Hello.
Thank you for your query at DoctorSpring.com.
I understand your concern.
The pain you are experiencing is nothing serious and is likely to be a result of muscle fatigue. Since you tend to move this leg more, repeated muscle contraction leads to the accumulation of lactic acid in the muscle which causes pain. This is the same mechanism which results in muscle soreness after intensive exercise. Mild but persistent muscle activity causes dull pain, and this is what you are experiencing.
Pain anywhere and specifically in the lower limbs is of concern when it is severe, progressive, spreading, associated with weakness/ numbness/ tingling or hindering your routine activity. Since you do not have any of these, please do not worry.
You can try to rest that limb when you experience pain and it should subside. In case it becomes unbearable, you can take an OTC like Tylenol or Advil, for pain-relief.
Further, regular exercise like walking, jogging etc. will improve your muscle strength and reserve, preventing such aches.
I hope this was helpful. Feel free to ask queries.
Regards.
Patient replied :
Thank you. It doesn't seem to happen when I'm moving this leg, it seems to happen when it is at rest. I am a bit of a hypochondriac, so I worry about it being something like deep vein thrombosis or something. I think I favor that leg, but I do not know that I necessarily move it more than the other leg, really. I just don't know if it is something I need to go to the doctor for and worry about, as it has been happening in just that one spot - in the top of my thigh, facing outward - for weeks now.
Hello.
Thank you for your response.
Pain due to muscle fatigue or strain can occur at rest as well. When I suggested rest, I meant avoiding leg movement while you are seated.
This cannot be anything serious like Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT). DVT usually presents with calf pain, not thigh. Please relax as this is nothing serious and you do not need to see a doctor for this.
Since the pain is localised to the upper and outer thigh, this seems to be strain of the lateral thigh muscles.
You can use hot compression on the affected area, about 2-3 times daily for a week.
Also, take OTC like Advil (Ibuprofen 400 mg) or Tylenol (Acetaminophen 650 mg) once.
Pain will completely subside after intake for the duration of the tablet's action.
This will confirm that it is muscle pain (myalgia) and nothing else. This is to reassure you that it is nothing serious, as pain due to serious conditions like DVT will not respond like myalgia does.
In case the pain persists for more than a week, you can see a doctor.
I hope this was helpful. Feel free to discuss further.
Regards.
Patient replied :
Thank you. I tend to be very anxious with health issues. This pain has actually persisted for at least a few weeks, if not more. It is generally very short in duration. It doesn't last more than several seconds at a time, and maybe off and on for a short time and then I won't feel it. I already take aspirin pretty regularly - would that not help? Should I try something else - like tylenol - when I feel the pain? If I press on the area, it does not hurt - but I guess it wouldn't. Normally if it only lasted a few days or even a week I'd likely ignore it, but it lasting a bit longer is what is worrying me, even though as I said it doesn't hinder me nor has it gotten any worse or moved or anything. I just wanted to be sure it wasn't anything serious that I needed to pay attention to as I know there are veins and arteries etc. there.
Hello.
I do understand your anxiety.
Myalgia/muscle strain due to overuse can last for weeks if the aggravating activity is not stopped.
Let me reassure you again, the character of pain you have suggests nothing serious.
Like I have mentioned earlier, you have none of the symptoms suggestive of anything serious involving veins, arteries etc.
Aspirin if being taken quite regularly, may not be as effective as earlier.
So please relax and yes, take either Tylenol or Advil and you should be pain free during its duration of action.
Also, please carry out the other measures like hot compression as advised earlier.
If all that does not give you satisfaction, please do see a doctor.
Regards.