Question - Recovery Time (hip flexor injury)

by rachele
(pennsylvania)

My 14 yr old son has a hip flexor injury. Not severe, but enough to cause him to limp after he runs hard. His doctor told him to rest for a few days before returning to football (running back). He had x ray's taken of his hip and they came out normal. The Dr. said that this is caused from overuse.

Should I keep him out of football for the season or let him return after a week. My son ran track in the spring and also had this hip problem. He is not very flexible, but oddly enough very athletic and a very fast runner. Do you have any suggestions?

This is becoming very frustrating. If he does not let this heal properly can it cause permanent damage? And could this affect his growth. Any help you can offer would be much appreciated.

Thank you

Rachele

Comments for
Question - Recovery Time (hip flexor injury)

Average Rating starstarstarstarstar

Click here to add your own comments

Aug 30, 2008
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Probably not permanent...
by: Bart - SII

It probably won't cause any permanent damage or affect his growth, but it can become a nagging recurring injury.

Rest for the first few days, and then lots and lots of extra stretching - hip flexors, hamstrings, hip rotators, calf, low back, etc. That will help reduce the stress on the muscles when he is running. There are lots of stretching exercises on this site, just check under the rehab section on the left of the screen.

Bart

Feb 26, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
hip flexor
by:

Hi my name is Kelley and i am 14 as well and i strained my hip flexor as well and I ran cross country winter track and spring starts next week i really want to run but it really hurts and Ive been resting it and no running for 2 weeks and went to the chiropractor got x rays and its not getting better when i walk i limp and now my lower back hurts i am just so frustrated i dont know why it wont heal nothing seems to do and i dont know what to do i really need it to get better so i was just wondering if your sons has gotten any better and what you did to heal it.

Feb 26, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Hip Flexor Injury
by: RACHE

Hi Kelley, My son is finally feeling better. It took about 8 weeks of rest and physical therapy. We went to a chiropractor for awhile also but his pain never went away. We finally went and saw a sports medicine doctor and he finally put us on the right track, however it does take some time for this injury to heal. It is truly fustrating! The physical therapy and tons and tons of stretching really helped him. He starts track next week and has been running for the past month and has had no pain. I suggest that you go see a sports doctor, let him do the tests he needs to do, chiropractors are good but for this kind of injury you need to see a sports doctor. Physical therapy truly helps!!!!

Mar 10, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
hip flexor
by: Kelley

Its Kelley thanks for the advice mine is feeling alot better and I think it is healed but im still not sure when to start running and i dont want it to go backwards again I just want it to heal completely I am suppose to see a sports doctor really soon I just really want to run and spring track already started for me its just so frustrating! And I am glad your son is feeling better.

Mar 10, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Kelley
by: Anonymous

Hi Kelley,
My sons track started 2 weeks ago and unfortunately the pain is starting to come back. He is a sprinter and he noticed that when he does not stretch enough, then runs full speed his hip will hurt. Like the Doc. said this can end up being one of those nagging reoccurring injuries UGGHHHHHH!!!!! I hope everything works out for you. Keep me posted.
Rachele

Apr 01, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
My own experience
by: Anonymous

Hi, my name is Rebecca and I am a 35 year old Mum. I started playing soccer a week ago, following about 22 years off :).

In our first game, I felt and heard an almighty crack in my right hip. It felt as though a band had snapped right over my hip joint.

I hobbled off the field, went home immediately and proceeded with Ice/heat pack therapy, provided by my husband.

The following morning, I was unable to put any preassure on my right leg and had to be carried to the bathroom...not at all pleasant.

My husband grabbed some cruthes for me and I was able to get around with these, but very slowly.

Anyway, what I wanted to share is that I am fortunate to have a business promoting the most potent source of Omega3s and Antioxidants available. I have been vey happy with this product but now had my chance to really put it to the test.

