Back thigh pain
introduction
Pain in the back of the thigh can have numerous causes and differ in their severity and pain quality.
Temporary overstrain or injuries are common causes, but there are often complaints that have arisen due to muscular imbalances or wear and tear.
Some pains are harmless and short-lived, but some are also symptoms of diseases that require treatment and that must be taken seriously. In addition to the duration and intensity of the pain, the quality of the pain is indicative of the respective diagnosis. It describes the character of the pain, for example whether it is rather stinging or blunt, locally limited or radiating. The course of the accident is often important for establishing a diagnosis, especially in the case of injuries.
The following are some common causes of hamstring pain.
Figure posterior thigh pain
Back thigh pain
- Fourth lumbar vertebrae -
Vertebra lumbalis IV - Iliac scoop -
Ala ossis ilii - Sacrum - Sacrum
- Gluteus Muscle -
Gluteus maximus muscle - Sciatic nerve -
Sciatic nerve - Femur -
Femur - Two-headed. Thigh muscle -
Biceps femoris muscle - Half-tendon muscle -
Semitendinosus muscle - Semi-membranous muscle -
Semimembranosus muscle - External calf muscle -
Muscle gastrocnemius,
Caput laterale
Common causes of pain
on the back of the thigh:
A. - disc prolapse
B - SI joint blockage, sciatica pain
C - hip pain
D - broken bone
E - strain / torn muscle fiber /
Bruising / sore muscles
F - knee pain
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The following causes of pain in the back of the thigh are possible
Sports injuries
Many athletes experience pain in the back of the thigh, most of which is caused by the muscles. The hamstring is located on the back of the thigh and consists of three muscles, the M. Semitendinosus, the M. Semimembranosus and the M. Biceps femoris.
All muscles are responsible for flexing the knee joint and stretching the hip.
In sport, the hamstring is particularly stressed when sprinting and jogging, which is why injuries and overload symptoms often occur here.
If a sports injury has occurred, it is usually important to stop exercising. It is also important to cool the affected area immediately. Furthermore, the thigh should be bandaged under slight pressure and raised so that no swelling occurs.
These measures are summarized in the so-called PECH rule, which can be applied to many minor sports injuries, here PECH is an acronym which stands for the following:
- P- pause
- Put on e-ice
- C compression
- H- Elevate
Pain due to overuse
Beginners in particular often have to struggle with pain in the back of their thighs because the muscles are poorly trained. Overexertion not only damages the muscles, it can also overstrain the tendons, which can lead to irritation of the tendons and ultimately to tendinitis on the thigh.
It is often helpful to do specific strengthening exercises for the back of the thighs and to stretch the muscles.
It is important, however, that this thigh pain be separated from an injury that requires interruption of exercise.
Also read the article on the topic: Tendonitis on the thigh
Thigh strain
The pulled back thigh is one of the most common sports injuries. It often occurs, for example, with sprinters or soccer players.
A strain often occurs when you make sudden, fast and powerful movements while exercising without properly warming yourself up or when you overstrain your own muscles during sports and the tired muscles lack the strength to withstand the stresses without damage.
The pain caused by a strain increases during the sporting activity, a burning sensation develops in the muscle, which is especially noticeable with tension and pressure. When you are at rest you usually have little or no pain.
If a strain occurs in the back of the thigh, exercise should be discontinued and the PECH rule should be followed. In the event of a strain, the sporting activity should be paused until the muscles no longer hurt, this can take a few days. During this time, however, it is advisable not to keep the affected thigh completely still, but to make light movements. This promotes the healing of the strain.
You can find much more information on our website: Thigh strain
Torn hamstring
A muscle fiber tear arises from the fact that the individual muscle fibers can no longer withstand the tension that is exerted on the muscle and consequently tear.
This is accompanied by swelling and bruising in the affected muscle.
A torn muscle fiber in the back of the thigh occurs primarily in sports that require strong braking or acceleration and which put a lot of strain on the hamstring in the back of the thigh. Here too, sprinting and playing football are examples.
If a muscle fiber tears, a sudden sharp pain occurs in the affected muscles. The pain is so strong that the athlete is forced into a relieving position and can no longer use the muscle.
The sporting activity must be stopped immediately to prevent further damage. As a rule, however, the athlete is not able to continue the exercise anyway. An initial self-treatment based on the PECH rule should begin as soon as possible. A torn muscle takes longer to heal than a pulled muscle and can take a few weeks.
If the muscles on the back of the thigh have torn fibers, they heal with scarring.
Scarred muscles are potentially more at risk of rupturing muscle fibers again. To avoid this, the hamstring should be carefully and carefully strengthened after the crack has healed and well warmed up before exercise.
It is very important not to re-exercise too soon after the injury, as a muscle fiber that has not yet healed can easily rupture again.
You can find a lot more information under our topics: Torn muscle fiber in the thigh
Muscle contusion
Muscle bruises are caused by strong blows to the muscles. Particularly in contact sports, but also in other activities, it can happen that the muscles of the rear thigh are bruised by a blow.
