Leg Injuries and Pain

A femur shaft fracture, or broken thighbone, typically occurs during heavy collisions, such as car accidents. The thighbone is the strongest bone in the body and takes a lot of force to break.

Common symptoms of a femur shaft fracture include:

• Immediate, severe pain
• Inability to bear weight
• The affected leg appears shorter than the other leg

A groin injury is a strain or tear to any muscles on the inner side of your thigh. Common causes of a groin injury include sudden movements, such as twisting to change direction while running, kicking and jumping.

Symptoms of a groin injury include:

• Bruising
• Loss of strength in the upper leg
• Pain in the inner thigh
• Swelling

A hamstring injury involves a strain or tear to the tendons or large muscles located at the back of the thigh. The injury can occur when you decelerate following a hard sprint or run.

Common symptoms of hamstring injuries include:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Tenderness

With a hamstring injury, it’s important that you work with a physical therapist to increase your range of motion and strengthen your hamstring and the muscles around it. This will help you alleviate symptoms and decrease the risk of a future hamstring injury.

Quadricep strains involve a group of four muscles in the front thigh that connect to the knee just below the knee cap. Quadricep strains are typically due to the overuse of the muscles. Common symptoms of a quadricep strain include:

• Bruising
• Pain
• Inflammation
• Tightness in the thigh

It’s important to work with your physical therapist to learn and perform exercises that strengthen your quads, the muscles around them, and fortify your balance and flexibility. This helps the recovery process and decreases the chance of future quadriceps strains.