Why has my thigh hurt for two weeks after playing softball?

Question

Hello doctor,

I am 18 years old, and I play softball. The top part of the back of my thigh has been hurting for two weeks now. It is really hard to get up and down the stairs. I think I strained my muscle, but it has gotten worse. My questions are:

What is wrong with my thigh?
How concerned should I be about my thigh?
Is this normal?

Kindly help.

Answer 1

Hello,

Welcome to icliniq.com.

I read your query and understood your concern.

All the symptoms you have mentioned are suggestive of sore muscles in your thighs. This is quite common in sportspeople and after strenuous physical activity. It could also be due to a sprain.

Sometimes, repeated running, jumping, or sudden stretching during sports can put extra strain on the thigh muscles and make the pain worse over time if not properly rested.

You do not need to worry about this, as it is highly curable with conservative treatment, and the chances of complications are very low. However, if you notice swelling, redness, severe pain, difficulty walking, or no improvement after a few days, it is better to get examined.

I suggest that you try the following as first-line management:

You can take simple analgesics like Ibuprofen or Diclofenac for pain relief.
Apply ice packs over the affected area. Alternating warm and cold compresses can also be tried.
Adequate bed rest and immobilization are also needed.

If the symptoms persist, I suggest you consult an orthopedician and get yourself checked.

I hope you are satisfied with my answer. For further queries, you can consult me at iCliniq.

Thank you.