Pain, numbness, burning muscle in the thigh area is one of the common symptoms of diseases of the spine, femur and muscles, and pelvis. At the Yusupov Hospital, doctors identify the cause of muscle pain in the thigh using modern examination methods. Comprehensive diagnostics allows you to timely determine the cause and stop the disease.
All conditions have been created for the treatment of patients:
- Chambers of European comfort level;
- The use of the latest drugs with a minimal range of side effects;
- Innovative methods of rehabilitation therapy.
Doctors take an individual approach to choosing a treatment method for each patient. Professors and doctors of the highest category discuss all cases of severe pain in the thigh muscle at a meeting of the expert council and make a collegial decision regarding further tactics for managing the patient.
general description
Pain in the pelvis on the right or left is often complemented by an inflammatory process, pinching of the sciatic nerve or its irritation. In such a situation, the aching pain often spreads to the leg, thigh and buttocks. It becomes more pronounced during physical activity and when performing certain loads.
Painful sensations appear from the thigh and tailbone, spread to the muscles of the buttock, to the back of the thigh and calves, and radiate to the foot, without moving to the phalanges of the fingers. Pain is felt throughout the entire limb. Most often, this unpleasant symptom affects only one lower limb. In some cases, sciatica occurs on both limbs.
When pain occurs, especially if it lasts for a long time, the general condition of the body suffers, and a person’s gait changes. He tries to reduce the load on the diseased limb by transferring it to the healthy one. This is how lameness occurs.
How to relieve severe pain
If the pain appears as a result of severe physical strain, you can relieve the discomfort at home:
- taking a warm bath (you can add herbal decoctions or essential oils of chamomile, calendula, oak bark, linden blossom or mint to the water);
- having a light relaxing massage using creams or essential oils;
- making a cold compress (pieces of ice wrapped in cloth are applied to the sore spot).
You can also lie on your back with your legs elevated, which will help restore blood circulation in your legs.
Causes of pain not related to joints
There are many factors that provoke pain in the pelvis, which extends to the lower extremities. To carry out the correct therapy, it is necessary not only to establish a diagnosis, but also to determine the reason why it appeared. Provoking factors for the appearance of pain can be pathologies of the articular apparatus or internal organs, or there may be other reasons.
In the event that there are no degenerative-dystrophic changes in the joint apparatus, the following factors can cause pain:
- The period of bearing a child. Unpleasant symptoms in the pelvis and lower back are triggered by changes in the body, pressure from the uterus on the internal organs, and compression of the joints. Often women during this period of life suffer from aching pain that radiates to the limbs.
- Diseases of an inflammatory or infectious nature that affect soft tissues and nerve fibers. The pain is sharp or aching in nature.
- Obesity. In this case, the spine experiences increased stress, and unpleasant symptoms occur in the pelvis and lower back.
- Hypothermia. Against the background of hypothermia, diseases of the joint and bone apparatus often begin to develop.
- Tumor-like processes in the spinal column of a benign or malignant nature.
- Diseases of the muscular system.
- Diseases associated with metabolic disorders. These are diabetes mellitus, gout, rheumatism.
Pain in the lumbar or pelvic area, which radiates to the lower limb, can cause sciatica. This pathology is accompanied by pinching of the sciatic nerve. Sciatica can be caused by prolonged exposure to an uncomfortable position, constant sedentary work, or hypothermia. Spinal diseases can also provoke this problem.
Types of pain
Painful sensations while walking can vary in intensity and type. This is due to the provoking factor in the development of diseases, the individual pain threshold, and the stage of development of the disease.
Painful sensations can be severe or moderate. The nature of the pain is aching, sharp, stabbing, dull, pulling. When visiting a doctor, it is very important to establish the nature of this symptom; this will help to make a more accurate diagnosis and begin timely treatment.
The main types of unpleasant symptoms are:
- Acute pain. It is intense but short-lived. It is most pronounced in the pathologically changed area. In this case, the leg and buttock hurt slightly. Such pain is easier to cope with.
- Aching pain. In this case, the unpleasant sensations spread evenly throughout the entire limb, especially in those areas that are in close proximity to the damaged area. The pain can be aching and pulling, in this case diagnosis is difficult.
- Chronic pain. It is long lasting and is present over a long period. It is very difficult to get rid of it.
Joint diseases and their characteristic symptoms
With the development of joint diseases, pain occurs that radiates to the lower limb.
