the heart and then to the lungs (pulmonary embolus)

A blood clot is a medical emergency that needs immediate medical treatment.

Sometimes, pain can radiate to the front, sides, and back of the thigh, and each might occur due to different causes.

Outside of the thigh

A trapped nerve in the third vertebrae in the lower back (L3), also known as sciatica, may causeTrusted Source pain to radiate to the outside of the thigh.

Back of the thigh

Injuries or sprains of the hamstring can causeTrusted Source pain in the back of the thigh.

Front of the thigh

Sciatica in L3 might also refer pain to the front of the thigh. A strain or bruise of the quadriceps can also cause pain in this area.

Upper thigh pain has many causes, and its risk factors vary. These risk factors include:

No single test can diagnose the cause of upper thigh pain.

The process usually begins with a physical exam of the area. The doctor will also take a complete medical history and ask about recent injuries.

If the doctor finds no obvious cause, diagnostic tests may include:

If upper thigh pain is severe, appears suddenly, and does not improve within a few days, this is a cause for concern.

The pain may point to a blood clot in the leg. Blood clots can break loose and cause an embolism, which is when an artery becomes blocked and can be fatal in a matter of minutes.

In this case, a person should talk with a doctor immediately.

Treatment for upper thigh pain depends on its cause.

Minor injuries often improve with home treatment, including rest, heat, ice, compression, elevation, and gentle massage.

Other options for getting rid of upper thigh pain may include:

pain relief medication for unexplained chronic pain

medication for chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia and arthritis

surgery to repair damaged or trapped nerves

physical therapy and exercise therapy

surgery to repair damaged muscles, tendons, or ligaments

diabetes medications to prevent further nerve damage

blood thinners if there is a blood clot in the leg

alternative treatments, such as massage therapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture

A person may experience upper thigh pain due to nerve pain or damage, such as peripheral neuropathy or meralgia paresthetica.

Below are some commonly asked questions about upper thigh pain.

When should I be worried about upper thigh pain?

If upper thigh pain is severe, appears suddenly, and does not improve within a few days, this is a cause for concern.

The pain may point toTrusted Source a blood clot in the leg. Blood clots can break loose and cause an embolism, which is when an artery becomes blocked and can be fatal in a matter of minutes.

In this case, a person should talk with a doctor immediately.

How do I get rid of pain in my upper thigh?

Treatment for upper thigh pain depends on its cause.

Minor injuries often improve with home treatment, including rest, heat, ice, compression, elevation, and gentle massage.

Other options for getting rid of upper thigh pain may include:

  • pain relief medication for unexplained chronic pain
  • medication for chronic conditions, such as fibromyalgia and arthritis
  • surgery to repair damaged or trapped nerves
  • physical therapy and exercise therapy
  • surgery to repair damaged muscles, tendons, or ligaments
  • diabetes medications to prevent further nerve damage
  • blood thinners if there is a blood clot in the leg
  • alternative treatments, such as massage therapy, chiropractic, and acupuncture

What is the nerve pain in the top of the thigh?

A person may experience upper thigh pain due to nerve pain or damage, such as peripheral neuropathy or meralgia paresthetica.

Upper thigh pain may be caused by a minor injury to the thigh muscle or an underlying condition such as fibromyalgia or arthritis. In more serious cases, it can point to a blood clot.

However, most upper thigh pain is treatable and curable.

The most significant challenge with pain in this area of the body is getting a diagnosis. It can take visits to several specialists to work out the cause of the pain.

Not all pain is easily treatable, however. People with unexplained chronic pain may need to try several treatments before something works. With persistent treatment, however, most people can recover from upper thigh pain.