The hip flexors consist of a group of muscles that allow the trunk and thigh to move towards each other. These muscles allow the body to bend and sit and help people lift up their leg straight up when lying on their back. The hip flexors contract to move the hips when running forward and kicking. These muscles can become overworked and injured. However, in many cases hip flexor muscle injuries can be prevented by using proper training principals.
Strains
There are six main muscles that make up the hip flexors and isolating which one is injured can become challenging states the Richard Stockton College Athletic Training website. Any type of forceful or abrupt contraction of the muscles in the top front of the thigh can cause a strain in one or more of the hip flexor muscles. The risk of injury becomes higher in sprinters or those that play sports such as soccer that involve repetitive kicking motions. A first degree strain of any of these muscles occurs when a muscle has become overstretched. This can cause pain, stiffness and swelling. Avoiding movements that aggravate the symptoms along with ice and gentle stretching can help this injury to heal. If left untreated the muscle fibers can partially tear leading to a grade two or moderate strain. This is a more serious injury that requires complete rest, ice and in some cases medication to control swelling.
Muscle Tears
According to PhysioAdvisor.com a blow to the thigh or extreme movement can lead to a complete tear of one or more of the hip flexor muscles. This usually causes severe pain and disability. The pain may feel sharp, come on suddenly and hinder the ability to walk. The area may show bruising and become tender to the touch. This level of injury often requires surgery and can take months to heal.
Tendinitis and Bursitis
Bursitis an tendinitis are not actual injuries to the muscle but they can result when hip flexor muscles become tight or overused. The American Academy of Family Physicians states that overuse of this area can cause friction in the tendons, ligaments and bursa located around the hip flexor muscles. A period of rest, ice and medication may prove necessary. After symptoms subside it will become necessary to stretch and strengthen the hip flexors to prevent future problems. It may also prove helpful for a coach or therapist to evaluate movement patterns to detect improper training techniques that can stress the hip flexor muscles.
