Hip Flexor Strain
Hip flexors are a group of flexible muscle tissues that allow you to bend knees and flex your hips. These are located in the pelvic region and near the top of the thigh. Overstretching or overusing these muscles can cause strain. This can significantly limit your mobility and activity.
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan provides orthopedic surgery to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and surrounding locations.
Hip Flexor Strain Injury
Typically, this orthopedic injury occurs when the hip flexor tendons and muscles are used too much. This causes excessive stretching and tearing. Hip flexor strain can be categorized into three grades depending on the extent of severity:
- Grade I tear is a minor tear that involves a few damaged fibers. Your hip will function normally.
- Grade II tear involves damage to several muscle fibers. You may experience moderate loss of function. Your hip may give out sometimes while walking or standing.
- Grade III tear involves completely torn muscles. Your hip won’t be able to bear your weight.
Symptoms of Strain in the Hip Flexors
The primary symptom of hip flexor strain is pain in region where the thigh meets the hip. There are several other symptoms associated with this condition:
- Cramping in the upper leg muscles
- Sharp pain the pelvis or hip
- Tender or sore upper leg
- Difficulty in sprinting, jumping or kicking
- Tugging sensation in the groin area
- Stiffness or tightness after being still
- Tenderness or pain when walking stairs
Sports related accidents a primary cause of strain in the hip flexors. However, other factors, such as poor posture, overuse, poor walking habits, and arthritis can cause this condition as well.
Hip specialists will examine your upper leg area to diagnose the condition. They will create a treatment plan after discussing the symptoms and related activity.
Treatment of Hip Flexor Strain
You can treat most hip flexor injuries at home. They don’t require invasive procedures or prescription medications. You may be asked to ice the area by your doctor. You would also be asked to avoid actions that make you overuse the hip flexors. Gentle stretching can greatly help in reducing muscle tension and decrease the risk of future injuries.
Your hip specialist will advise physic therapy if the injury is because of a larger muscle tear. On occasions, surgery for repairing the ruptured muscle may also be recommended. Most of the time, the recovery time depends on the severity of the injury. It may take a few days for mild strains to heal. Severe strains may need up to 6 weeks for complete recovery. You can worsen the injury or suffer greater pain if you fail to rest.
Your day can be brought to a grinding halt because of nagging hip pain. You can regain mobility by working with a proven and experienced hip specialist. The right treatment provider can get you on the road to recovery quickly.
Board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan receives patien
Contact the Southern California Hip Institute
Dr. Tigran Garabekyan is a board certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in hip preservation. To learn more about Southern California Hip Institute or to schedule a consultation, click here to contact us or call:
Century City / Los Angeles: 310.595.1030
Serving patients in Los Angeles, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Century City, West Hollywood, North Hollywood Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, Burbank, Glendale and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/ts from Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and nearby areas for orthopedic surgery.