Numerous conditions can cause muscle pain in the upper leg area or thigh. According to the Physio Advisor website, muscle pain in the thigh may be caused by structures outside the thigh, such as the lower back, hips and sacroiliac joints--the joints that link the lower part of the spine with the hip bones. However, upper leg pain can also be caused by traumatic and repetitive strain injuries of the thigh muscles.
Muscle Bruise
A muscle bruise, also known as a contusion, is a common cause of muscle pain in the upper leg area. Muscle bruises often occur among athletes who participate in contact sports, such as football or martial arts. Muscle bruises are the second most common cause of injuries, behind muscle strains or tears. Common signs and symptoms associated with muscle bruises include pain and tenderness in the affected area, skin discoloration over the injury site, a palpable lump in the damaged tissue and decreased range of motion in the involved body part or segment. The American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons notes that most muscle bruises are minor injuries and heal quickly. However, severe contusions can cause significant tissue damage that can lead to health complications. In some cases, muscle bruises can disable an athlete for several months.
Quadriceps Strain
A quadriceps muscle strain can cause muscle pain in the upper leg area. A quadriceps muscle strain involves a stretching or tearing of the muscle fibers that compose one or more of the quadriceps muscles. The quadriceps muscles--vastus lateralis, vastus medialis, vastus intermedius and rectus femoris--are located on the anterior or front side of the thigh. The quadriceps muscles are responsible for flexing the thigh at the hip and extending the lower leg at the knee. Quadriceps strains are graded on a scale of one to three, with grade three being the most severe. Common signs and symptoms associated with a grade three quadriceps strain include sudden, severe pain in the thigh, an inability to walk without the assistance of crutches, immediate swelling in the affected area, bruising that manifests within 24 hours and pain in the upper leg area with resisted knee extension.
DOMS
Delayed onset muscle soreness, or DOMS, can cause temporary muscle pain in the upper leg area. DOMS is a common type of muscle soreness that manifests following vigorous exercise or exercise that is significantly more than a person is accustomed. DOMS usually develops in muscles that performed repeated eccentric contractions, according to the Sports Injury Clinic. Eccentric contractions are muscle contractions in which a lengthened muscle is forced to contract. The quadriceps muscles in the upper leg area are among the most commonly affected muscles. Hiking or running downhill, along with squatting and bounding exercises, can cause DOMS in the quadriceps. Common signs and symptoms associated with DOMS include muscle aching, muscle tightness and reduced active range of motion in the affected body part or segment. DOMS-related pain usually last for about three days post-exercise.
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