How Do You Know If You Pulled Your Hip Flexor?

by | Last updated on January 24, 2024

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  1. Sharp pain in the hip or pelvis after trauma.
  2. Sudden hip pain.
  3. Upper leg feeling tender and sore.
  4. Muscle spasms.
  5. Swelling and bruising on the thighs or hip.
  6. Tightness and stiffness after long periods of rest.
  7. Cramping in the upper leg.
  8. Pain when lifting your leg to the chest.

What does a hip flexor strain feel like?


sudden, sharp pain in the hip or pelvis after trauma to the

area. a cramping or clenching sensation in the muscles of the upper leg area. the upper leg feeling tender and sore. loss of strength in the front of the groin along with a tugging sensation.

How long does it take for a strained hip flexor to heal?

Recovery time often depends on the severity of the injury. Mild strains may take a few weeks to heal while severe strains, on the other hand, can take

up to six weeks or more

to recover fully. Failing to rest appropriately typically results in greater pain and worsening of the injury.

How do you test for hip flexor strain?

  1. Active range of motion testing.
  2. Passive range of motion testing.
  3. Thomas test.
  4. Magnetic Resonance Imaging.

Where is hip flexor pain felt?

Hip flexor pain is usually felt in

the upper groin region, where the thigh meets the pelvis

. To avoid hip flexor pain, you should pay more attention to these muscles, Dr. Siegrist explains. When you are seated, your knees are bent and your hip muscles are flexed and often tighten up or become shortened.

How long does a Grade 1 hip flexor strain take to heal?

Depending on the severity of the injury, it may take

1-6 weeks

for a hip flexor injury to heal. Minor injuries typically require 1-3 weeks of recovery time, while more severe muscle tears can take 4-6 weeks or longer.

Can I walk with a hip flexor strain?

Grade 2: There is a potential for a loss of function to the hip flexor due to a moderate amount of damaged muscle fibers. Grade 3: The muscle fibers are completely torn, and

you can’t walk without a limp

.

How do you sleep with a hip flexor strain?

  1. Change your sleeping position. Keep experimenting to find the most pain-reducing position.
  2. Place wedge-shaped pillows under your hip to provide cushioning. …
  3. Sleep with a pillow between your knees to reduce stress across your hips.
  4. Put one or more pillows under your knees.

Should I stretch a strained hip flexor?

Since the hip flexors are so easy to overuse and strain, it is

important to stretch them before exercise or strenuous activity

. Because of their connectedness to other muscle groups in the legs (like the quadriceps), it is important to stretch the muscle group as a whole, not individually.

Is it OK to run with hip flexor pain?

Rest. Initially it is typically best to rest including stopping all running activity for a period of time and tapering down from your regular exercise activity and any activity that worsens your symptoms. You

should not return to running until you can be pain-free throughout the day

.

How do I know if my hip pain is serious?

  1. A joint that appears deformed.
  2. Inability to move your leg or hip.
  3. Inability to bear weight on the affected leg.
  4. Intense pain.
  5. Sudden swelling.
  6. Any signs of infection (fever, chills, redness)

Is walking good for tight hip flexors?

‘ Unilateral exercises such as step-ups and single-leg toe touches are particularly effective at strengthening the glutes, while walking lunges, lateral lunges, air squats and jump squats will zero in on all the muscles surrounding the hips.

Why do I have hip flexor pain?

Hip flexor strains and injuries are often caused by “over doing it” (such as exercising) or

periods of prolonged sitting combined with weak hip muscles

. While hip flexor strains are typically not serious, they can be quite painful and severely limit your activity and mobility.

Will my hip flexor ever heal?

A mild strain can take a few weeks to heal. But a

severe strain can take six weeks or more to heal

, according to Summit Medical Group. Failing to rest and recover a hip flexor strain usually only results in a worse injury and greater pain at a later time.

What exercises can I do with a hip flexor injury?

  • Seated butterfly stretch. Sitting up straight on the floor, place the soles of the feet together letting the knees bend outwards. …
  • Pigeon pose. …
  • Bridge pose. …
  • Lunges. …
  • Wall psaos hold. …
  • Skater squats. …
  • Straight leg raises. …
  • Hip flexion.

Does hip flexor strain show on MRI?

Injuries to hip flexors are

diagnosed with a basic exam

. However, your physician may request additional diagnostic tests to rule out other conditions. These tests may include a x-ray, MRI, Ultrasound, or a CT Scan.

James Park
Author
James Park
Dr. James Park is a medical doctor and health expert with a focus on disease prevention and wellness. He has written several publications on nutrition and fitness, and has been featured in various health magazines. Dr. Park's evidence-based approach to health will help you make informed decisions about your well-being.