Hip Flexor Strain

The iliopsoas muscle is the strongest of the hip flexor muscles, sitting in front of the hip joint, arising from the lumbar spine and attaching into the lesser trochanter of the femur. It is occasionally injured acutely but more often than not it becomes tight and restricted over a period of time.

Iliopsoas problems are common in activities that involve excessive hip flexion, such as kicking sports, or in sprinting. It is often presented as a poorly localised ache, often deep in one side of the groin.

Tenderness upon palpation of the muscle will be present, and pain on the iliopsoas stretch (as pictured below, with added overpressure on the thigh), will also cause pain. Resisted hip flexion in this stretch position often confirms that the iliopsoas is the source of the pain, and is not referred from the lumbar spine or other surrounding structures.

Treatment of an iliopsoas strain involves avoiding aggravating activities, stretching of the muscle (as pictured below), and strengthening through resisted hip flexion exercises.

If you have been suffering with any of the symptoms above, please get in touch and we will be happy to assess and guide you through a treatment plan.