The Best Thigh Braces

Thigh pain can have various causes, but the most common are strains and sprains of the thigh muscles. Luckily, wearing a thigh brace can help.

Thigh braces offer support and compression to alleviate discomfort and speed up healing. Take a moment to look at our guide to the best thigh braces, and select one that suits your specific requirements.

Thigh Brace FAQ

• What to Look for in a Thigh Brace?

  Tight braces deliver compression and support, but a brace that fits poorly or is made out of uncomfortable material may do more bad than good. First, decide whether you want a brace that fits around your waist and thigh or the just the thigh—while they are bulkier, braces with a waistband are usually more stable. If your brace comes in multiple sizes, be sure to follow the measurement instructions to find one that fits your thigh size. Neoprene braces are usually a good choice as they offer therapeutic warmth to soothe the muscles and are gentle on most skin types.

• How Do You Relieve Upper Thigh Pain?

  Upper thigh pain may be accompanied by aching, burning, or tingling. Luckily, thigh discomfort is usually nothing to worry about and can be alleviated by wearing a thigh brace. There are also some other simple treatment options that can be easily done in the comfort of your home. Some of these include hot or cold therapy, over-the-counter pain relievers such as ibuprofen, as well as gentle stretching and strengthening exercises.

Causes of Pain in the Upper Thigh

The thigh is composed of many muscles, tendons, and ligaments. Depending on the severity of the condition or injury, thigh pain can be treated at home or it could be a sign of a more serious problem. Here are some causes of upper thigh discomfort.

• Sprains and Strains

  Sprains are caused by torn or stretched ligaments that connect bones, while strains are caused by torn or stretched muscles or tendons. Both are caused by overextension. Some of the symptoms of sprains and strains include sharp pain after a fall or an intense workout, difficulty moving the thigh, and swelling around the affected area. Muscle sprains and strains often affect the hamstring or the hip flexor muscles.

• Nerve Pain

  Thigh pain can also be caused by nerve damage. Often due to diabetes, peripheral neuropathy can cause numbness, burning, or shooting pain in the thighs. Damage to the lateral femoral cutaneous nerve, can cause tingling, numbness, and burning in the outer thighs.

• Injury to Another Part of the Body

  An injury to another part of the body can cause pain to radiate to the thighs. For example, sciatica, or a trapped nerve in the lumbar region, can cause pain to radiate to the outer thigh.

  A hip injury or osteoarthritis of the hip can also result in pain that radiates down the legs.

• Deep Vein Thrombosis (DVT)

  Deep vein thrombosis, or a blood clot, of the lower leg or thigh, can also cause thigh pain. The symptoms of DVT sometimes also include tenderness, swelling, and redness. If you suspect that you may have a blood clot, contact your doctor immediately. An untreated blood clot can travel to the lungs and cause a pulmonary embolism.

Thigh Exercises

The thighs are made up of four muscle groups including quads, hamstrings, adductors, and abductors, all of which are responsible for movement. Whether you are an athlete or just going about your daily activities, strong and flexible thigh muscles can maximize your performance and help you avoid injuries. Here are just a few exercises to get you started.

• Half Squats

  Stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips. Your feet should be slightly turned outward, with your weight on your heels. Keeping your back straight, bend your knees and lower your buttocks down as if you were trying to sit. Stop when your thighs are parallel to the floor. Keeping your core tight, return to the upright position. Repeat this exercise ten times.

• Reverse Lunges With Knee Lifts

  Once again, stand with your feet shoulder-width apart and your hands on your hips. Step back with your right foot, bending both knees until they are at a 90-degree angle. Return to the standing position, thrusting your right knee toward your chest. Repeat this exercise five times on each side.

• Toe Touches

  Stand upright with your knees straight and your feet on the ground. Bend over and try to touch your toes until you feel a stretch behind your knees. Hold this move for ten seconds before returning to the starting position. Repeat this exercise five times.

• Quad Stretch

  Stand upright with your right leg in front. Keeping your left leg straight, slowly bend your right knee until you feel a stretch on top of your thigh. Hold this move for five seconds before returning to the starting position. Perform this exercise five times on each side.

• Leg Raises

  Lie on your back with your right knee bent at a 90-degree angle. Your right foot should be flat on the floor for support. Keeping your left leg straight, slowly lift it around ten inches off the floor. Hold this position for five seconds before repeating this exercise five times on each side.

Weighing All the Factors

After reviewing countless thigh support braces, BODYMATE’s compression brace came out on top as the best thigh brace on the market. Pairing latex-free material with adjustable Velcro straps, it delivers stability, comfort, and compression to alleviate pain and speed up healing.

tOur other two picks, Roxofit’s hip, and groin support and ODOFIT’s thigh support brace are also great options for thigh pain. Take a look at our list of the best thigh braces to find one that suits your particular needs.