Currently, pain in the right leg (thigh) is one of the most common reasons for contacting traumatologists and orthopedists. Most often, patients complain of severe discomfort in the hip joint. In this case, pain in the right thigh and leg is often localized. Sometimes it can radiate to other parts of the body.
Doctors note that such a condition is not dangerous if the symptoms persist for no more than 3 days and disappear on their own without any treatment. Pain in the right leg (in the thigh) is an alarming sign if it bothers constantly and significantly worsens a person’s quality of life. The cause of its occurrence can be a large number of diseases and conditions - from mild trauma to oncology. It is worth noting that the latest pathology accounts for no more than 2% of cases. The main causes of pain in the thigh of the right leg are described below.
Arthrosis
This term refers to a pathological process, the course of which is accompanied by the destruction of bone and cartilage. In the presence of aching pain in the right leg (from the thigh to the knee), it is customary to talk about arthrosis of the hip joint.
According to statistics, pathology is most often diagnosed in women, whose age is 40 or more years. Often the basis of the mechanism of its development is the natural aging of the body.
The hip joint is the largest joint. Outside, it is protected by ligaments, muscles and an articular bag. The articulation itself is formed by the acetabulum and femoral head. The articular surfaces are covered with cartilage. In addition, they are lined with a synovial membrane, the task of which is to develop a special lubricant that provides smooth movements.
Under the influence of various adverse factors, metabolic processes in the joint are disturbed. In addition, his blood supply is deteriorating. As a result, the cartilage tissue loses fluid, due to which it becomes brittle and less elastic. The next step is the appearance of cracks on it. As the disease progresses, the cartilage tissue wears out, and its particles enter the intraarticular cavity, which contributes to the development of the inflammatory process. Bone structures are subsequently involved in it.
Thus, the main cause of pain in the thigh of the right leg in this case is the inflammatory process caused by the destruction of cartilage. Arthrosis is a consequence of:
- injuries
- high-intensity physical activity;
- scoliosis
- kyphosis;
- flat feet;
- hip dysplasia;
- pathologies of an infectious nature;
- gout
- diabetes mellitus;
- obesity
- rheumatoid arthritis;
- chondromatosis.
Leg pain in the hips is not the only symptom of the disease. Other clinical manifestations of arthrosis:
- Lameness.
- Gait change. A person begins to swing in different directions.
- Restriction of motor activity.
- A decrease in the volume of the muscles of the thigh and buttocks on the affected side.
At the initial stage of the development of the disease, the symptoms are mild or completely absent. At the last stage, a person cannot walk independently, he needs support in the form of a cane.
Treatment of pain in the leg from the hip to the knee may involve the use of both conservative and surgical methods. At the initial stages of the development of arthrosis, NSAIDs (Diclofenac, Nise, Movalis, Piroxicam), glucocorticosteroids (Diprospan, Kenalog), chondroprotectors (Teraflex, Don), muscle relaxants ( "Midokalm"). In addition, intra-articular administration of drugs is prescribed, the active component of which is hyaluronic acid. In severe cases, surgery is indicated.
Piriformis inflammation
This pathology often causes burning pain in the thigh of the right leg. The piriformis muscle is tissue, one of the tasks of which is to ensure a stable position in the acetabulum of the femoral head. It starts from the sacrum and passes through the sciatic opening. It does not completely overlap the latter. This is due to the fact that both nerve fibers and blood vessels pass through the sciatic canal.
Under the influence of various adverse factors, the piriformis becomes inflamed. Against the background of the course of pathology, it increases in size and blocks the sciatic opening, contributing to pinching of nerves and blood vessels.
The main causes of the development of the inflammatory process:
- osteochondrosis of the lumbosacral region;
- obesity;
- lifestyle not implying motor activity;
- protrusion and hernia of the intervertebral disc;
- arthrosis;
- flat feet;
- high-intensity physical activity;
- tailbone injury;
- hypothermia.
Symptoms of the inflammatory process:
- Stiffness in the movements. Man cannot take his limb aside.
- Pain in the right thigh, extending to the buttock.
- Numbness. Most often it is localized in the region of the posterior thigh.
- Muscle weakness. There are frequent episodes of spontaneous jerking of tissues.
- Cramps. As a rule, muscle crumps and pain in the thigh of the right leg are amplified at night.
- The feeling of constant creeping creeps on the skin of the affected limb.
- Hyperesthesia.
- Lameness when walking.
Over time, symptoms of trophic lesions appear. They are due to the fact that a person tries to maintain rest of the limb. The skin is thinning, there is varicose veins, muscle tissue gradually dries out and loses its working capacity.
Ignoring inflammation leads to the development of dangerous complications, including the death of the sciatic nerve, which threatens disability.