Within 3 days I was off crutches, still a little stiff. Now 6 days have passed and i am virtually pain free. I expect to be back on the field in a couple of weeks and will focus on stretching better in future. :)

If you'd like any furthe information on this product, you can contact me on rebecca@time4.com.au or visit www.mymoxxor.com/time4

I wish you both all the very best in your recovery...take care!

Apr 24, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
my hip flexor
by: ijcrunner

I have had a hip flexor injury for almost a full year now. I have tried stretching, icing, and exercises. Besides taking weeks at a time off. I did have xray and mri. Nothing showed up so it is probably not a torn labrum. It bugs me all the time. I cannot even walk without it hurting. I dont understand why nothing works.

Does any one know of a program that worked for them?

Jun 20, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
hip injury
by: Anonymous

hi, i also have a hip injury and i have an upcoming event in athletics o monday and a championship on wednesday for hurdles but when i seem to run flat out my hip seems to give, do you know what i can do to make better before monday because i also have to practise my relay. thank you reply before monday please.

Jun 20, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Try MOXXOR
by: Rebecca

I would highly reccommend that you give MOXXOR a try. I have been very impressed by the results so far. You can email me at rebecca@time4.com.au if you'd like any more information about this product.

I honestly believe that I would have taken a great deal longer to recover if I had not taken MOXXOR.

I look forward to hearing from you. Take care in your recovery.

Jun 25, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
FROM RACHELE
by: Anonymous

I really wish I could give you a fixall for this problem but unfortunately we have not found one. Every doctor we have been to has STRESSED that you need to stretch several times a day. And that you should also do weight training for that area to strengthen those muscles. I feel bad for you and I know how fustrating this can be. They also told us before a race (in this order) to jog first, then stretch, then after the race stretch again. Good lUCK!

Jul 21, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Rachel
by: Anonymous 1

Rachel, has your son gotten better? It could be a growth issue for him as the muscle growth does not keep pace with the rapid bone growth in adolescence (think traction). My son is a pre professional hockey player and has been having this issue for 2 years in the pre season.It is important to progress slowly and systematically when starting your sport in addition to stretching not just the hip flexors, but glutes and hamstrings as well.Kids will be kids however and no matter what I tell my son, he always manages to do too much to soon!

Jul 21, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
You may be right!
by: Rachele

Anonymous 1,
Thankyou for your comment. My son just had surgery on his wrist last week. He will be in a cast for 6-8 weeks so he will not be playing football this season. Football this year was going to be the test to see if his hip flexor has gotten any better. He made it through track (though at times very painful) and he also went through the baseball season but still had the pain. I do believe you are right though about them growing and the muscles can't keep up. Everything is tight. Since he wont be doing much lifting in the next 6-8 weeks this would be a good time to work his glutes and hamstrings. We will give it a try. I will post again in a few weeks to see if it helped.

Jul 21, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Thinking of you!
by: Anonymous

Hi Rachele, I am sorry to hear that your son has had surgery and I wish him a very speedy recovery. Fuel his body well and encourage him to rest. I strongly believe that our body can heal anything.
Thinking of you. Rebecca

Jul 23, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Rachel
by: Anonymous 1

Rachel Sorry to hear about your son's wrist.We make plans and God laughs! My son was misdiagnosed this spring with tendonitis in his foot resulting in weeks of lost training. An MRI diagnosed an occult ganglion cyst (benign) but very painful as they grow out of tendons and ligaments.He was allowed to train while waiting for a cortisone shot to dissolve the cyst and, of course,strained the hip flexor on that side!Now he has been off 3 weeks again-starting to get better,but 5 days after his cortisone shot, the pain in his foot has returned.He has lost a summer of training in his Draft year in addition to missing U18 Team Canada.He is leaving mid August and we don't know how he will fare this season and won't be there to support him.It is very painful to go through these injury cycles with our sons.Your son may well improve as he grows and gets into a weight training program. It is helpful to have only 1 person guiding him from rehab to training to sport so that he approaches his season systematially. I think there is somewhat more difficulty in a 2 or 3 sport athlete as you have only a short time to prepare for that season's sport and the movements may be different enough to cause problems for a subseptible child (just a thought).At least your son does not have a LOWER body injury- we grasp at straws!

