Many forms of thigh pain tend to either be in the front or back of the thigh, but some thigh pain is less specific and localized, especially when it is caused by cholesterol medications or circulation disorders. Front thigh pain can usually be attributed to the quadriceps or rectus femoris muscles due to exercise or trauma. Hernia and groin strains are also causes of thigh pain. The adductor muscles can be strained or ruptured, causing pain in the groin at the top of the adductor muscles that can radiate down the leg. Ten percent of hernias are femoral hernias and will look like a swelling in the upper thighs with pain when exercising and possibly pain or pressure felt when coughing and sneezing. Femoral hernias occur just below inguinal hernias, at a weak point called the femoral canal and they are more common in women.

Pain in the back of the thigh can be caused by hamstring tears or strains, or this pain may be referred pain from the back. There are three hamstring muscles: semitendinosus, semimembranosus and biceps femoris. Injuries to the muscle hamstring group may produce acute pain at the back of the leg during high intensity exercise; pain on stretching or contracting the muscle against resistance; and swelling and bruising. Hamstring muscle strains are graded 1, 2 or 3 depending on severity. Grade 1 consists of minor tears within the muscle. A grade 2 is a partial tear with grade 3 being a complete hamstring rupture.

Many people with peripheral arterial disease (PAD) do not have symptoms, but symptoms may include a tight, aching, or squeezing pain in the calf, thigh, or buttock. Knee surgery patients commonly experience thigh pain due to the atrophy that occurs in the thighs, and those going through electroshock physical therapy will experience some pain in the quadriceps as the muscle fibers rebuild.

Sports massage techniques are important in the rehabilitation of the hamstring and quadriceps injuries. Sports massages help patients heal faster by improving fiber realignment and minimizing scar tissue growth. Sports massages can also increase the blood flow and it may help patients with circulation problems. Many sports injuries can be prevented by following a proper warm up routine to stretch the muscles and tendons and increase blood flow prior to high intensity exercises like running.

Muscle pain can also be caused by increasing blood levels of the statin, which is in cholesterol lowering medications such as Lipitor, Zocor, Pravachol and Crestor. Muscle pain (myalgia) is a nonspecific muscle ache where there are no abnormalities of the muscle enzymes. Pain associated with severe muscle damage is known as rhabdomyolysis, and it is usually associated with high levels of muscles enzymes and kidney dysfunction. If you have recently started a cholesterol medication and you are experiencing leg pain, it is important to contact your physician for blood tests to ensure the medication is not causing complications or severe side effects.