You have indicated that you have front of thigh pain

Below are some specific descriptions of symptoms related to a running front of thigh injury or front of thigh pain.

Decide which description most closely matches the front of thigh problem you are experiencing then click on
the button next to it. You will be presented with a likely diagnosis for your front of thigh injury and advice as to
what to do.

You can diagnose other running injuries here.

  • Step 1
  • Step 2
  • Step 3 - current step
  • Step 4

Click on the description that most closely matches your symptoms:

Symptom 1

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  • A dull ache deep in the general area of the thigh that occurs after running long distances, and worsens the more you run.
  • The pain slowly increases during your run, reaching a peak at the end of your run.
  • On successive runs the pain comes on at an earlier stage and becomes severe sooner, eventually forcing you to finish your run early.
  • Pain may be referred into the knee.
  • Pain may become worse if you sit on a bench, table or chair, and let your thigh hang over the edge of it, particularly if weight is then applied downwards onto the thigh – this is called the hanging test.
  • X-ray may or may not show up the stress fracture but a bone scan or MRI should give a more accurate diagnosis.

Symptom 2

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  • Pain, tightness or cramp in the inner thigh at the groin.
  • A sudden sharp pain, or a slow gradually occuring pain in the groin area or inner thigh during running.
  • Pain in the inner thigh when suddenly changing direction (e.g. to get out of the way of someone) on a run.
  • Bruising or swelling (this might not occur until a couple of days after the initial injury).
  • Pain or inability to squeeze the legs together or perhaps to lift the leg up straight when lying or standing.
  • Pain on stretching your groin.
  • There may be a specific point on the bone in your groin that is tender.
  • Walking up and down stairs may be painful.

Symptom 3

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  • A sudden sharp pain in the front of the thigh whilst running, most commonly during speed work or hill sprints, or running fast downhill.
  • The front thigh muscle (quadriceps) may go into spasm and be painful when trying to stretch and contract it.
  • There may be swelling and bruising.
  • If the tear is severe a gap in the muscle may be felt at the area of pain.
  • You may find it difficult to walk without a limp, and may get sudden twinges of pain on each step.
  • You might be unable to fully bend the knee.
  • Pain when you try to straighten the knee against resistance.

Symptom 4

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  • Pain just above or on the upper part of the kneecap during and after exercise.
  • You may get pain when you are getting up from a crouched position.
  • Bending the knee to its full amount and then trying to straighten against resistance may reproduce pain.
  • If you contract your front thigh muscles with your leg straight you might also get pain.
  • Pain can also be felt when pressing into the soft area along the top of the kneecap.
  • Stiffness the day after training can also occur.
  • Tends to be more common in runners over the age of 40.