Arthritis of the hip joint
This disease is typical for older people. The main symptom is aching pain in the pelvis. If arthritis develops in the bone apparatus, a person feels discomfort and unpleasant sensations. With the development of arthritis of the periarticular structures, sharp, cutting pain appears during walking. Localization - anterior thigh. Complemented by stiffness of movements. In this case, the use of hormonal drugs, non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs is required, followed by physiotherapy, massage, and manual therapy.
Coxarthrosis of the hip joint
This pathology begins to develop after the age of 45. At the initial stages of development, symptoms practically do not appear. This is the insidiousness of the disease, since it can be determined already at the stage of irreversible changes.
Initially, mild pain occurs in the pelvic area, which gradually spreads to the limbs while walking. As the disease progresses, intra-articular cartilaginous structures are destroyed, and pain radiates to the limb. The pathological process is complemented by compression and pinching of nerve endings and ligaments in the pelvis. The pain is constant and is accompanied by shooting pain in the groin and knee areas. In addition to conservative treatment of hip pain, physiotherapy is prescribed depending on the cause.
Bursitis of the hip joint
The hip bone is surrounded by a special cavity - the articular capsule. When it becomes inflamed, bursitis is diagnosed. There are two types of the disease - vertical and ischiogluteal bursitis. It is difficult for a person to lie on the side where the joint capsule is inflamed, as he experiences severe pain and discomfort. Treatment of bursitis involves the administration of glucocorticosteroids by injection. It is also necessary to limit physical activity during an acute pathological process.
Tendinitis
Most often, this pathological process develops in people who engage in heavy physical activity or in those who play professional sports. In this case, the ligaments are affected and the mobility of the articular apparatus is limited. A person experiences severe pain when trying to lean on the affected limb.
Osteomyelitis
The disease is characterized by damage to the long tubular bones of the limb. This is an infectious process that is accompanied by swelling, joint deformation, local hyperthermia, redness of the inflamed area and severe pain.
Diagnosis of pathology
Painful sensations can occur in the presence of various diseases. It is not recommended to try to get rid of unpleasant symptoms on your own. It is very important to establish the correct diagnosis, and then undergo the prescribed treatment for hip joints in Moscow in a specialized clinic.
To determine the provoking factor in the development of unpleasant symptoms, doctors use various diagnostic methods. First, a visual inspection and palpation of the painful area is performed. The doctor also collects medical history data.
Based on patient complaints, diagnostic procedures are prescribed:
- Laboratory testing of blood and urine.
- Biochemical blood test.
- Radiography.
- Tests for rheumatoid factor.
- Proteinogram.
- CT scan.
- Magnetic resonance imaging.
- Determination of vascular patency.
- Ultrasonography.
The most important
Most often, nagging pain in the leg from the hip to the foot occurs when the spinal nerves, which are located in the lumbosacral segment, are pinched. Also, discomfort in one or both limbs often provokes varicose veins. To avoid dangerous consequences, you need to consult a doctor if painful sensations appear, especially if they occur regularly, are accompanied by swelling, changes in body temperature, the appearance of venous nodes, etc. If the pain occurs rarely and goes away quickly, then there is no need to worry. Treatment of pathologies that provoke nagging pain is carried out only after a thorough diagnosis and determination of the cause. Therapy should be comprehensive: medication, exercise therapy, diet, physiotherapy, massage, etc.
Features of the treatment of pain of different types
Treatment methods are selected depending on the established diagnosis. To temporarily relieve pain, you can take a painkiller. It will only act for a short time. Since the cause is not eliminated, the unpleasant sensations return again.
Most often, for diseases of the articular system, doctors prescribe conservative therapy. Medications are prescribed - steroidal or non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs, vasodilators, chondroprotectors, vitamin complexes. Additionally, physiotherapeutic procedures are prescribed.
If the disease is at an advanced stage of development, conservative therapy may be ineffective. In such a situation, doctors consider the advisability of surgical intervention. For bursitis, removal of fluid from the periarticular bursa is indicated. For infectious diseases, in addition to basic therapy, antibacterial drugs are prescribed.
Treatment
Help before diagnosis
In case of traumatic injuries, ensure limb rest. In case of fractures, the leg is fixed using two splints: the inner one from the foot to the groin, the outer one to the armpit. Cold is applied to the leg, in case of severe injuries, painkillers are administered, and anti-shock measures are carried out according to indications. The severity of symptoms of myositis and tendonitis is reduced with the help of anti-inflammatory, analgesic gels and ointments. Sharp pain, significant swelling, and problems with general condition are reasons to immediately consult a doctor.
