There can be many causes of experiencing pain in the inner thigh, including muscle strain, a hernia, and kidney stones.
Home remedies can often alleviate the pain, but, depending on the cause, medical treatment may also be needed.
Any potential causes of inner thigh pain, other symptoms, and ways of treating them will be discuss in this article.
What is inner thigh pain?
Pain around the inner portion of the thigh may either be identified as, depending on its cause:
- a dull ache
- a sharp pain
In the muscles or adductors of the inner thigh, a person can feel pain. Such muscles are situated near the groin, which refers to the hip area between the stomach and the thigh. Because of this proximity, pain in the groin and inner thigh can overlap.
Inner thigh pain with other symptoms can occur, such as:
- muscle stiffness
- limited range of motion
- inflammation
- clicking or grinding when moving
Depending upon the cause, other signs may also be present.
Causes
Muscle injuries
By such movements or activities, the inner thigh muscles, or adductors, may become strained or torn. Running or turning too quickly may involve these. In the inner thigh or groin area, the resulting muscle damage may cause pain.
Depending on the extent to which the muscle has been affected, the severity of the pain can vary. Swelling or bruising around the affected area may also accompany the pain.
Bone conditions
In the thigh region, bone conditions that affect the hip may cause discomfort.
Osteoarthritis, a condition in which cartilage on the ends of the bones is broken down , causing inflammation in the joints, is one example.
Other osteoarthritis signs include the following:
- Pain and stiffness in the surrounding joints, which can spread to the inner thigh
- a grating or crackling sounds when moving
Another bone condition is called femoroacetabular impingement. In the hip joint, this occurs as extra bone develops, causing friction between the bones as they rub together. This can cause joint damage, discomfort or an ache in the thighs, stiffness, or a limp over time.
Osteosarcoma is a rare form of bone cancer that occurs around the knee, including the femur or thigh bone, most often in rising bones. In individuals aged 10 to 25, it is most common. In the affected region, it can cause swelling and tenderness.
Hernia
When an internal part of the body pushes through the surrounding muscle or tissue wall, a hernia occurs.
The most common form of hernia are inguinal hernias. They arise in the region of the groin where the intestines push through the lower abdomen, causing the appearance of a fleshy bulge.
In the affected area, including the inner thigh, pain can be felt. There may be no or very few other symptoms.
Kidney stones
In the kidneys, kidney stones are where crystals build up to form a solid lump. They can cause significant discomfort when they move through the urinary tract, particularly with larger stones. Sharp pains in the inner thigh can be felt.
Additional symptoms might include:
- aching in lower back or groin area
- restlessness
- nausea
- pain when urinating
- intense bouts of abdominal pain
- blood in urine
pregnancy
Someone who is pregnant, a condition that causes the pelvic bone to become dysfunctional, may develop pubic dysfunction. This is caused by being too relaxed by the ligaments protecting the pelvic bone and usually happens during the second trimester.
This can cause intense pain in the pelvis, which, like the inner thigh, can be felt in surrounding areas. It can also limit mobility and, when moving, trigger clicking or grinding noises.
Menstruation
An individual can feel cramps, aches, or pains in other areas of their body near the uterus, along with uterus cramps. The back, pelvis, and thighs contain these.
If, during menstruation, a person has severe pain in their lower abdomen and the surrounding region, it may be worth consulting a doctor.
Among those that which cause painful periods are two conditions called endometriosis and adenomyosis. With diagnosis and treatment, these disorders can be controlled.
Treatment
Any inner thigh pain can be alleviated by experimenting with various household or natural remedies. This may include:
- Resting. Avoiding activity in the thighs is important in the early stages of a muscle injury, or immediately after physical activity in people with bone conditions.
- Heat and ice therapy. Hot compresses or ice packs can reduce inflammation, therefore alleviating pain in the inner thigh. This is useful for osteoarthritis and muscular injuries.
- Physiotherapy. Physiotherapy can help with the symptoms of femoroacetabular impingement, or in some cases, osteoarthritis. It can also be used to return function to a muscle following injury, after a suitable rest period.
- Painkillers. Over-the-counter or prescription pain medication can be enough to alleviate inner thigh pain in some cases.
- Bandages or compression wraps. These can provide additional support for a muscular injury, and help it heal faster. Both are available to purchase in supermarkets, pharmacies, and online.
- Hot bath. Soaking the muscles can reduce pain, as it helps to relax the inner thigh muscle.
- Supportive equipment. Using a cane or a brace can reduce pressure on the joints, which is particularly useful for bone conditions, such as osteoarthritis.
- Pelvic support belt. These are used to stabilize the pelvis in people with pubis dysfunction to reduce pain
- Lifestyle changes. For instance, weight loss may reduce pressure on the joints in people with bone conditions.
When determining what strategies to try, it is important to find out the source of inner thigh pain. In order to relieve the discomfort, more extreme conditions, such as hernias, osteosarcoma or kidney stones, will require hospital treatment or surgery.
Prevention
By making lifestyle changes, it is possible to lower the risk of experiencing inner thigh pain from certain causes. Such modifications might include:
- losing weight
- avoiding high-intensity exercise
- keeping hydrated
- eating a balanced diet, rich in vitamin D and calcium
- maintaining good physical fitness
- using proper footwear when exercising
- avoiding lifting heavy objects
Some causes, such as kidney stones or pubis dysfunction, are not as easily preventable.
When to see a doctor
In most cases, pain in the inner thigh is temporary and can be treated with home remedies or medication for over-the-counter pain. Medical treatment should, however, be obtained if the pain is constant or serious.
If the inner thigh pain has formed into a lump, it may be a hernia that needs medical attention. Intense pain in the abdomen may mean that kidney stones are the cause of inner thigh pain, which would require urgent emergency treatment.
Outlook
There are no significant health risks in most cases of inner thigh pain, and they are mostly caused by muscle injury. Within a few days, the pain will sometimes stop, although, depending on the source, it may also take longer. If the pain is the product of a more severe health problem, it can normally be controlled without the need for medical attention.
