Hip flexors are the group of muscles that connect the legs to the upper body to support flexion movement i.e. to bring the leg or knee towards your torso or bend your trunk towards your hips. The five distinct muscles of this hip flexor group are crucial for lower body movements and also for injury prevention. And yet, hip flexors strain happen to be the most overlooked muscles when it comes to exercise, hence hip flexor strain have become common problems suffered by patients around the world.
What is Hip Flexor Strain?
Hip flexors are the group of muscles that originate at the pelvis and front of the spine and attach to the inside of the upper leg while crossing through the front of the hip. These muscles power the lower body movements and act as spin stabilizers and when these muscles get strained due to either overuse or muscle imbalances, contraction or weaknesses due to tightening or shortening caused by lack of mobility.
Causes of Hip Flexor Strain:
Too much over-use of these muscles courtesy of intensive physical activities like soccer, dance, martial arts, cycling is one of the most common causes of a hip strain. And this is why sportspersons are more commonly diagnosed and treated at our Joints and Sports Clinic in Surat by Dr. Chirag Patel. Even underuse of these muscles due to extended sitting can tighten or shorten the hip flexors which when subjected to sudden intensive tasks can cause hip strain. Direct trauma to the hip, rheumatoid arthritis or osteoarthritis are also some of the few causes of hip flexor strain.
Types of Hip Flexor Tears:
A hip flexor strain usually represents the tear in the hip which are further classified into three types based on their severity:
Grade 1 Tear: a simple and minor tear where only a few fibers are torn or damaged.
Grade 2 Tear: Patients experience a moderate loss of hip function due to significantly more damage to the hip muscles. This is the most common cause of hip tear diagnosed by Dr. Chirag Patel at his Joints and Sports Clinic in Surat.
Grade 3 Tear: This type of tear is most severe of the lot where the muscle completely is torn or ruptured and patients limp to walk.
Signs and Symptoms of Hip Flexor Strain:
As it happens with all the strains, sudden onset pain is one of the most common precursors of any type of hip flexor strain. The pain can range from mild to intense level, in most cases limiting the range of motion and mobility of the hip. Some of the common signs and symptoms of the hip flexor strain include:
- Pain or pulling in the groin or near the front of the hip.
- Weakness and pain when climbing or walking stairs.
- Pain and difficulty when rising up from the squat position or sometimes even chair.
- Bruising, swelling or noticeable muscle deformity or muscle spasms.
- Pain when pulling the knee toward your chest or bending the torso.
The symptoms experienced by the patient depend upon the severity of the strain and treatment for hip flexor strain by the orthopaedic surgeon or hip replacement surgeon depends on the type of strain. As long as the strain is not severe, PRICE (Protection, Rest, Ice, Compression & Elevation) works well along with home remedies, exercise, and medication. But in case the strain happens to be a severe one, where you need additional support for your daily routine like walking or sitting (mostly happens in sports injuries), patients are advised to consult an expert in hip flexor treatment as soon as possible. If you are living in and around Surat, you can contact Surat’s No.1 Hip Replacement Surgeon Dr. Chirag Patel for hip flexor treatment here @Call: +91 7574887777