Burning Pain in leg

[Carol392]

For the past couple of weeks I have experienced a strange burning pain on the front of my right thigh. The pain is only in a small area, not my whole leg. It's usually after I stand up after I've been sitting for awhile, but the pain has woken me up at night a couple of times, too. A few times I've just lightly touched it, or my clothing has rubbed up against it and it has caused pain. The pain goes away after a few seconds. What could be causing this? I'm 24 years old, in pretty good shape, and have never had any major health problems.

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
The pain of this type can be due to deep vein thrombosis or due to deep vein valvular dysfunction. It can also be due to poor posture in sleep that caused the nerve endings to be compressed. If the burning pain persists then a neurological problem like the spinal nerves getting compressed in the lumbar region should be looked at. Basically you need a combined approach of a neurologist and a vascular specialist.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[sgreenblatt]

Carol,

What you are experiencing could also be neurological.  Many times burning pain can be nerve pain, as well as the causes that other members of this forum suggested.  The symptom that got my attention is the pain from a light touch or from clothing rubbing lightly against it.  This sounds a lot like allodynia, which is surface pain from a light touch that would not normally cause any pain.  I would definitely see someone.  It is more urgent if it is one of the pulmonary issues.  However, if you are at the beginning of a potentially chronic neurological problem, it is absolutely critical that you have it diagnosed quickly.  For some of these diseases, an early diagnosis and treatment can potentially lead to remission or even a cure.  If they are not diagnosed and treated promptly (like in the first 2-3 months) then they can become actively chronic and hound you forever.  Best of luck and let me know if you have any questions.

Seth

[lollyholly]

i jus woke up to a EXTREME burning pain on my right thigh. The pain was in the whole entire front of my thigh.it woke me from my sleep and i wanted to cry out from the pain . it went a way a little bit after that. so i been rubbing my thigh because i still feel a tingling sensation in it. im wondering what it is. at first i thought my thigh fell asleep but i never got that much pain from a part of my body falling asleep,. so if you think it is due to side effects of medication im taking or what i would love to know THANKS

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
Lateral (outer) knee pain can be due to Runners knee (iliotibial band syndrome), lateral meniscus tear / cartilage tear, lateral cartilage meniscus abnormality, osteoarthritis of the knee and patellofemoral pain syndrome.
You can discuss these possibilities when you consult an orthopedic specialist. It need not be a fracture. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!

[emphasis]

I have had something similar. Last week, I had a softball hit me on the leg and the next day twisted by knee.  There is a spot below to the left of my right knee, that has a burning sensation.  It wakes me up at night, it's kind of a burning ache.  I is painful to the touch, not so painful that I have had to take anything, just uncomfortable. Also it's got a kind of numb feeling when I touch it, but that is the only time I notice the numbness.  Since this has been going on for a week, I'm thinking of seeing my doctor in case there is a fracture.  

[Dr. Kokil Mathur]

Hi
Thanks for writing to the forum!
The burning pain can be due to deep vein thrombosis or due to deep vein valvular dysfunction. A color doppler or an angiogram is able to diagnose the condition. Smoking is a complete no for this condition and caffeine should be reduced to minimum. You need to consult a vascular doctor for this. Most of these thrombii disappear with blood thinners given under medical supervision.
This can also be due to dermatitis.
Hope this helps. Please let me know if there is any thing else and do keep me posted. Take care!