Treatment of the disease requires an integrated approach. The classical treatment regimen for piriformis inflammation includes the following points:
- Reception of NSAIDs. Against the background of treatment, pain in the right leg (and in the right thigh, in particular) disappears.
- Exercise therapy.
- Massage.
- Physio, reflex and kinesiotherapy.
In severe cases, the doctor assesses the feasibility of surgical intervention, during which the surgeon will be able to restore patency of the sciatic canal.
Rheumatism
This term is collective. It includes more than a hundred diseases, the course of which is characterized by an inflammatory process in bone structures and soft tissues. According to statistics, rheumatism of the hip joint is one of the most common pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. The disease affects not only the elderly, but also young people.
Currently, the etiology of the disease is not fully understood. Doctors believe that the basis of the mechanism of its development are autoimmune processes. In other words, the defense system considers the cells of its own organism to be foreign and tries to destroy them. A logical consequence is the development of the inflammatory process, the destruction of ligaments, cartilage and tendons of the joint.
For the initial stage of development of rheumatism, specific symptoms are not characteristic. A person loses his appetite, constantly feels tired. Sometimes body temperature rises to subfebrile values.
Over time, the following symptoms occur:
- Pain in the thigh extending to the leg.
- Limited mobility.
- Swelling and redness of the area over the affected joint. The skin in this place is hot.
As rheumatism progresses, other joints are involved in the pathological process.
Currently, there is no treatment method that allows you to completely get rid of the disease. The main objective of therapy is the relief of inflammation and pain. Symptomatic treatment involves taking NSAIDs, as well as passing a course of physiotherapy. If the joint is almost completely destroyed, surgery is indicated, during which the affected structures are replaced with a prosthesis.
Intervertebral hernia
Most often, pulling pains in the thigh of the right leg appear if the protrusion is localized in the lumbar region. In this case, discomfort is a consequence of pinching of the fibers, providing innervation of the lower limb.
The exact location of the hernia can be determined already at the stage of the survey. In this case, the doctor analyzes the patient's complaints:
- If the thigh not only hurts, but also periodically goes numb, this indicates that the protrusion has pressed one or more sensitive fibers.
- If during walking there is a sensation similar to a shock, the doctor may suspect pinching of the roots of the spinal cord.
Other clinical manifestations of pathology:
- Cramps. Most often they arise after long walks.
- The patient cannot rest on the leg located on the affected side.
- Significant weakening of muscle tone.
- Violation of sensitivity.
In advanced cases, the limb completely ceases to function. At the same time, the work of internal organs may be disrupted, resulting in disability.
The treatment regimen consists of the following items:
- Symptomatic Therapy Most often, doctors prescribe Ketonal, Dicloberl and Torsid to patients. The first helps to eliminate pain in the right leg (in the thigh, in particular) and the resorption of edema. Dicloberl is a powerful anti-inflammatory drug. "Torsid" is an excellent diuretic that helps to remove excess fluid from the body. Due to this, edema disappears.
- Manual therapy.
With the ineffectiveness of conservative methods, surgical intervention is indicated. Most often, it is performed using minimally invasive techniques, such as microdisectomy and laser excision of the protrusion. If the hernia is large, it is advisable to carry out the operation in the traditional (open) way.
Osteochondrosis
This disease, the course of which is accompanied by the destruction of affected joints. Bone structures are distinguished by a very complex structure, the degree of motor activity of a person directly depends on their condition.
Under the influence of various adverse factors, anaerobic or aerobic oxidation reactions are triggered in the tissues. The next step is the occurrence of destructive changes in the cartilage tissue. It is dried up, becomes inelastic, cracking. In addition, bones begin to break down. Against the background of these processes, protective mechanisms are activated. The body directs all efforts to the formation of new bone tissue. As a result, osteophytes form in the least loaded areas.
Bone growths reduce the load on the joint, but at the same time they have an irritating effect on the synovial membrane. Stagnation occurs, muscle tissue atrophies, stiffness in movements appears.
Causes of osteochondrosis:
- genetic predisposition;
- obesity;
- hormonal imbalance;
- wearing shoes that are not suitable in size and other parameters;
- unbalanced nutrition;
- active vital activity of viruses and other pathogenic microorganisms, they move freely and often settle in joints, especially in synovial fluid;
- various kinds of injuries;
- improper organization of work and rest;
- frequent use of alcohol-containing drinks;
- infectious pathologies of the genitourinary system;
- high-intensity physical activity.
Clinical manifestations and their severity directly depend on the severity of the disease. The main symptoms of osteochondrosis:
- Pain in the thigh of the right leg when walking (if the joint is affected on this side).
- Lameness.
- Gait change.
- Stiffness in the movements. Over time, the patient cannot walk on his own, he needs crutches or a cane.
- Limb shortening.
- Crunch in the joint while walking.
