The hip area can suffer damage ranging from minor injuries requiring minor treatment to more serious injuries resulting in the muscles detaching from the bone. When the hip flexor muscles are strained, torn, pulled, or injured, it can result in hip flexor strain.
Various activities can lead to this condition with sharp pain being its primary symptom. Serious hip flexor injuries include third-degree sprains in which the bone breaks along with the muscle sprain. These injuries may require orthopedic surgery in some cases.
Southern California Hip Institute (SCHI), led by dedicated board certified orthopedic surgeon Dr. Tigran Garabekyan, provides safe and proven treatments for the hip, knee and shoulder to patients in Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and surrounding communities across the horizon.
What are Hip Flexors?
The psoas muscle forms a part of the hip flexor muscles. The hip flexor muscles connect the top of the femur (the body’s largest bone) to the lower back, hips, and groin.
There are multiple hip flexor muscles that work simultaneously enabling a person to move. These muscles include:
- The iliacus and psoas are significant muscles, also known as iliopsoas.
- The rectus femoris which is a part of the quadriceps.
Injury can result from overuse and overstretching of these tendons and muscles, and such injuries are characterized by pain and reduced mobility.
Hip Flexor Strain Symptoms
The following symptoms are associated with hip flexor strain:
- A sharp and sudden pain in the pelvis or hip after an injury to the area
- A sensation of clenching or cramping in the muscles of the upper leg region
- Tenderness and soreness in the upper leg
- Strength loss in the front of the groin in addition to a tugging sensation
- Hip or thigh muscle spasms
- Inability to perform movements such as jumping, kicking, or spinning
- A reduction in mobility and discomfort when moving, including limping
- Constant pain and discomfort in the upper leg region
- Bruising or inflammation around the thigh or hip area
- A feeling of stiffness or tightness after being stationary, such as after sleeping
Treatments
Exercises under the direction of a doctor may be all the treatment a patient needs for minor hip flexor injuries.
Other common treatments options for hip flexor strains are as follows:
- Allowing the muscles to rest to enable them to heal while discontinuing activities that could aggravate the condition.
- Wearing a compression wrap around the injured region.
- Application of an ice pack to the injured area.
- Application of a heat pack to the injured area.
- Taking a hot shower or bath
- OTC pain medications such as acetaminophen (Tylenol), ibuprofen (Advil, Motrin), and naproxen sodium (Aleve).
It is important to note that the patient should follow the doctor’s guidelines while using these medications and not use them for over 10 days. If the patient still feels pain after ten days, they should consult their doctor to evaluate alternative treatment options.
Surgery
More severe cases of hip flexor strain will prompt the doctor to order an x-ray, MRI, or CT scan to determine if the bone may be broken. In cases where the damage is significant, a doctor may refer the patient to a physical therapist or recommend orthopedic surgery to repair the muscle. But this level of damage is typically rare.
The patient should consult a doctor if the hip flexor strain causes a limp or if the symptoms do not subside after resting and treating at home for one week. Successful orthopedic surgeon Dr. Garabekyan receives patients from Los Angeles, Century City, CA, and other towns and cities in this region of SoCal for hip, knee, and shoulder treatments.
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 Encino, Sherman Oaks, Van Nuys, North Hollywood, Burbank, Glendale, West Hollywood, Century City, Beverly Hills, Santa Monica, Los Angeles, and other neighboring cities in the greater Los Angeles, California area.
Also visit http://www.drgorthopedics.com/
