The hip joint is a complex ball-and-socket joint that allows you to move your legs while providing stability to the pelvis. Various muscles, bones, ligaments, and tendons, including the hip flexors, make up the joint.
Many people overlook hip flexors, which are vital to overall hip health. At Alpha Orthopedics & Sports Medicine, Dr. Jon Thompson and Dr. Brian Snow offer treatments for hip pain, including robotic joint replacements and arthroscopy for severe arthritis.
The hip flexors are vital to hip movement. Several muscles aid in lifting the legs toward the chest. The hip flexors sit in the front of the upper thigh and are essential in hip and leg movement.
There are several muscles included in the hip flexors, and they include the following:
Each muscle moves the legs and hips. The rectus femoris allows you to flex the hip and extend the knee, while the iliacus and psoas major muscles provide stability to the hip and hold the torso and thighs together.
The sartorius muscle is long and assists in flexing and externally rotating the hip and knee.
The hip flexors are essential to hip health because they regulate stability and movement. Issues with these muscles can lead to various hip problems.
Tight or injured hip flexors strain various body parts from the hips to the spine. Issues with certain muscles within the hip flexors can lead to injuries that cause hip pain or other issues, like bursitis.
A major issue with poor hip flexor health is overcompensating by the hip, knee, and spine. When the hip joints overcompensate, the tissues work harder for stability, causing wear-and-tear. The result is osteoarthritis and possible injury to the cartilage.
Without treatment, the continued pressure on the joints leads to further pain, degeneration of the protective tissues, and mobility problems.
The hip flexors need movement to stay flexible and prevent pain and injuries. If you're having pain around the hip or thigh, it could be from damage to the hip flexors. Other signs of a problem with the hip flexors include:
Injuries and posture problems both lead to hip flexor issues. Most people feel the symptoms in the front of the leg where the hip and thighs meet.
You may also notice muscle tightness or pain when bending forward at the hip. Movement limitations are another aspect of hip flexor strains or injuries.
If you’re experiencing hip pain, doing everything you can to improve joint health is crucial. We evaluate your pain to determine if it's coming from your hip flexors or another issue, like arthritis.
You can manage pain from hip flexor strains at home, but it might also require professional treatment. Some of the tips we provide to improve hip flexor health include the following:
The hip flexors are muscles that often become tight from sitting too long or a sedentary lifestyle. Stretching them regularly prevents this, which leads to pain and potential injury. We recommend the knee-to-chest stretch, pigeon pose, and glute bridges.
Low-impact exercises are essential for strengthening the hip flexors and preventing hip injuries. Swimming, yoga, and strength exercises are great for these muscles. Lunges, squats, and straight leg raises are also great for strengthening hip flexors.
If you’re prone to hip flexor issues, we recommend lifestyle changes to avoid injury. Get moving and exercise regularly to prevent muscle tightening, and always warm up before physical activity.
Giving your body time to rest and cool down after a workout is also crucial. Ice and heat can ease muscle tension and pain in the hip flexors.
Call one of our McKinney and Prosper, Texas, offices for a hip pain consultation, or you may contact our team on our website to schedule an appointment with Dr. Thompson or Dr. Snow to discuss treatment options.
