Hip Flexor Strain

Written by Tele Demetrious

Updated:

(Also known as Hip Flexor Injury, Iliopsoas Strain, Psoas Strain, Hip Flexor Tear, Strained Iliopsoas Muscle, Torn Iliopsoas Muscle, Pulled Hip Flexor)

What is a hip flexor strain?

A hip flexor strain is an injury characterised by tearing of one or more of the hip flexor muscles and typically causes pain in the front of the hip or groin.

The group of muscles at the front of the hip are called the hip flexors. The hip flexors comprise of 3 major muscles:

The most commonly involved muscle in a hip flexor strain is the iliopsoas (figure 1). The iliopsoas muscle originates from the lower back and pelvis and inserts into the thigh bone (femur).

Anatomy of a Hip Flexor Strain
Figure 1 – Anatomy of a hip flexor strain (Iliopsoas)

The hip flexors are responsible for moving the knee towards the chest during activity (i.e. bending the hip) and are particularly active when sprinting or kicking. Whenever the hip flexors contract or are put under stretch, tension is placed through the hip flexor muscle fibres. When this tension is excessive due to too much repetition or high force, the hip flexor muscle fibres may tear. When this occurs, the condition is known as a hip flexor strain.

Tears to the hip flexor muscles can range from a small partial tear where there is minimal pain and minimal loss of function, to a complete rupture involving a sudden episode of severe pain and significant disability.

Hip flexor strains range from grade 1 to grade 3 and are classified as follows:

The majority of hip flexor strains are grade 2.


Causes of a hip flexor strain

Hip flexor strains most commonly occur due to a sudden contraction of the hip flexor muscles (particularly in a position of stretch). They often occur during sprinting or kicking activities. This is particularly so during explosive acceleration or when a footballer performs a long kick, particularly following an inadequate warm-up.

Occasionally, patients may develop this condition gradually due to repetitive or prolonged strain on the hip flexor muscles. This may occur due to repetitive kicking or sprinting excessively. Hip flexor strains are commonly seen in running and kicking sports such as football, soccer, dancing and martial arts.


Signs and symptoms of a hip flexor strain

Patients with this condition usually feel a sudden sharp pain or pulling sensation in the front of the hip or groin at the time of injury. In minor strains, pain may be minimal allowing continued activity. In more severe cases, patients may experience severe pain, muscle spasm, weakness and an inability to continue the activity. Patients with a severe hip flexor strain may also be unable to walk without limping.

Patients with this condition usually experience pain when lifting the knee towards the chest (especially against resistance) or during activities such as running, kicking or going upstairs. It is also common for patients to experience pain or stiffness after these activities with rest, especially upon waking in the morning. Swelling, tenderness and bruising may also be present in the hip flexor muscles. In cases of a grade 3 tear a visible and palpable deformity in the muscle may be evident.


Diagnosis of a hip flexor strain

A thorough subjective and objective examination from a physiotherapist is usually sufficient to diagnose a hip flexor strain. Further investigations such as an X-ray, Ultrasound, MRI or CT scan may be required to confirm diagnosis and exclude other pathology (such as a labral tear of the hip, femoro-acetabular impingement or hip osteoarthritis). In severe cases, particularly adolescents, an X-ray may be advisable to exclude the possibility of an avulsion fracture. Investigations are often not routinely indicated, unless:



Treatment for a hip flexor strain

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Prognosis of a hip flexor strain

With appropriate management, patients with a minor hip flexor strain can usually recover in one to three weeks. With larger tears, recovery may take four to eight weeks or longer depending on the severity. Complete ruptures of the hip flexor muscles are rare and are usually managed conservatively. In these cases, recovery may be significantly longer.


Contributing factors to the development of a hip flexor strain

There are several factors which can predispose patients to developing this condition. These need to be assessed and corrected with direction from a physiotherapist. Some of these factors include:


Physiotherapy for a hip flexor strain

Physiotherapy for patients with this condition is vital to hasten the healing process, ensure an optimal outcome and reduce the likelihood of recurrence. Treatment may comprise:



Other intervention for a hip flexor strain

Despite appropriate physiotherapy management, some patients with a hip flexor injury do not improve adequately. When this occurs, the treating physiotherapist or doctor can advise on the best course of management. This may include investigations such as an X-ray, ultrasound, CT scan or MRI, or referral to appropriate medical authorities who can advise on any intervention that may be appropriate to improve the condition.



Exercises for a hip flexor strain

The following exercises are commonly prescribed to patients with this condition. You should discuss the suitability of these exercises with your physiotherapist prior to beginning them. Generally, they should be performed 3 times daily and only provided they do not cause or increase symptoms.

Your physiotherapist can advise when it is appropriate to begin the initial exercises and eventually progress to the intermediate and advanced exercises. As a general rule, addition of exercises or progression to more advanced exercises should take place provided there is no increase in symptoms.


Initial Exercises

Hip Flexion

Slowly take your knee towards your chest as far as possible and comfortable without pain (figure 2). Repeat 10 times provided there is no increase in symptoms.

Hip flexion exercise for a hip flexor strain
Figure 2 – Hip Flexion

Hip Extension in Lying

Begin lying on your back, with your buttocks at the very edge of a bench or bed. Take your good knee towards your chest as far as possible, letting your injured leg drop down towards the floor (figure 3). Hold for 2 – 5 seconds at a mild to moderate stretch and repeat 10 times provided the exercise is pain free.

Hip Extension in Lying
Figure 3 – Hip Extension in Lying (right leg)

Intermediate Exercises

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Advanced Exercises

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Rehabilitation guide for a hip flexor strain

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Physiotherapy products for a hip flexor injury Physiotherapy products for a hip flexor strain

The most commonly recommended products by physiotherapists to hasten healing and speed recovery in patients with this condition include:

To purchase physiotherapy products for a hip flexor strain click on one of the above links or visit the PhysioAdvisor Shop.


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+ 7 References

PhysioAdvisor relies on credible scientific sources (ideally from high quality, randomised controlled trials, when available) to guide our content creation. Read about our sourcing guidelines and how we create trusted content via our editorial policy.

  1. Brukner et al (2012). Brukner & Khan’s clinical sports medicine (4th ed.), 565. Australia: McGraw Hill Education.
  2. Bui, K.L., Ilaslan, H., Recht, M. et al. (2008). Iliopsoas injury: an MRI study of patterns and prevalence correlated with clinical findings. Skeletal Radiology, 37(3): 245. https://doi.org/10.1007/s00256-007-0414-3
  3. Eckard TG et al. (2017). Epidemiology of Hip Flexor and Hip Adductor Strains in National Collegiate Athletic Association Athletes, 2009/2010-2014/2015.Am J Sports Med. 2017 Oct;45(12):2713-2722. https://doi.org/10.1177/0363546517716179.
  4. Understanding Hip Flexor Strain (2017) – healthline.com/health/hip-flexor-strain
  5. Hip flexor strain. (2014).  summitmedicalgroup.com/library/adult_health/sma_iliopsoas_tendonitis/
  6. Cadman, B. (2018). “All you need to know about hip flexor strain.” Medical News Today. Retrieved from medicalnewstoday.com/articles/320655.php.
  7. Hip pain in adults. (2016). nhs.uk/conditions/hip-pain/

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