Conservative therapy
Patients with fractures are given blockades, the hip is fixed using skeletal traction, which is replaced with a plaster cast after clinical and radiological signs of fusion appear. Treatment tactics for other lesions are determined based on the nature of the disease. Conservative treatment of most hip pathologies includes:
- Protective mode.
The mode of physical activity is chosen taking into account the type and severity of the disease. Fixation with a plaster splint, the use of splints, crutches or a cane are possible. - Therapeutic exercise.
To maintain muscle strength and joint mobility, prevent complications and improve general condition, individually selected exercise therapy complexes are prescribed. - Physiotherapeutic procedures.
UHF, electrophoresis, laser therapy and other techniques are used to reduce pain, accelerate resorption, improve blood circulation and tissue nutrition, and stimulate healing.
The listed activities are supplemented with massage, sometimes with manual therapy and taping. For purulent diseases, antibiotics are prescribed, for inflammatory pathologies - NSAIDs, for neurological lesions, blockades are performed.
Thigh taping
Treatment of pain in the hip joints
Therapy is prescribed by a doctor after a pre-established diagnosis. For the drug treatment of hip joint diseases, the following scheme is used:
- Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs. Their main goal is to relieve an acute inflammatory process, reduce the severity of pain, and eliminate swelling. Such medications include Indomethacin, Ibuprofen, Dicrofenac.
- Muscle relaxants. Designed to eliminate muscle spasms and relieve pinched sciatic nerves. Such drugs include Movalis, Tolperil, Meloxicam.
- Glucocorticosteroids. Designed to relieve inflammation and relieve pain. This is Prednisolone, Dexamethasone.
- Chondroprotectors. The task of these drugs is to restore damaged cartilage structures. These are Artra, Chondroxil, Chondroitin Glucosamine, Theraflex.
- Vitamin complexes – Milgamma, Neurobeks.
If conservative treatment is ineffective, surgery may be used. At an advanced stage of diseases of the articular apparatus of the hip area, joint replacement is performed, which consists of completely replacing the damaged part of the hip. After such treatment, rehabilitation is carried out. Its result is relief from pain and unpleasant symptoms that arise during the development of degenerative diseases.
With proper and timely treatment, diseases of the hip joint that are accompanied by severe pain can be cured.
Causes of hip pain
When pain occurs in the thigh muscle, the reasons can be different. Osteochondrosis complicated by intervertebral hernias causes severe pain, numbness, and burning of the thigh muscles. These problems usually arise in young and middle age.
Diseases of the hip joint are manifested by pain in the thigh. It occurs when there is movement or stress on the joint. Patients experience limited mobility. When trying to spread the legs, the joints become blocked and further movement is impossible. The disease often develops after 65 years of age. Treatment at the Yusupov Hospital can stop the degeneration of cartilage tissue and reduce pain in the thigh muscles.
With different leg lengths, the load on the lower limbs is not the same, which causes pain in the hip. The patient begins to limp, the body is distorted, the shoulders are set at different heights, torticollis develops, and severe pain occurs in the calf muscle. Often, false shortening of the leg causes a pelvic distortion.
Muscle pain in the thigh occurs with piriformis syndrome. It is localized between the sacrum and buttock. The patient has difficulty sitting. The pain intensifies with movement, over time the leg becomes numb and its volume decreases. The gait changes. The problem arises against the background of pathology of the spine or pelvis.
Iliopsoas syndrome is one of the causes of hip pain. It begins in the depths of the abdomen, less often in the depths of the lower back, and spreads along the front surface of the thigh. In women it may appear during sexual intercourse. The lumbar lordosis straightens, and lower back pain occurs periodically. If treatment is not carried out, the muscle keeps the hip joint under constant tension, its destruction occurs, the amount of cartilage decreases, and deforming arthrosis develops.
The causes of pain in the muscles of the thigh and leg are the following diseases:
- obturator canal syndrome – acute pain radiates to the inner thigh and groin area;
- Bernhardt-Roth disease, or meralgia paresthetica - pain in the thigh muscle of the front leg, which intensifies when trying to press the bent leg to the stomach;
- radiculopathy or radiculitis of the nerve roots of the lumbar spine - severe pain in the thigh muscles occurs due to damage to the nerves of the lumbar spine;
- sciatica, lumboischialgia, sciatica – pain begins in the lower back and intensifies in the hip area.
Muscle pain in the thigh can be a symptom of a pathology of the central nervous system, osteomyelitis, bruise, sprain or rupture of the femoral muscle. Hip pain when climbing stairs occurs due to iliopsoas tendinitis.