The great force applied causes a bruise to develop between the muscle fibers.
Swelling and muscle stiffness may also occur. Like a torn muscle fiber, a bruise is also very painful and is associated with a significant restriction in movement of the affected leg.
The PECH rule also provides a good guide to initial aid for bruises. It is important that the harmless muscle contusion is separated from a broken bone, as the symptoms are often similar.
An X-ray can provide information about the bone structure. A bruise is a protracted injury that often causes thigh pain even after weeks. It is important for the healing process that the affected muscle is not stressed again too soon.
Read more on the subject below Thigh contusion.
aching
If you put more strain on your muscles than you usually do, muscle soreness can result. Muscle soreness occurs more often after performing jerky movements.
The back of the thigh is often affected by sore muscles, and the muscles are often poorly trained from sedentary activities.
The pain usually arises one day after the exercise. The cause of this are cracks in the Z-disks, these are separations that separate individual contractile units on a cellular level. These cracks cause swelling and inflammation, which is perceived as pain.
If the muscles are sore, it helps to warm the affected muscles and to massage them lightly, this stimulates the blood circulation and the healing process is faster. In general, muscle soreness occurs less often if there is a good warm-up phase before exercise and the muscle groups are strengthened.
This article might also interest you: Sore muscles - what works best?
Baker's cyst
A Baker's cyst describes a bulging of the knee joint capsule located in the posterior knee joint. A cyst is a cavity filled with fluid.The Baker's cyst is usually noticeable through a swelling in the hollow of the knee and can cause a feeling of pressure or pain when walking or kneeling, some of which can radiate into the lower leg.
Baker's cysts are usually caused by pathological changes in the knee joint, which can be caused, for example, by (sports) accidents or diseases such as osteoarthritis or meniscus lesions. If a Baker's cyst has developed due to excessive exercise, it is important to take care of the body. For example, running or jumping sports should be avoided for a while.
Read more on the subject at: Symptoms of a Baker's cyst
Tendonitis on the ischium
Tendonitis on the ischium often occurs after unusual or excessive physical exertion. In particular, tendinitis often occurs when the hamstrings are overloaded (M. biceps femoris). This muscle lies on the back of the thigh and is responsible for the fact that the leg in the hip can be stretched backwards and rotated outwards and bent at the knee.
This means that in all sports or exercises in which these movements - especially the external rotation and the extension of the leg backwards in the hip - are carried out, tendonitis on the ischium can be caused and pain in the rear thigh and buttocks can be the cause .
This article might also interest you: Ischial pain
Stress-independent pain
Pain in the back of the thigh that was not due to overuse or injury may also manifest itself.
Most people have weakened muscles in the back of the thighs and lumbar spine due to a predominantly sedentary work.
This leads to a deterioration in the statics and, as a result, an increased arching of the back and instability, which can be associated with back problems.
These in turn can cause referred pain to the back of the thigh.
Herniated disc of the lumbar spine
If there is a herniated disc of the lumbar spine, pain in the back of the thigh is common. This is due to the fact that herniated discs usually occur in the lowest area of the lumbar spine, namely at the level of segment L4 / 5 or L5 / S1.
The pain radiates throughout the back of the thigh and often runs down the calf to the foot.
In addition to sensory disorders, the muscles can also weaken.
If there is an accompanying uncontrolled loss of urine or stool or symptoms of paralysis, a doctor should be consulted quickly, since in this case the bulging intervertebral disc can permanently damage the nerves if the treatment is not started quickly.
In general, herniated discs of the lumbar spine should definitely be diagnosed and treated by a doctor. There are numerous options here, ranging from conservative therapy, which includes pain relievers and physiotherapy, to various surgical therapy options.
Read a lot more information on this topic at:
- Herniated disc of the lumbar spine
or more special- Herniated disc L4 / 5
Herniated disc L5 / S1
- Herniated disc L4 / 5
ISG blockage
If the sacroiliac joint, which connects the iliac and sacrum in the pelvis, is blocked, pain in the buttocks occurs.
Often the gluteal muscles tense in the course of this and press on the sciatic nerve.
This causes the pain to radiate to the back of the thigh.
ISG blockages are more common in women. If there are frequent ISG blockages, the gluteal muscles and the muscles of the back of the thighs should be strengthened.
Find out more about the topic: ISG blockages
Sciatica pain
In addition to a herniated disc of the lumbar spine, entrapment in the area of the nerve exit point on the spine can also lead to severe pain.
If the rear thigh is also affected, the sciatic nerve is usually pinched. This can be caused by a herniated disc of the lumbar spine, but also by inflammation of the nerve root.
Muscle tension in the lumbar spine or gluteal muscles can also cause pain in the back of the thigh.
