Muscle hardening in the thigh – causes, treatment and prevention

Muscle tightening in the thigh

Muscle tightness is a painful change in muscle tissue. These can affect different areas. Muscle hardening in the thighs is often caused by misalignment and excessive strain.

What is muscle tightness?

The muscles in the thighs are made up of muscle fibers. In certain situations, there can be tension that has the potential to lead to muscle tightening. These can often be felt externally as small knots or bumps . The hardening triggers pain, especially when pressure is applied to the affected area. Normally, freedom of movement is severely restricted due to the pain .

Various home remedies can help to solve the hardening. However, those affected must be prepared for the fact that the treatment will take several days to weeks. Sporting activities that strain the thigh muscles should only be done to a limited extent until then. In general, however, a muscle hardening in the thigh does not necessarily have to be presented to a doctor. It is only advisable to contact medical staff if the pain does not improve with heat and other measures.

causes

A muscle hardening in the thigh is often caused by incorrect loading. Wrong sequences of movements, excessively heavy training or a misalignment can lead to tension. In the context of a muscle hardening, the phase of tension is not followed by relaxation. Instead, the muscle remains in its tense position for an extended period of time.Incorrect movements in particular lead to the muscle becoming tense, but it is no longer possible for it to relax adequately. As soon as the muscle remains in this position, it can no longer be properly supplied with blood. The tension causes the blood vessels to be crushed. Inflammation develops from the circulatory disorders. Once inflammation is present, the muscles continue to harden.

Muscle hardening in the thighs can occur above all in people who do more sedentary and constantly running activities in everyday life. These activities put the muscle under constant tension. In particular, muscles that are not used to this exertion tend to tense so much that tight muscles develop. If the muscle cannot withstand the constant strain, different symptoms appear.

Diseases

  • incorrect loading
  • overload

When to the doctor?

The cause of a muscle hardening in the thigh is usually an overload of the leg. This happens after long periods of movement such as walking or running. Carrying heavy objects can also trigger hardening. There are numerous ways in which the affected person can achieve relief from their symptoms without a doctor.

A few days of rest and protection should be taken. Light massage or stretching exercises are helpful to loosen the hardening. Warm baths and a sufficient supply of heat to the thighs are beneficial and alleviate the problems. A sufficient intake of fluids and a balanced diet also support the healing process. If there is a regression of the muscle hardening, no doctor is needed.

If the muscle hardening in the thigh persists for several days or if it expands continuously, a doctor should be consulted. If other symptoms such as pain, circulatory disorders or sensory disturbances of the skin occur, it is advisable to consult a doctor. If the body is in an oblique position, the symptoms should also be clarified by a doctor. There is a risk of permanent damage developing.

If the muscle hardening in the thigh causes a restriction of movement, everyday activities are impaired. If professional tasks can no longer be fulfilled as a result, a doctor should be consulted.

Diagnose

The muscle hardening in the thigh can often be felt by palpating the painful region. If there is a suspicion of muscle hardening, without this being apparent from the outside, doctors can take further measures. So ultrasound images , an MRI or CT can reveal the hardening. In most cases, the diagnosis can be made by yourself. The hardening is sensitive to pressure and can be moved under the skin. If there is any doubt or if the pain is very severe, it is carried out by a general practitioner or orthopaedist. They also usually carry out a blood test to rule out any metabolic diseases.

If the suspicion of muscle hardening in the thigh has been proven, those affected have a few days to weeks before the tension resolves. This develops in a distorted manner over a longer period of time and does not disappear overnight. Various measures have a positive effect on the healing process. Most of the therapeutic approaches can be used by those affected themselves and thus alleviate the pain. Nevertheless, major sporting activities should be avoided while the symptoms persist. Instead, it is important to perform a conscious relaxation to influence the course.

complications

A tightening of the muscles in the thigh causes gait problems. The symptom-free leg is subjected to greater stress and the body is therefore crooked. Permanent damage and poor posture are possible, affecting the entire muscular system and the skeletal system. If the symptoms spread to the lower leg, it is almost impossible to move around without walking aids. Leisure activities or professional activities can no longer be carried out. A disability occurs. Muscle hardening often leads to discomfort in the thigh. These manifest themselves as tingling, trembling, numbness or hypersensitivity.

