Hip flexors are the muscles in your hips that allow you to bend at the waist and raise your knees toward your chest.
If You Have a Hip Flexor Strain
Athletes who routinely use their hip flexor muscles and tendons, such as cyclists, soccer players, dancers and martial artists, are more susceptible to these types of muscle tears.
Like many other types of muscle injuries, hip flexor strains are classified and subsequently treated based on the severity of the tear. Grade 1 tears only impact a few fibers and will heal on their own after the muscles have been rested. Grades 2 and 3 involve a higher degree of damage, pain and swelling, causing a loss of motion and sometimes a limp when walking.
Hip Flexor Strain Treatment at Inspira
Resting and applying ice to the affected area, decreasing physical activity and taking over-the-counter pain relievers as needed can all help reduce the pain and swelling associated with most grade 1 and grade 2 hip flexor strains.
If more severe damage has been sustained, your health care provider may recommend physical therapy. In rare cases, you may need surgery to repair the ruptured muscle and/or tendons.