What causes pain in the upper thigh?

One of the most common causes of thigh pain is muscle strain, according to WebMD. Less common causes include vascular disease, blood clots and arthritis.

Some causes of upper thigh pain include:

• People who exercise every day may damage the muscles through overuse. Such pain may come with swelling and cramps.
• Individuals suffering with peripheral arterial disease can experience pain as a result of hardened veins or blood clots.
• Deep vein thrombosis is a rare, but serious, cause of upper thigh pain. It often arises following a period of sitting or lying down for a long time.
• In some cases, autoimmune diseases like rheumatoid arthritis and lupus cause thigh pain.

Individuals who experience a sudden onset of severe upper thigh pain should speak to a health care professional.