Hip flexor strains are often caused by simply “overdoing it.” While this type of injury is typically not serious, it can be quite painful and limit your activity and mobility. Knowing what hip flexor strain is and its causes can help you avoid injury and lead a healthy, pain-free life. At Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics, we aim not only to relieve painful conditions but to help you prevent them in the first place with knowledge and better understanding.

What are Hip Flexors?

The hip flexors are flexible muscle tissue that connects the top of the femur to the lower back, hips, and groin. The main job of your hip flexors is to bring your knees toward your chest and to bend at the waist. If overused, overstretched, or forced to hyperextend, injury can occur and reduce mobility.

Athletes who use the hip flexors in their sport are more susceptible to this type of injury. Activities like dancing, martial arts, and running put the hip flexors under the most strain. However, the things you do every day — like sitting in front of a computer for hours — can weaken and tighten your hip flexors, making them more prone to injury.

What Does Hip Flexor Strain Feel Like?

The primary symptom of hip flexor strain is pain at the front of the hip. However, there are many other symptoms associated with this injury. These include:

• Sudden pain
• Increased pain when lifting your thigh toward your chest
• Pain when stretching your hip muscles
• Muscle spasms at your thigh or hip
• Swelling or bruising at your hip or thigh area
• Tenderness to the touch at the front of your hip

How to Treat a Hip Flexor Strain

Many patients at Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics have learned to manage their hip flexor strain without medication or invasive procedures.

Rest and Ice

Dr. Hall will advise you to rest the affected muscles if you have a hip flexor strain. He might also suggest that you change up your normal activities to avoid over stretching the muscle. For example, try swimming instead of riding a bicycle.

Applying an ice pack to the affected area for 10- to 15-minute increments can help reduce swelling and pain. Also, alternating ice packs with moist heat applications starting 72 hours after the initial injury can ease you into recovery.

Careful Exercise

Gentle stretching can help reduce the likelihood of future injury, as well as minimize hip flexor muscle tension. Try stretches, such as the pigeon pose and the seated butterfly, but make sure you don’t push yourself too hard.

If your hip flexor strain is severe, Chattanooga Non-Surgical Orthopedics can assess if a further injury has occurred. We offer a wide range of hip flexor strain treatment options, compassionate care, and the technical expertise that can only be found at CNSO. We offer the latest state-of-the-art procedures, which allows us to provide better outcomes and, in many cases, faster recovery times.

Knowing the common causes of hip flexor strain can help you address your symptoms before they become worse. But if you find yourself with pain or an injury, get an appointment today for top-level care to keep your hip flexors strong.

423-499-0003

#bestinchattanooga