Dr. Kundlas
Inner thigh pain is most often a strained groin muscle (the adductors), and it usually improves in one to three weeks with rest, ice and gentle stretching. In adults over 50, hip arthritis, a hernia, or a pinched nerve in the lower back are also common causes. A swollen, warm, tender thigh can be a blood clot and needs to be checked the same day, and a clot with chest pain or shortness of breath is a 911 emergency.
Common causes of inner thigh pain
Groin strain (adductor strain)
The adductor muscles run along the inner thigh and pull your legs together. A sudden side step, a slip, getting out of a car awkwardly, or a new exercise can strain them. You may feel sharp pain high in the inner thigh, bruising, and pain when you squeeze your knees together or lift your leg. Most mild strains heal in one to three weeks. More serious tears can take longer.
Hip arthritis
Arthritis of the hip joint often hurts in the groin and inner thigh, not on the side of the hip as many people expect. It causes stiffness after sitting, pain with walking, and trouble putting on socks or getting in and out of a car. It is very common after age 50.
Hernia
A hernia happens when tissue pushes through a weak spot in the belly wall near the groin. You may see or feel a bulge that gets bigger when you stand, cough or lift, and goes down when you lie flat. Inguinal hernias are more common in men. Femoral hernias, which sit a little lower, where the inner thigh meets the groin, are more common in women and are more likely to get stuck.
Pinched nerve in the lower back
Nerves from the lower back supply the front and inner thigh. A pinched nerve or spinal stenosis can cause burning, shooting or electric pain that comes and goes, numbness, or weakness in the thigh. Back pain may or may not be present.
Blood clot (deep vein thrombosis, or DVT)
A clot in a deep vein of the leg can cause swelling of one leg, warmth, redness or darker color, a heavy ache, and tenderness along the inner thigh or calf. The risk is higher after surgery or a hospital stay, during long car or plane trips, with cancer, with estrogen or some other hormone treatments, with a past clot, or when you have been less active than usual. A clot can break off and travel to the lungs (pulmonary embolism), which is life threatening.
Hip fracture or stress fracture
After a fall, pain in the groin or inner thigh with trouble standing or walking can mean a broken hip, even if the leg looks normal. People with osteoporosis can also get small stress fractures without a big fall.
Other causes
- Kidney stones can cause sharp pain that spreads from the side or back into the groin and inner thigh, often with nausea or blood in the urine.
- Swollen lymph nodes in the groin can cause a tender lump, usually from an infection in the leg or groin area.
- Shingles can cause burning pain on one side before a rash appears.
- Chafing, ingrown hairs and skin infections can cause soreness of the skin itself, especially in Florida heat.
- Some cholesterol medicines (statins) can cause muscle aches, usually in both legs. Do not stop a medicine on your own, but tell your doctor.
Sharp pain in the inner thigh that comes and goes
Pain that flashes and fades is often a strained muscle that hurts with certain moves, a pinched nerve, or a hernia that hurts when you strain or cough. A kidney stone can cause waves of severe pain. Pay attention to what sets it off. Pain with walking or rising from a chair points toward the hip or muscle, pain with coughing or lifting points toward a hernia, and pain with tingling points toward a nerve.
Safe home care for inner thigh pain
With inner thigh pain in an older adult, the first thing I look at is the leg itself. If one thigh or calf is swollen, warm, red or darker in color, do not massage it or stretch it hard. Get it checked the same day, because it could be a blood clot.
For a strain or ache without those signs:
- Rest from the activity that caused it for a few days. Short, easy walks are fine if they do not make it worse.
- Ice for 15 to 20 minutes at a time, a few times a day, for the first two to three days. After that, warmth can help stiff muscles.
- Over the counter pain relief can help. For adults over 50, acetaminophen (Tylenol) is usually the first choice; follow the dosing on the label. Avoid ibuprofen or naproxen, or ask your doctor first, if you have kidney disease, heart disease, stomach ulcers, or take a blood thinner.
- After a few days, try a gentle butterfly stretch. Sit, put the soles of your feet together, and let your knees fall out until you feel a mild stretch. Hold 20 to 30 seconds and repeat three times. Stop if it causes sharp pain.
- Squeeze a pillow gently between your knees for 5 seconds, then relax, 10 times. This starts strengthening the inner thigh once the sharp pain is gone.
- Sit less. Get up and move every 30 to 60 minutes, especially on long drives.
There is no safe way to make thigh pain go away immediately. Rest, ice and time are what help a strain. Pain that is severe enough that you are looking for an instant fix is a good reason to be seen.
When to see a doctor
Make an appointment if:
- Pain does not improve after one to two weeks of home care
- You notice a bulge in the groin or upper inner thigh
- Pain makes it hard to walk, climb stairs or put on shoes
- You have numbness, tingling or weakness in the leg
- You have pain with fever, or a tender lump in the groin
Get seen the same day if:
- One leg is swollen, warm, red or darker than the other (possible blood clot)
- You fell and have groin or thigh pain when you walk or stand
- You have severe pain with blood in the urine
CALL 911 RIGHT AWAY IF:
- Leg swelling or pain comes with sudden shortness of breath, chest pain that is worse with a deep breath, a fast heartbeat, fainting, or coughing up blood (possible blood clot in the lung)
- A groin bulge becomes painful, hard and cannot be pushed back in, especially with nausea, vomiting or a swollen belly (possible trapped hernia)
- You cannot stand or walk after a fall, or your leg looks shortened or turned out (possible broken hip)
- Your leg turns pale, cold, blue or numb
- You have severe pain with fever and confusion
Frequently asked questions
What causes inner thigh pain?
The most common cause is a strained groin muscle. Hip arthritis, a hernia, a pinched nerve in the lower back, a blood clot and kidney stones are other causes. Your age, recent activity and other symptoms help sort them out.
Why do I have sharp pain in my inner thigh that comes and goes?
Pain that comes and goes is often a muscle strain set off by certain moves, a pinched nerve, or a hernia that hurts with coughing or lifting. Waves of severe pain with nausea can be a kidney stone.
How can I tell inner thigh muscle pain from a blood clot?
Muscle pain usually follows activity, hurts when you use or stretch the muscle, and does not cause much swelling. A clot more often causes swelling of one leg, warmth, redness or darker skin, and a heavy ache. If you are not sure, get checked the same day.
How do I get rid of thigh pain fast?
For a strain, rest, ice for 15 to 20 minutes, and acetaminophen can ease pain. Healing still takes days to weeks. If the leg is swollen and warm, do not treat it at home, because it could be a clot.
Can hip arthritis cause inner thigh pain?
Yes. Hip arthritis often causes pain in the groin and inner thigh, with stiffness after sitting and trouble with socks and shoes.
Getting checked in Sebring or Lake Wales
Inner thigh pain has many causes, and an exam usually narrows them down quickly. We can check your hip, back, groin and veins, and order an X-ray, ultrasound or other test if needed.
Shield Medical Group has two offices:
- Sebring: 4597 Casablanca Cir, Sebring FL 33870. Phone (863) 236-9550. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m., Saturday 10 a.m. to 1 p.m.
- Lake Wales: 23607 US Highway 27 N, Lake Wales FL 33859. Monday to Friday 8 a.m. to 5 p.m.
You can book an appointment, and walk-ins are welcome for new and established patients. We accept many Medicare Advantage plans, so call to ask about yours.
Medical disclaimer
This article is for general education only and is not medical advice. It does not replace an exam by your own doctor. If you think you are having a medical emergency, call 911.
