Hip Flexor Strains - Dr. Burke Orthopedics

Hip Flexor Strains – Causes, Symptoms, and Advanced Treatment for Upper Leg Pain

Overview

Your hip flexors are a group of muscles located at the front of the hip and upper thigh that allow you to lift your leg, bend at the waist, and perform movements like running, climbing, or sitting. When these muscles are overstretched or torn, the injury is called a hip flexor strain.

Hip flexor strains are common among athletes and active individuals, but they can happen to anyone — even from everyday movements like getting out of a car or standing quickly. They can cause pain in the front of the upper leg, tightness near the hip crease, and difficulty walking or lifting the leg.

At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating hip flexor strains, helping patients across Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas recover safely and return to an active, pain-free lifestyle

What Is a Hip Flexor Strain?

The hip flexors include several key muscles that work together to move your leg toward your torso, including:

Iliopsoas (psoas major and iliacus) – the primary hip flexor
Rectus femoris – part of the quadriceps, assisting in hip flexion and knee extension
Sartorius – the longest muscle in the body, aiding in flexion and rotation

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

When one or more of these muscles or their connecting tendons are overstretched or torn, a strain occurs. Depending on the severity, muscle fibers may suffer small microtears (mild) or more significant damage (moderate to severe)..

Strains are classified as:

Grade 1: Mild overstretching or small microtears; minimal strength loss.
Grade 2: Partial tear with moderate pain and weakness.
Grade 3: Severe or complete rupture, often requiring surgical repair.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Common Causes and Risk Factors

Hip flexor strains often result from sudden forceful movements or overuse that exceeds the muscles’ natural range of motion.

Causes Include:

Sudden acceleration or deceleration: Sprinting, kicking, or jumping movements.
Overuse or fatigue: Repetitive hip movements without proper rest.
Poor posture: Sitting for extended periods causes hip flexor tightness, increasing injury risk when moving suddenly.
Improper warm-up or stretching: Tight muscles are more prone to injury.
Inadequate recovery: Returning to activity too soon after a previous strain.
Imbalance: Weak glutes or core muscles increase strain on the hip flexors.
Trauma: A sudden fall or direct blow to the front of the hip.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Risk Factors:

Participation in sports like soccer, running, cycling, or dance
Sedentary lifestyle with frequent sitting
Previous hip or thigh injuries
Muscle weakness or poor flexibility
Age-related muscle stiffness

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Symptoms

A hip flexor strain can range from mild discomfort to sharp, debilitating pain that limits movement.

Most common symptons include:

Sharp pain in the front of the hip or upper thigh
Tightness or pulling sensation when lifting the leg
Pain when walking, climbing stairs, or getting up from a seated position
Swelling, tenderness, or bruising near the hip crease
Pain that worsens with activity or sudden movement

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Severe cases may cause a visible bulge or indentation if the muscle fibers have torn significantly.

Diagnosis

At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, Dr. Robert L. Burke, a board-certified orthopedic surgeon, provides an expert evaluation to determine the location and severity of the strain.

Diagnostic steps include:

Medical history: Review of recent activities, exercise routines, or incidents leading up to the injury.
Physical examination: Assessing tenderness, swelling, flexibility, and range of motion.
Muscle strength testing: Identifying weakness during hip flexion.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Imaging tests:

Ultrasound: Detects soft-tissue inflammation or small tears.
X-rays: Rules out bone fractures or hip joint involvement.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

This detailed approach allows Dr. Burke to provide an accurate diagnosis and create a customized treatment plan.

Treatment Options at Dr. Burke Orthopedics

The primary goal of treatment is to reduce inflammation, restore flexibility, and strengthen the hip flexors for safe return to movement.

Non-Surgical Treatments

Rest and activity modification: Avoid running, jumping, or deep bending until pain subsides.
Cold therapy: Ice the area for 15–20 minutes several times a day to reduce swelling.
Anti-inflammatory medications: Relieve pain and control inflammation.
Gradual stretching and strengthening: Gentle yoga, dynamic stretches, and progressive loading once pain decreases.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Stretching and strengthening exercises:

Calf and plantar fascia stretches are essential.
Rolling a tennis ball under the arch can relieve tension.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Physical Therapy

Targeted exercises to stretch and strengthen the hip flexors, glutes, and core while improving posture and movement mechanics.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

PRP Therapy

Platelet-rich plasma injections stimulate natural healing in moderate or persistent strains.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Surgical Treatments

Surgery is rarely necessary but may be required for severe or complete tears.
Dr. Burke may recommend:

Tendon Repair or Reattachment: Restores function when the tendon has detached
Arthroscopic Evaluation: Minimally invasive procedure to assess and treat associated damage.

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Recovery and Rehabilitation

Recovery time depends on the severity of the strain and the individual’s response to treatment.

Typical recovery timelines:

Grade 1: 2–3 weeks
Grade 2: 4–8 weeks
Grade 3: 3–6 months (including surgical recovery)

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Rehabilitation goals:

Relieve pain and restore full flexibility
Strengthen hip flexors, glutes, and core for better stability
Improve posture and gait alignment
Prevent future strains through education and proper conditioning
Gradually return to normal movement and sport

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, physical therapy plays a central role in recovery. Each rehabilitation plan is personalized to help patients heal fully and avoid future strain

Long-Term Outlook and Prevention

With early intervention and consistent therapy, most patients recover completely from hip flexor strains. However, improper recovery or premature return to activity can lead to chronic tightness or recurring pain

Prevention tips:

Warm up and stretch before physical activity
Strengthen supporting muscles — glutes, quads, and core
Maintain flexibility with regular stretching and mobility exercises
Avoid prolonged sitting; stand and stretch frequently throughout the day
Allow adequate rest and recovery between workouts

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Taking proactive steps to strengthen and stretch the hip flexors can prevent re-injury and improve long-term joint health.

When to Seek Medical Care

You should seek orthopedic evaluation if:

Pain persists for more than a few days despite rest
You experience difficulty walking or lifting your leg
Pain persists for more than a few days despite rest You experience difficulty walking or lifting your leg You heard a “pop” during injury
You suspect a severe tear or complete loss of strength

Free medicine delivery
Enjoy many discounts in fees
Information for any disease

Prompt evaluation ensures proper healing and helps prevent chronic hip or upper leg issues.

Take the First Step Toward Recovery

If pain or tightness at the front of your upper leg is limiting your movement, early treatment can help you recover quickly and safely.
At Dr. Burke Orthopedics, we specialize in diagnosing and treating hip and thigh muscle injuries using advanced orthopedic care and personalized rehabilitation.

We proudly serve Pearland, Houston, Friendswood, and Southeast Texas, helping our patients restore strength, flexibility, and confidence.

Call (713) 436-3488 or Request an Appointment Online to schedule your consultation with Dr. Robert L. Burke, board-certified orthopedic surgeon specializing in sports injuries and muscle strains.

Medical Disclaimer:

The information provided on this page is for educational purposes only and is not intended as a substitute for professional medical advice, diagnosis, or treatment. Always seek the advice of your physician or qualified healthcare provider with any questions you may have regarding a medical condition or treatment. Do not disregard professional medical advice or delay seeking it because of information you have read here. If you are experiencing severe pain, numbness, or loss of function, please contact a medical professional immediately or visit your nearest emergency center.