What Causes Sharp Pain In Upper Leg Above The Knee?

Posted on Thu, 9 Jun 2016

Question: I'm having very quick, sharp pain on my upper leg above my knee. It's not constant, but just pops up at any time and hurts, but it's very quick.

I would just add that for about a year or so I got these spikes in my head almost the same way this "pain" is on my upper leg. I did go to ER as it was determined that I might have had a TIA since my speech was "funny." No tests showed anything wrong. Now I''m getting these "spikes" in my upper leg and just wonder if whatever was making me have spikes in my head, moved to my upper leg...like mayb some kind of clot. Please advise.

I should have said I did go to ER at the time I had the speech problem which only lasted less than 20 seconds, but have not gotten any advice about these leg "spikes" which just started yesterday, but are more numerous today.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (23 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Localised muscle spasm. Needs MRI to look for local knee pathology

Detailed Answer:
Hi there. Welcome to HCM,

Thanks for the query.

It could be localized muscle spasm in that area.

Apply hot packs to the painful regions intermittently. I'd you have hurt your knee by twisting it, then do wear a knee brace.

You could get a knee MRI to look for ligament tears of meniscal cartilage tears.

Avoid flexing the knee if it hurts. Keep the limb elevated.

I hope I have answered your query.

I will be available to answer your follow up queries.

Regards,

Dr. Aashish Raghu

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (12 minutes later)

Did you read my added comments? This "pain" is a quick spike kind of thing, not a pulled muscle or that I twisted my leg somehow. Kindly review the added information that I provided and consider more information to provide me with. Thank you

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (4 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Episodic sharp muscle spasm

Detailed Answer:
Welcome Back,
Yes Dear, I've read your query as well as the add-on.

Spike like pains could be a manifestation of localized muscle and nerve activity disturbance. They could present in episodes like cramps.

Perform warm massage to relax the muscles in that region and get an MRI of the knee done to actually locate the cause. Please let me know if there's any further queries in this regard..

Best Wishes

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee

Follow up: Dr. Aashish Raghu (20 minutes later)

Thank you for you second answer. I will try to follow what you have suggested, but just want to make it clear, it's NOT my knee, it's above my knee, maybe 4 or 5 inches above. If you still have the same answer then you don't have to bother writing again, but if there is something to add because of the location, kindly do so.

Answered by Dr. Aashish Raghu (7 minutes later)

Brief Answer:
Kindly follow Conservative measures

Detailed Answer:
Do follow the Conservative measures I mentioned in my first post to you. Try local heat application, eat a balanced diet, avoid excessive knee flexion and climbing.

If this does not subside in a week, you may consider getting the MRI.

Regards

Note: For further queries, consult a joint and bone specialist, an Orthopaedic surgeon. Book a Call now.

Above answer was peer-reviewed by : Dr. Arnab Banerjee