Hip flexor strain?

Hi there,

I'm an 18 year old, male, distance runner. The front of my right hip has been sore the past couple of weeks. It was moderate, but I could work through it. Yesterday though, I ran a speed workout on the track, and after I was done, I could hardly walk! I went to the trainer afterwards and she diagnosed me with a hip flexor strain. I feel a sharp pain in the front of my hip that extends to the inside a little too. It's hard to pinpoint the exact area of pain though. Today, it still hurt to walk and move my leg around.

Has anyone else strained a hip flexor? What did it feel like, and how long did it take to recover? Or is it possible I have a different injury alltogether? So far, I've been icing several times a day, taking Ibuprofen, and resting.

What should I do?

Keep doing what you are doing. It took me about one and a half weeks to recover from my hip flexor strain. It felt like someone hit me with a baseball bat, and a pinch nerve at the same time. Don't run until you can lift your knee to your chest with any pain or very little pain; because you can make it worse.

I think you would be advised to see an orthopedic doctor b/c often times problems with the hip joint refer pain in the front of the hip and into the groin like you describe. If you do have an issue in the hip joint (like a stress fracture) then its important to address it sooner rather than later.

Runner Buddy your Licensed Athletic Trainer is right. Add stretching and when it settles down start with heat. Get with your trainer for specific stretches. The reason why it hurts worse is that is because you done the speed work a little too early. For now do: ice, heat, stretch, stationary bike and when pain free start jogging and slowly work up to sprinting. Also when your able start light hip flexor strengthening (get with your trainer); Ibuprofen is a good idea.