If you are not sure what is causing your thigh pain then try our Thigh pain symptom checker.
Thigh injuries are usually acute or sudden onset injuries. Muscle injuries such as groin strain, pulled hamstring (hamstring strain) and quad strain (thigh strain) are the more common thigh injuries. Thigh pain that comes on gradually is often an overuse injury such as groin tendonitis or inflammation.
Use the tabs below to view the most common thigh pain causes in the back of the thigh, front thigh pain and inner thigh and groin. Or use the menu on the left for all thigh injuries.
We have specific rehabilitation programs and exercises for many of the most common causes of hamstring, thigh and groin pain.
Test your knowledge with our quick ten question thigh pain quiz.
Quad strain
A tear in one of the four quadriceps muscles at the front of the thigh. Symptoms include a sharp pain in thigh at the time of injury. Swelling and bruising may occur but not always.
Myositis ossificans
The devlopment of a bony growth within a muscle following a contusion that is not treated correctly in the first place. Symptoms include pain in the muscle when it is exercised and a hard lump may be felt.
Quad Contusion
A contusion is a hematoma (bleeding in the muscle) caused by a direct impact from an object or another player. A common cause of front thigh pain and outer thigh pain. It is important initial first aid treament is applied or complications and further injury such as myositis ossificans may occur.
Hamstring strain
A tear in one of the three hamstring muscles at the back of the thigh usually during sprinting. Symptoms include a sudden sharp pain in the muscle. Initial first aid and application of cold therapy is essential.
Hamstring contusion
Bruising (a hematoma) in the hamstrings caused by a direct impact. The muscle is crushed against the bone causing bleeding and damage. Correct treatment is essential if complications and further injury are to be avoided.
Hamstring tendinitis
An overuse injury of the hamstring tendon, causing pain in the back of the thigh at the top just below the buttocks. This pain may come on gradually particularly after a hard training session.
Groin strain
A groin strain is a tear to one of the five adduction muscles in the groin. A sharp pain is often felt high on the inside of the thigh and can range in severity from very mild which hardly affects performance to a complete rupture of the going muscle which will require surgery. Application of cold therapy and compression as soon as possible is important.
Inguinal hernia
Hernias occur when part of the internal tissue (fat, muscle, intestines etc) bulge through a weakness in the overlying abdominal wall. Symptoms include pain in the groin when exercising, pain when coughing or sneezing and a bulge or lump in the groin.
Sportsmans Hernia
Sportsmans Hernia is also commonly known as Gilmore's Groin after than man that discovered the injury and pioneered surgery to cure it. Symptoms include a vague and persistant pain in the groin area. We talk to Jerry Gilmore himself to explain all.
Initial First Aid for Thigh Injuries
Following a sharp pain in the thigh whether front, back, side, high or low it is important to apply cold therapy and if possible compression. It is often not possible to do a full examination of the injury at pitch side or wherever the injury occurred. For any acute muscle injury applying ice or cold therapy will help stop any internal bleeding, reduce pain and inflammation.
A cold pack or wrap should be applied with compression to help prevent or reduce swelling which will speed up the healing process. Ice can be applied for 10 to 15 minutes every hour initially then regularly for the first 24 to 48 hours.
Thigh Pain Quiz
Try our quick quiz on thigh pain and see how much you know! Just click on the answer you think is correct.
- 1/10
0
0
Q: The quadriceps muscle group is made of of how many muscles?
- A: 1
- B: 2
- C: 3
- D: 4
