A hip pointer injury most commonly describes a trauma to the top portion of the pelvis's iliac crest and resulting muscle bruise. The muscles that can be involved include the sartorious, abdominals, tensor fascia lata, and rectus femoris. A hip pointer injury causes hip and side pain and difficulty moving the hip joint and trunk. The bruise usually results from a fall or from contact and is located over a bony prominence. Treatments are aimed at symptom relief and are the same no matter what muscle is primarily bruised.
Sartorious
The sartorious is a muscle that has its origin at the anterior superior iliac spine on the iliac crest. Injury to the sartorious is the most common cause of hip pointer. The sartorious muscle helps with abduction, lateral/external rotation and hip flexion. Abduction is moving the hip away from the midline. Flexing the knee is also a function of the sartorious muscle. A hip pointer injury involving the sartorious muscle can make moving the hip painful.
Rectus Femoris
The rectus femoris is a quadriceps muscle that has its origin near the iliac crest. This muscle is responsible for flexing the hip joint and extending the knee. When the rectus femoris is injured, it may be painful to flex the hip joint.
Abdominals
The internal and external oblique muscles are abdominal muscles that have bony attachments to the iliac crest. These muscles are responsible for allowing the trunk to twist and turn. When injured during a hip pointer, moving the trunk and hip may be painful.
Tensor Fascia Lata
The tensor fascia lata is a gluteal muscle that has its origin at the anterior superior iliac spine and on the anterior part of the iliac crest. It is responsible for abducting, flexing and medially/internally rotating the femur. When the tensor fascia lata is bruised, moving the hip can be painful.
References
- "The Sports Medicine Patient Advisor (2nd edition)"; Dr. Pierre Rouzier; 2004
- "Expert Guide to Sport Medicine"; Dr. Matthew Davis, Dr. Peter Davis and Dr. David Ross (eds); 2005
