Hip flexor injuries most often occur from explosive movements used in sports, as is required in running, football or soccer. Pain originating in the front of your hip which radiates down your thigh is one of the indications you may have pulled your hip flexor muscles. Your hip flexor actually consists of three separate muscles that work together to enable hip flexion and enhance leg stability. Flexibility training is essential for prevention and treatment of hip flexor pulls.
Anatomy
The three muscles of your hip flexors are located at the top of your thighs, just underneath your hipbones. The rectus femoris, one of four quadricep muscles which enable you to flex your knee, originates at the pelvis and attaches to a knee tendon. The psoas major and illiacus, also known as the iliopsoas, both run from your lower spine and pelvis and attach to your femur. These three muscles work together to allow you to lift your knees and bend at your waist.
Description
Hip flexor strains may involve just one or all three of the hip flexor muscles. Soft tissue injuries, such as a ligament or muscle strain, are classified by degree of severity, ranging from a partial tear to fully ruptured. A pull, or first-degree tear, is the least serious injury and only involves about five percent of the muscle. A third-degree injury is indicated by a fully ruptured muscle or ligament.
Symptoms
The most common symptom associated with a hip flexor pull is pain, especially when attempting to bring your knee to your chest. Daily movement involving walking, running or jumping may also increase painful symptoms. In some cases, depending on the severity of the injury, symptoms may also include swelling, slight bruising and muscle spasms. Range-of-motion may be affected as well as general hip strength.
Treatment and Prevention
Initially, until the pain subsides, treat a hip flexor tear with ice packs and rest from vigorous activity. Ice is useful for alleviating pain and reducing inflammation. Rest is essential for allowing the injured tissue to recover. If your pain continues after a few days of treatment, consult your physician for a thorough diagnosis. To avoid injury recurrence, implement a regular flexibility stretching program and always perform a proper warmup before engaging in sports or any athletic activity.
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