Hip Flexor
If you suffer from a hip flexor injury, please Schedule an appointment with one of our orthopedic specialists as soon as possible.
What is a Hip Flexor Strain?
A hip flexor strain involves stretching or tearing one or more muscles or tendons within the hip flexor group, which includes the iliopsoas, rectus femoris, sartorius, and tensor fasciae latae. These muscles connect the pelvis and upper leg and allow the hip to lift the knee, bend the hip, and support walking, running, kicking, and other lower-body movements. Damage can range from mild overstretching to a complete muscle or tendon tear.
Specialists classify hip flexor strains into three grades based on the extent of tissue damage. Grade 1 strains involve minor muscle fiber stretching with minimal loss of strength or function. Grade 2 strains involve a partial tear that reduces strength and limits movement. Grade 3 strains involve a complete muscle or tendon tear that causes significant loss of function and often requires more extensive treatment and rehabilitation.
Muscle Strains vs. Pulled Muscles
There’s no difference between a strained muscled and a pulled muscle. However, people use the terms interchangeably. The same is true for a strained muscle and a torn muscle. They’re the same injury with the same symptoms and treatments.
Hip Flexor Strains and Other Injuries
There are lots of common injuries that cause muscle pain similar to this condition include:
- Pinched Nerves
- Herniated Disc
- Blood Clots
- Other muscle strains — like groin strains and quadricep strains.
- Femoroacetabualr impingement (also called hip impingement).
Talk to a provider if you experience any sudden, sharp pain in your body, especially if it happens during physical activity like a workout or playing sports.
Risks of Hip Flexor Strains
Hip flexor strains can cause persistent pain, weakness, stiffness, and reduced hip movement when patients return to activity too quickly. Severe strains can lead to muscle or tendon tears, prolonged recovery, and difficulty walking, running, kicking, or climbing stairs. Repeated strain can increase the risk of chronic pain and recurrent injuries, especially when athletes resume sports without adequate healing, stretching, and strengthening.
Treatment Options for Hip Flexor Strains
Mild Hip Flexor Strains:
Specialists often recommend rest, reduced activity, ice, and pain medication to decrease pain and swelling. Patients can gradually return to normal activities as symptoms improve, while gentle stretching and physical therapy help restore flexibility, strength, and hip movement.
Severe Hip Flexor Strains:
Severe strains involving significant muscle or tendon tears may require longer periods of rest and structured physical therapy. Specialists may recommend crutches to reduce weight-bearing when walking causes significant pain. For complete tendon tears or injuries that fail to heal with conservative treatment, surgeons may repair the damaged muscle or tendon. Rehabilitation after treatment focuses on restoring strength, flexibility, stability, and normal hip function.
If you would like to speak to a Texas Based Orthopedic Specialist, give us a call at 817-697-4038, or contact us online. Telemedicine appointments are also available.
