Pain in Inner Thigh

Muscular Strains

Groin pull or groin strains are common causes of inner thigh pain. This type of injury occurs when the adductor muscles of the thigh have been strained, either from running, jumping, kicking actions, twisting, or high impact sports. It can also result from a sudden stop or turn during an activity. Inner thigh pain from exercise can range from mild to severe depending on the extent of the injury. If the muscle connecting the thigh bone to the pubic bone is strained, you may feel mild discomfort; however, if there is a complete rupture, a much more severe pain will occur.

Kidney Stones

Kidney stones form inside kidneys when there is decreased urine volume and/or a high level of stone-forming substances in urine. They are usually small and crystal-like deposits. This can cause pain to either the groin or thigh area. It’s usually a very intense and sudden pain that occurs in spasms. The pain will go away between spasms and then come back.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

This problem is most common in pregnant women. The ligament that holds the pelvic bone relaxes due to a hormone that makes it easier for the baby to pass through the pelvis. It also makes the pelvic bone unstable and can cause intense pain that radiates down into the inner thigh. Walking, standing, and rolling can make the pain worse.

Inguinal Hernia

Inguinal hernia is the most common forms of hernia. It occurs when soft tissue protrudes through a weak point in the groin at the top of inner thigh. This can cause pain in inner thigh. Check to see if you have any unusual growths or bulges in the groin area, as this can be a sign of a hernia. Some people are born with hernias, while others get this type of hernia due to increased pressure within abdomen, fluid in abdomen, chronic coughing or heavy lifting, excess weight or pregnancy, etc.

Osteoarthritis

Osteoarthritis occurs when the cartilage which cushions the joints breaks down. The deterioration of cartilage can be due to old age, genetics, obesity, joint injuries, bone deformities, having diabetes or gout, rheumatoid arthritis, etc. Osteoarthritis commonly affect joints of the hips, knees, fingers, neck and lower spine. Symptoms of osteoarthritis in hip may include pain in inner thigh, groin buttocks or even a limp. The pain often gets worse gradually. Other symptoms may include tenderness, stiffness or grating sensation in the joints or bone spurs.

Osteosarcoma

Osteosarcoma is a cancerous bone tumor that most commonly found in children and teenagers. The growth is typically found in the upper arm, shin or thigh. It causes serious bone pain, which can manifest as inner thigh pain. The person will also experience restricted mobility, swelling, redness where the growth is or even limping if the tumor is in a leg bone.

Other Causes

Some other causes of pain in inner thigh are lipoma, edema, septic arthritis, sciatica, or side effects from surgery like hip replacements or knee replacements.

Muscular Strain

If the pain in inner thigh is entirely muscular, there are plenty of home remedies you can try if the pain is not too severe.

• Stop Exercising

Stop any activity or exercise as soon as you start to feel pain. Your inner thigh needs to rest.

• Elevate Your Leg

To minimize swelling, keep your leg higher than your heart as much as possible for the first 24 hours.

• Apply an Ice Pack

Applying an ice pack will help reduce the swelling in the affected area, and may even help decrease some of the damage. The ice pack should be applied for 20 to 30 minutes at most. You can also massage the sore area with the ice pack for 10 minutes and repeat this procedure about 4 times per day for the next 2 to 3 days.

• Support the Muscle

After applying an ice pack, wrap the inner thigh with a compression wrap or an elastic support bandage. The wrap or bandage will apply pressure to the inner thigh. This will give the leg more support and help reduce the pain.

• Try OTC Pain Relievers

Some nonprescription NSAIDs such as aspirin, naproxen and ibuprofen may relieve pain and reduce inflammation if taken according to directions. Consult your doctor before you take a pain reliever. Your doctor will find the medicine which is best for you. You can also use pain-relieving ointments to reduce discomfort.

• Perform Groin Stretches

Gentle stretches and strengthening exercises can help you prevent further strain. However, stretches shouldn’t even be attempted until your pain goes away and the swelling disappears.

How to Stretch: Sit on the ground with the soles of your feet together. Grip your feet with your hands and slowly lower your knees to the ground. DO NOT FORCE ANYTHING during the stretch. Always stretch carefully and slowly. If you start to feel pain during the exercise, stop immediately.

• Eat a Balanced Diet

Eat protein-rich foods like poultry, meat, fish, cheese, eggs, and milk to help rebuild the damage muscle in inner thigh. Also, be sure to eat more fiber and keep hydrated to prevent constipation from decreased activity.

Watch the video below to learn about how to treat groin strain using Kinesiolog tap:

Kidney Stones

If you have kidney stones, talk to your doctor immediately.

• ŸPain relievers will be recommended by your doctor to help with the pain in inner thigh or other parts of the body. Your doctor may also prescribe other medicines to help pass the kidney stone.

• Ÿ Drinking enough fluid may help flush a small stone out of your urinary system. The symptom of pain in inner thigh will disappear if a small stone is passed out of your body.

• If the stones are too large to pass on their own, or some severe symptoms such as blood in urine or urinary tract infections occur, invasive treatment may be required to remove the kidney stones, including extracorporeal shock wave lithotripsy, scope or surgeries.

Symphysis Pubis Dysfunction

Symphysis pubis dysfunction can be easily managed by proper treatments. Your doctor or health provider will teach you how to do some exercises to ease pain and also give you some advice on how to do daily activities without too much pain. Acupuncture is safe and may help to ease pain in inner thigh. Otherwise, chiropractic and osteopathy treatment may also help. But always see the experienced and registered practitioners. And a pelvis support belt will also help relieve the pain and discomfort.

Inguinal Hernia

If you have an inguinal hernia, you will most likely need surgery. There are two types of surgeries: open hernia repair and laparoscopic repair. Before the surgery, avoid heavy lifting or any sort of strenuous activity which could increase the size of the hernia.

Osteoarthritis

Although there is no specific cure for osteoarthritis, the symptoms can be managed through proper treatments. Certain medications such as Acetaminophen, OTC nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs may help relieve the pain in the inner thigh and other joints. Your doctor may also suggest physical or occupational therapy. And keeping a healthy weight and doing some low impact exercises such as walking and yoga are the best ways to treat osteoarthritis. If the treatments don’t work, you may consider lubrication injections, cortisone shots, or joint replacement, etc.

Osteosarcoma

Once the cancer is diagnosed, patients can start with chemotherapy to reduce the size of tumor. Ultimately, surgery will be required to remove it.

Contact your doctor if:

• The pain in inner thigh is so severe that you have difficulty walking.

• The self-care treatments described here don’t work after several days.

Your doctor can detect the exact cause and choose the right treatment for you.