Osteochondrosis is one of the common causes of a person’s disability. In this regard, the doctor must be consulted at the early stages of its development, when pain in the right leg (in the thigh) is still very weak.
The treatment regimen for the disease consists of the following items:
- Taking, injecting or topical medication. Doctors prescribe NSAIDs (Nurofen, Nimesulide, Indomethacin), muscle relaxants (Sirdalud), vitamins (Milgamma), and chondroprotectors (Chondroitin).
- Physiotherapy.
- Massage.
- Exercise therapy.
- Use of orthopedic products, such as a femoral dressing.
- Diet adjustment.
With the ineffectiveness of conservative methods of treatment, surgical intervention is indicated. During the operation, the hip joint is replaced with a prosthesis. The latter consists of titanium, so it has a long service life (about 15 years).
Femoral artery stenosis and occlusion
This vessel is one of the largest in the human body. Under the influence of various adverse factors, narrowing of the lumen of the artery occurs. With its complete overlap, it is customary to talk about occlusion. As a result, tissues cease to receive the necessary amount of oxygen and vital components. A logical consequence is pronounced pain in the right thigh, radiating to the lower limb.
The main causes of the development of pathology:
- unbalanced nutrition;
- atherosclerosis;
- smoking;
- frequent use of alcohol-containing drinks;
- high-intensity physical activity or, conversely, a lifestyle that does not imply motor activity;
- psycho-emotional instability;
- aortitis of non-specific etiology;
- obliterating endearteritis;
- Takayasu disease;
- Ischemic heart disease;
- myocardial infarction;
- arrhythmia;
- hypertension;
- the presence of malignant neoplasms on the heart or lungs;
- mechanical tissue damage;
- natural age-related changes;
- frostbite of the limbs;
- blood pathology.
Symptoms of stenosis and femoral artery occlusion are similar. Clinical manifestations of ailments:
- rapid onset of fatigue in the lower extremities;
- burning sensation and tingling in the legs;
- decreased sensitivity;
- intermittent claudication.
In severe cases (as a rule, with complete overlap of the lumen of the vessel), severe pain in the thigh of the right leg in front occurs. Most often, it is this limb that is affected, since it is a supporting one. In addition, muscle weakness and marked stiffness in movements are noted. This can lead to gangrene or paralysis in the future.
The treatment of stenosis / occlusion of the femoral artery is always carried out in an inpatient setting. Drug therapy is aimed at stopping pain and normalizing blood circulation. For this purpose, doctors most often prescribe the following drugs: Midokalm, No-Shpa, Papaverin, Bupatol, Vaskulat. Anticoagulants are indicated only if the narrowing of the lumen of the vessel occurred due to the formation of a blood clot.
In severe cases, surgery is performed.
The outcome of the disease directly depends on the timeliness of going to the doctor. In 90% of cases, patients fully recover. Ignoring the warning signs can be fatal.
Pinched sciatic nerve
In this case, pain is localized in the back of the thigh. They are acute in nature, as a result of which a person cannot step on the affected limb.
Currently, pinch of the sciatic nerve is most often diagnosed in young people. The main causes of the pathological process:
- displacement of the intervertebral disc;
- damage to the muscles or organs of the pelvis;
- pathology of an infectious nature;
- the presence of benign or malignant neoplasms;
- hypothermia;
- the presence of protrusions;
- osteochondrosis;
- high-intensity physical activity;
- spasm of adjacent muscles.
The main symptom of pathology is pain in the back of the thigh. Because of it, a person cannot sit down and raise a straightened leg. In addition, the intensity of pain increases during flexion of the foot.
Other clinical manifestations:
Treatment of the disease involves taking painkillers and NSAIDs.
Hip Tuberculosis
This term refers to a specific infection caused by the active life of the Koch bacillus. Pathology can be detected at absolutely any age. It is worth noting that it is very rarely diagnosed.
In case of damage to the thigh of the right leg, the pain in the front part is at first not pronounced, but its intensity intensifies over time.
Other symptoms of tuberculosis of the hip joint:
- weakness;
- muscle discomfort;
- increase in body temperature to subfebrile values;
- lameness;
- weight loss.
As the disease progresses, the symptoms become brighter.
Treatment is carried out in specialized dispensaries. All patients are shown antibiotic therapy. Additionally, massage, exercise therapy and other recovery measures can be prescribed. In severe cases, the affected structures are excised.
Injuries
Damage to the musculoskeletal system and bones can also be a cause of pain. If injured, it is recommended that you contact a medical institution. It is important to understand that this area heals for a long time, and the bones in the fracture grow together hard.
Finally
Pain in the thigh of the right leg is not uncommon. If they disappeared on their own in 2-3 days, you should not panic. However, while maintaining pain, it is recommended to consult a doctor. The specialist will conduct diagnostic measures and, based on their results, draw up a treatment regimen.