Thigh Symptoms

What are the signs of thigh problems?

Among the most common complaints affecting the thigh are painful thigh symptoms associated with neurologic or musculoskeletal disorders. The most common types of complaints are burning sensations on the outer side of the thigh (caused by pressure on a large sensory nerve leading to the leg); sharp, shooting pains that run from the buttock down the back of the thigh and leg (referred to as sciatica); weakness, numbness or tingling (associated with nerve compression); cramping or pain that is felt in the lower back, buttocks and thigh, often all together (one of the hallmark signs of spinal stenosis).

The most frequent causes of these thigh symptoms are muscle irritation or inflammation, particularly of the piriformis muscle in the buttocks; fracture in the pelvis; and pressure on the spinal cord or the nerve roots leading in and out of the spinal cord caused by such disorders as herniated disc, degenerative disc disease, spinal stenosis, or tumor.

Thigh symptoms can be part of a serious condition, particularly when the injury or disorder is putting pressure on the nerves of the spinal cord. Seek immediate medical care (call 911) for serious symptoms of nerve compression, such as loss of sensation in the limbs or shoulders; a complete loss of balance; high fever (higher than 101 degrees Fahrenheit); or loss of bladder or bowel control, especially in combination with weakness in your legs.

Also seek immediate careif you experience abnormal sensations in the legs, leg pain and swelling, impaired balance and coordination, or weakness (loss of strength). If your thigh symptoms are persistent or cause you concern, seek prompt medical care.