I have had a small lump in my right thigh for almost a year and it is painful to the touch, but otherwise goes unnoticed, what could this be?

Fibroma?: Most lumps are painless ... small benign fatty tumors/lipomas or epidermal cysts. The fact that yours is painful is notable. It is likely a dermatofibroma and likely requires no treatment, especially if it hasn't grown over the past year. But I would have it looked at by a dermatologist, just to make sure it doesn't have worrisome features. Very rarely a painful lump can be the beginning of cancer