Femur Pain? Why Your Thigh Is Aching and Medically Approved Next Steps

If you're feeling pain deep in your thigh, the femur—your thigh bone—may be involved. The femur is the longest and strongest bone in the body. It runs from your hip to your knee and supports nearly all of your body weight when you stand, walk, or run.

Because the femur is so central to movement, pain in this area can interfere with daily life. The good news? Most causes of femur pain are treatable. However, some conditions require prompt medical care.

Below, we'll break down the common and serious causes of femur pain, what symptoms to watch for, and medically approved next steps.

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What Is the Femur?

The femur connects your hip joint (femoral head) to your knee joint. It:

• Supports your body weight
• Allows walking, running, and jumping
• Protects bone marrow, which produces blood cells
• Works with surrounding muscles, ligaments, and tendons

Pain in this region may come from the bone itself, nearby muscles, or the hip or knee joint.

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Common Causes of Femur Pain

Most femur-related pain is not life-threatening. Here are the most frequent causes:

1. Muscle Strain or Overuse

This is the most common reason for thigh pain.

It often happens after:

• Intense workouts
• Sudden increases in activity
• Sprinting or jumping sports
• Heavy lifting

Symptoms:

• Aching or tightness in the thigh
• Pain that worsens with movement
• Mild swelling

Muscle strains usually improve with rest, ice, compression, and elevation (RICE).

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2. Contusion (Deep Bruise)

A direct hit to the thigh can bruise the muscles around the femur.

Symptoms:

• Tenderness
• Swelling
• Skin discoloration
• Pain when pressing on the area

Most bruises heal within a few weeks.

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3. Stress Fracture of the Femur

A stress fracture is a small crack in the bone caused by repetitive stress. Long-distance runners and military recruits are at higher risk.

Symptoms:

• Gradual onset of deep thigh pain
• Pain that worsens with activity
• Relief with rest
• Possible swelling

Unlike muscle pain, stress fracture pain often returns quickly when activity resumes.

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4. Femur Fracture

The femur is strong, so fractures usually occur from:

• Car accidents
• Falls from height
• Major trauma
• Osteoporosis in older adults

Symptoms:

• Severe pain
• Inability to bear weight
• Deformity of the leg
• Swelling

This is a medical emergency and requires immediate care.

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5. Hip Joint Problems (Referred Pain)

Pain from the hip can feel like it's coming from the femur.

Conditions include:

• Osteoarthritis
• Labral tears
• Bursitis
• Femoral head necrosis (also called avascular necrosis)

Femoral head necrosis occurs when blood supply to the top of the femur is reduced, leading to bone damage.

Symptoms may include:

• Deep groin or thigh pain
• Stiffness
• Pain that worsens with walking
• Limited hip motion

If you're experiencing deep groin or thigh pain combined with stiffness, you can use this free Femoral Head Necrosis symptom checker to help determine if your symptoms match this condition.

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6. Bone Infections (Osteomyelitis)

Though rare, infections can affect the femur.

Symptoms:

• Persistent pain
• Fever
• Swelling
• Redness

This requires urgent medical treatment.

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7. Bone Tumors

Both benign (non-cancerous) and malignant (cancerous) tumors can affect the femur.

Warning signs include:

• Deep, constant pain
• Pain at night
• Unexplained weight loss
• Swelling or lump

While these are uncommon, persistent unexplained femur pain should be evaluated.

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When to Seek Immediate Medical Care

Call emergency services or go to urgent care if you have:

• Severe pain after trauma
• Inability to stand or walk
• Visible deformity
• Fever with bone pain
• Sudden swelling with redness and warmth
• Numbness or loss of leg function

These symptoms may indicate fracture, infection, blood clot, or other serious conditions.

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How Doctors Diagnose Femur Pain

A healthcare professional may:

• Ask about your activity level and recent injuries
• Perform a physical exam
• Check range of motion in the hip and knee
• Order imaging tests such as:
  • X-ray
  • MRI
  • CT scan
  • Bone scan

Early diagnosis can prevent long-term complications, especially for stress fractures or femoral head necrosis.

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Medically Approved Next Steps

If your femur pain is mild and recent, you can start with conservative care:

✅ Rest

Avoid activities that worsen pain.

✅ Ice

Apply ice for 15–20 minutes several times daily.

✅ Over-the-Counter Pain Relief

Nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) like ibuprofen may help, unless your doctor advises otherwise.

✅ Gradual Return to Activity

Resume movement slowly once pain improves.

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If pain persists beyond a week or worsens:

• Schedule a primary care or orthopedic visit
• Request imaging if symptoms are not improving
• Ask about physical therapy

For chronic or deep joint pain, especially in the groin or upper thigh, discuss the possibility of hip joint conditions affecting the femur.

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Risk Factors for Femur Problems

You may be at higher risk if you:

• Participate in high-impact sports
• Have osteoporosis
• Use corticosteroids long-term
• Consume excessive alcohol
• Have autoimmune disease
• Have a history of hip injury

Knowing your risk factors helps guide prevention.

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Preventing Femur Pain

While not all causes are preventable, you can reduce your risk by:

• Gradually increasing exercise intensity
• Wearing supportive footwear
• Strengthening hip and thigh muscles
• Maintaining a healthy weight
• Getting adequate calcium and vitamin D
• Avoiding smoking

Strong muscles help support the femur and reduce bone stress.

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The Bottom Line

Femur pain can range from a mild muscle strain to a serious bone condition. Most thigh pain improves with rest and conservative treatment. However, persistent, worsening, or severe pain should never be ignored.

Pay attention to:

• Deep, constant pain
• Night pain
• Pain that doesn't improve with rest
• Inability to bear weight
• Fever or swelling

If you are unsure about your symptoms, consider using a free, online Femoral Head Necrosis symptom checker to better understand potential causes.

Most importantly, speak to a doctor if you suspect anything serious or life-threatening. Early medical evaluation can prevent complications and protect your long-term mobility.

Your femur is built to support you for life. Taking pain seriously—and acting early—helps ensure it continues to do just that.