The tingling and trembling often triggers additional inner restlessness. This can manifest itself emotionally so strongly that permanent nervousness occurs. Numbness in the thigh increases the risk of accidents and injuries. Damage to the skin structure is noticed late and can lead to inflammation. In the case of hypersensitivity, temperature or touch stimuli are particularly unpleasant. They can also be experienced as painful. This leads to irritability and low mood.

In the case of circulatory disorders, further complications arise. They include deficits in attention, perception and consciousness. There is an interruption in the supply of the entire organism, which can lead to functional failures. Life-threatening conditions are possible, which are also characterized by an increased risk of a heart attack or stroke .

treatment and therapy

The therapy of a hardening of the thigh muscles can take different forms. If those affected complain about very severe pain and restricted movement, certain medications can be prescribed. These are mostly agents that have an anti-inflammatory effect. Magnesium supplements are also common . Both drugs help the muscle to release the tension.

In addition, it is possible to receive certain painkillers . In addition to drug treatment, conservative methods are also available. Those affected should massage the painful area several times a day . It is important to apply the pressure gently. The pain should still be bearable. It is also advisable to use different home remedies while taking medication.

In addition to the massages, those affected can use heat, for example in the form of electric blankets, cherry stone pillows, hip baths or hot water bottles. The heat helps the muscle relax. The aching thigh can also be stretched . The stretching positions should not be taken beyond your own pain threshold.If it is not possible to assume certain positions due to the pain and tension, patients must approach them carefully. Positions should not be forced during the stretch. Especially with the first application, it can be helpful to have the process checked by trained personnel. Physical therapists help people do the exercise correctly so that it does good, not harm.

outlook and prognosis

Muscle tightening in the thigh is a widespread phenomenon that is not uncommon, especially in athletes. The hardening has a very good prognosis, regardless of whether the person concerned simply waits for the spontaneous regression or accelerates the healing process with massages, ointments or red light therapy.

In rare cases, however, a muscle tightness in the thigh can also prove to be more persistent. This is often the case when the patient does not sufficiently protect the painfully hardened thigh. Here, too, the athlete is a good example: Anyone who does not wait for complete regeneration out of false ambition and starts training too early can make the hardening even worse. In addition, such behavior also harbors the risk that hardened tissue, which is less elastic than normal, will be overloaded and muscle fibers will tear .

It is difficult with regard to an exact assessment of the prognosis if a muscle hardening in the thigh is caused by non-physiological body statics, for example a curvature of the spine or a difference in leg length. Here the prospects for improvement depend very much on the treatability of the orthopedic cause. Sometimes it is also a lack of magnesium that can lead to hardening of the muscles, especially in the large and much-used thigh muscle. Here, too, the prognosis is good if the missing electrolytes are supplied and can be easily absorbed by the body.

prevention

Muscle hardening in the thigh can be prevented by certain measures. Before exercising, the body should always be warmed up . It is also important to stretch after exercising. This applies in particular after long endurance runs, bike tours or strength training with weights. With regular sports units, the magnesium requirement can be increased. This should be added consciously. It is also important that there is a phase of relaxation after strenuous training sessions.

Dorothy Farrar

Hello and welcome to my Health Guide & Encyclopedia! My name is Dorothy Farrar, and I'm the founder and main author of this platform.
My passion for health and wellness started at a young age when I became interested in the connection between the food we eat and the way we feel. This fascination led me to study nutrition and dietetics in college, where I learned about the importance of a balanced diet and the impact of various nutrients on the body.

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