What could cause both thighs to hurt?

Reviewed by Yoshinori Abe, MD

Internal Medicine

Thigh pain has several possible causes, including painful lumps in the muscle (such as cysts or tumors), complications from hip surgery, and muscle strains that occur during or after medical procedures. Each cause differs in origin, symptoms, and treatment approach, making an accurate diagnosis essential for effective relief.

Because thigh pain can stem from so many different conditions—some minor, others requiring prompt medical attention—guessing the cause can delay proper care. A quick, free, and confidential symptom check can help you identify possible causes based on your specific symptoms and guide you toward the right next steps, whether that's home care, seeing a specialist, or seeking urgent evaluation. It only takes a few minutes and could save you time, worry, and unnecessary discomfort.

Reviewed for medical accuracy: 07/15/2026

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Explanation

Thigh pain can come from several sources, and understanding them can help in finding the right treatment.

Painful Intramuscular Lipoma: A lipoma is a lump of fat that can grow inside the muscle and cause pain. This is like a small, soft bump that can hurt when pressed or moved.
Hip Surgery: If someone has had a hip replacement, especially a cementless one, they might feel pain in the thigh. This happens because the new hip part can press or rub against the thigh bone causing discomfort.
Muscle Strains from Surgery: Sometimes, when doctors use a tourniquet during knee surgeries, it can strain the thigh muscles. This happens because the tourniquet squeezes the leg to stop bleeding, and that pressure can stress the muscles.

Each of these causes has different ways to help. For example, a lipoma might need to be removed, while pain from surgery might get better with rest or physical therapy. If you're experiencing thigh pain and want to better understand what might be causing it, try our free AI symptom checker to get personalized insights before your doctor's visit.

(References)

Gutknecht DR. (2004). Painful intramuscular lipoma of the thigh. Southern medical journal, 15586608.
Brown TE, Larson B, Shen F, & Moskal JT. (2002). Thigh pain after cementless total hip arthroplasty. The Journal of the American Academy of Orthopaedic Surgeons, 12470040.
Stocks GW, Odoemene M, Gex J, Vidal EA, Sawyer K, Jones SL, et al. (2023). Quadriceps Strain and TKA: Contribution of the Tourniquet .... The Journal of bone and joint surgery. American volume, 36728455.

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