Common Hip Flexor Injuries And How Physio Can Help

In the realm of mobility, flexibility, performance and life, the hip flexors emerge as a silent yet essential player in our daily movements. Often overlooked until discomfort arises, this group of muscles takes center stage in our exploration of hip flexor injuries. We’re going to delve into the origins of these injuries, deciphering their causes, symptoms, and the vital role that physiotherapy assumes in the recovery process.

What Is The Hip Flexor, Its Location And Role In Movement?

Nestled within the pelvic region at the front of the hip, the hip flexor constitutes not a solitary muscle, but a group of 7 muscles responsible for flexing the hip joint –

• Psoas major
• Iliacus
• TFL
• Rectus femoris
• Sartorius
• Adductor longus, and
• Brevis and pectineus.

This collective effort enables us to raise our knees to our chest, perform other lower limb movements and even execute waist-bending motions, through their action to stabilise our lower back. Among this group, the primary hip flexors are the psoas and iliacus muscles. Be it walking, running, sports or even sitting, the hip flexor group actively orchestrates these motions.

What Are Some Common Hip Flexor Injuries?

Despite their crucial function, the hip flexors remain susceptible to injuries, stemming from an array of causes such as overexertion, sudden movements, or inadequate warm-ups. Some of the most common hip flexor injuries include:

1. Hip Flexor Strain – a consequence of the muscles or tendons within the hip flexor group being stretched or torn due to excessive force being applied, and an inability to resist this force.

    

2. Hip Flexor Tendonitis –  another common diagnosis — a condition wherein the tendons binding muscles to bones become inflamed, a response to repetitive strain.

What Does Hip Flexor Pain Feel Like?

Common symptoms of hip flexor strains can include:

• Tightness or pain in the vicinity of the front of the hip and groin region.
• Pain or soreness in the lower back, or further into the thigh. These sensations can be sharp or dull, and sometimes can change, and are more pronounced when trying to lift the knee or engage in movements activating the hip flexors (like running, squatting, or lunging).
• Feelings of rigidity or restricted range of motion within the hip joint, or even a feeling that your hip joint is ‘stuck’ often accompanied by soreness/hesitancy during activities involving hip flexion.

How Does Physio Help In Treating Hip Flexor Injuries And Promoting Recovery?

The role of your physiotherapist is vital in diagnosing, treating and rehabilitating hip flexor injuries. By taking a comprehensive history and physical assessment, including functional evaluation, a physiotherapist can identify, treat, and tailor a comprehensive rehabilitation program to your unique pain and issue.

Treatment modalities can vary depending on a number of factors including symptoms experienced, which structures may be effected, and what your goals are. These modalities include, but are not limited to – manual therapy (soft tissue massage) and dry needling.

Furthermore, a customised treatment plan is often designed as this is integral to facilitate a return to performance/life. A typical rehab plan involves stretches early on, and progresses to strengthening and stabilising drills, to improve the capacity of the hip flexor group to perform their role, reducing the risk of recurrence.

In Conclusion

Hip flexor injuries have the potential to impede our daily lives, regardless of what we do, affecting both work and leisure. Yet, with a specific and calculated approach to treatment and rehabilitation, these issues can be managed and treated in an efficient and timely manner. By assessing the isolated and functional roles of the hip flexor group, rehabilitating effectively, and proactively seeking professional physiotherapy assistance when necessary, recovery and return to sport/play can be a breeze.

Whether contending with hip flexor strain symptoms, grappling with hip flexor tendonitis, or grappling with general hip flexor tightness symptoms, timely intervention and well-structured rehabilitation hold the key to restoring mobility and diminishing discomfort, ultimately paving the way for a return to an active, pain-free lifestyle.