This article might also interest you: Pinched sciatic nerve
Pain after cruciate ligament surgery
In a cruciate ligament operation, in which the cruciate ligament is replaced by the body's own tendon (autologous cruciate ligament surgery), pain in the back of the thigh can occur after the operation. The tendon that is used to reconstruct the cruciate ligament is usually the tendon of the semitendinosus muscle, which runs from the inside of the knee up into the back of the thigh. Therefore, so-called wound pain can occur after the operation. Sufficient rest for about a week and then structured exercise therapy, whereby the load is gradually increased, should be observed.
Concomitant symptoms
Dent in the muscle
If there is a palpable dent on the back of the thigh and in addition to pain, a feeling of tension and a pain-related inability to stretch the thigh backwards at the hip or bend the leg in the knee, a muscle fiber tear can be behind it. Sometimes a large hematoma can be seen on the back of the thigh. When a muscle fiber ruptures, individual or numerous muscle fibers tear, usually after a heavy load. The fibers often tear when the tendons or muscle fibers have already been stressed and inflamed.
For more information, see: Torn hamstring of the thigh
Bruise / hematoma
A bruise (hematoma) can occur from any injury to the thigh. A bump or fall can bruise and cause pain in your back thigh. A torn muscle fiber can also be associated with a bruise. This often results in a palpable dent in the muscles.
A bruise is tender on pressure and changes color from red to dark red-purple-blue-black to dark green and ultimately to yellow-brown. In most cases, the hematoma will go away after a week or two.
Read more on the subject at: Bruise on the thigh
Numbness / tingling sensation
If, in addition to the pain in the back of the thigh, there is a feeling of numbness or a tingling sensation, the problem usually comes from the spine and lower back muscles. A lumbago (lumbago) in the lumbar spine, whereby the muscles that were usually already tense or untrained suddenly contract and cramp, can irritate the nerves that supply the muscles in the rear thigh.
You may experience tingling, numbness and pain that extends from the lower back to the thigh. In addition, a herniated disc in the lower back can irritate the nerves and also trigger pain, tingling and numbness. Both lumbago and a herniated disc often occur after stress on the lower back, such as when or after carrying heavy loads.
Further information on the subject can be found at: Numbness of the thigh and lumbago
Pain in the back of the thigh and buttocks
Often, pain in the buttocks and back thighs is based on a spinal problem. The resulting posture errors ensure that, for example, one leg is put under more weight than the other and is therefore exposed to excessive weight on one half of the body. This overstressing one leg can lead to unilateral pain in the buttocks and thighs. Herniated discs and lumbago can also cause pain from the back that radiates through the buttocks into the thighs. A doctor should be consulted, especially if numbness or tingling sensations occur, so that a more serious spinal disease can be excluded. Muscle strain or tension in the buttocks can also cause pain, which radiates into the thigh and is usually felt when moving.
Treatment / therapy
Therapy depends on the cause that triggers the pain. A ruptured muscle fiber should be cooled immediately. In the further course, the muscles in the thigh should be spared for one to two days and a cooling ointment bandage should be applied. The load should then be slowly increased again.
A Baker's cyst that does not cause any symptoms usually does not need treatment. However, if there are discomforts, restricted mobility or pain, the knee injury, such as osteoarthritis, must be treated. Surgical removal of the cyst should only be done in exceptional cases, as it will often return despite removal if the trigger is not treated.
Lumbago or a slipped disc are usually treated with pain medication. It is important that the person concerned does not stay in bed, but moves (for example, going for a walk) without putting weights on the back. Strengthening the back muscles is essential in the process.
Prognosis / healing time
The prognosis and the healing time also depend on the underlying cause. After a muscle fiber tear, you should not do sports for up to six weeks. In addition, if the load is applied too early, a new crack can occur. The spontaneous regression of a Baker's cyst is generally not to be expected without treatment of the cause.
It is therefore important that the disease causing the cyst is treated. The Baker's cyst usually reappears when knee problems recur. The symptoms of lumbago or a herniated disc can also drag on for several weeks. After a lumbago or a herniated disc, you should definitely start strengthening the back muscles to prevent new problems.
Can that also be a thrombosis?
A thrombosis is an occlusion of blood vessels caused by a blood clot in a vein. The thrombosis typically causes dull pain, swelling, and bluish-purple discoloration (cyanosis) in the affected area. In addition, it can lead to a feeling of tension and increased vein markings on the skin. Thrombosis can cause pain in the back of the thigh if a vessel that runs along the back of the thigh becomes blocked.
Thrombosis and inflammation of the superficial skin veins, also called thrombophlebitis, can cause pain in the back of the thigh. This leads to a short, string-like reddening and painful thickening in the area of the thrombosis. In both cases, a doctor should be consulted. In the case of deep vein thrombosis, therapeutic blood thinning (anticoagulation) must always take place. In the case of thrombosis of the superficial veins, cooling and pain therapy should be carried out, and blood thinning may also be necessary here.
Read more on the topic: Thrombosis pain
