Hip flexor strain and bursitis are common causes for hip pain that develops during or after sprinting. Minor cases of bursitis and hip strain respond to self-care, but see your doctor if you can't walk more than a few steps without pain, or if you experience numbness, can't move your hip, or notice redness or red streaks radiating from the injured area. Your doctor also can recommend physical therapy and strengthening exercises to promote healing and prevent re-injury.
Hip Flexor Strain
Your hip flexor muscles consist of muscles that extend from your lower back to the front of your thigh. With a hip flexor muscle strain, there is stretching or tearing, often from an explosive muscle movement such as sprinting or making sudden starts and stops. Overtraining also can play a role. A Grade I tear involves only minor stretching or micro-tears in muscle tissue; symptoms include tightness and pain in the front of the thigh and the hip. With a Grade II strain, there is partial tearing of the muscle; you will feel a sudden sharp pull or cramp, with swelling and pain developing within 24 hours. A Grade III strain usually involves a complete rupture of the muscle, and results in severe pain, swelling and bruising. Grade III strains should be seen by a doctor. Muscle strains are diagnosed by physical examination and palpation; MRI or ultrasound also may be used.
Hip Bursitis
Bursitis -- caused by the inflammation of the fluid-filled sacs, or bursae, between the greater trochanter bone and the hard tendon that passes over the bone -- is another repetitive use injury that may affect runners. Symptoms include aching on the outside of the hip that is particularly noticeable whenever you take a step. Other symptoms include redness and swelling. Diagnosis is made by palpation and X-rays. In severe cases, your doctor may need to drain the area; he may also prescribe cortisone shots.
Treatment
Both bursitis and hip flexor strains can be treated using the R.I.C.E. technique. Mayo Clinic advises resting from the activity that caused the injury, applying ice for 20 minutes every few hours, applying an elastic compression bandage, and keeping the leg on the injured side elevated, if possible. Reduce pain and swelling with over-the-counter anti-inflammatory medications -- such as ibuprofen -- if you have no conditions that preclude their use. Roland Jeffrey Sports Physiotherapy Sports Injury Clinic notes that sports massage can promote healing, and recommends strengthening and flexibility exercises -- such as the hip flexor stretch -- to help prevent re-injury in the future.
Returning to Running
You can return to your former level of training when you have full range of motion and strength in the leg on the injured side. ND Ortho notes that this is indicated by the ability to sprint without pain or limping. Other signs you are ready to return to running include the ability to run 20-yard figure eights without discomfort, and to jump and land without pain.