Jul 31, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Anonymous 1 & Rebecca
by: Rachele

Thankyou both for your well wishes for my son. He had a very rare fracture in his wrist, so rare that when the surgery was performed other doctors sat in to watch and learn how to repair this kind of fracture (he was a case study). My son laughs, he always says if your going to do something give it a 100% or don't do it at all. I told him thats a good attitude but when it comes to breaking bones and getting hurt it's ok to just give it 1% haha. I am sorry to hear about your sons foot. I hope the shots work for him. It drives me crazy and im sure you feel the same way we sit and watch our kids train hard and bust their butts to get ready for the season and then it seems like it never fails something happens! Then you see other kids who never get injured or have problems. According to my father though the kids who don't have any problems normally aren't working as hard as our kids do. I sometimes think it's God's way of saying "pick another sport". None the less it is so fustrating! I hope everything works out for your son please tell him we are pulling for him! Hopefully the next time we talk EVERYONE IS HEALTHY AND RATED TOP 10 IN THE COUNTRY FOR DRAFT PICKS! GOOD LUCK

Jul 31, 2009
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Hi from Rebecca
by: Anonymous

Nice to hear from you Rachelle and I trust that your son is now recovering well. I believe that if we fuel our body's properly, they can heal anything. I wish him all the best in selections once he is better.

Please keep MOXXOR in mind as an ongoing support for his body. Many athletes are starting to use this fantastic product and we are hearing great things.

I acces many great people who share great information on health and would be only too happy to share some more information if you would like.

Here's to great health and speedy recoveries :).

Chat soon. Beck

Jan 04, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Hip Flexor in Soccer
by: John

Hi my name is John. Whenever I take a shot or pass the ball in soccer my right hip flexor hurts a lot. When I'm just just standing around or even jogging it is fine. I tried wrapping it but it still hurts when I shoot and I don't have nearly as much mobility as I used to before the injury. Can anyone help me out?

Feb 23, 2010
Rating
starstarstar
HELP!
by: Anonymous

john i have been having the exact same issue and i had tryouts yesterday today and tomorrow and i cant because of this have u found anything>?

Feb 24, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Why are you still looking? Try MOXXOR...
by: Anonymous

Guys, I cannot suggest MOXXOR enough. It has been shown to greatly assist in athletic recovery and I would love to see people like you put it to the test. Please email me so I can give you more information. rebecca@time4.com.au

Mar 08, 2010
Rating
starstarstarstarstar
Aging and Recovery.
by: Rumple

I am a 33y/o man who through my younger years, like I've seen on here, was very athletic and not very flexible. Hind sight being 20/20, I wish I had put more time into stretching and proper warm-up, when exercising on my own time.
All throughout my high school and college careers I had no problems with joints and injuries. I now get recurring injuries that can slow me down for days.
When I sprain an ankle, unlike most people I don't get off of the injured joint. I will stop playing basketball(or whatever it was I was playing) and stretch the joint. For ankles I would stand on the injured ankle while leaning facing a wall. Bending the knee and flexing the ankle in every which direction for 30 min. Maybe longer. One time I even went back into the game after about an hour exercising caution for the ankle. The next day, it didn't even hurt. I had full range of motion and no limp. I was 25 at this time.
Hip flexors are much different. Last fall I injured my hip flexor playing football. I stopped playing football for six months and it feels normal when walking even jogging or running. It is the cutting motion (stopping, turning and pulling the leg around my body in a circular motion)that I used in football that injured it.
I have been doing major stretching over the last 6mos. and minor strength training in the last 2mos. It is getting better. I have heard from other in the field that it isn't weeks that you need to be out of the sport that caused it, but months. Weeks of rest will only result in being injured a short while later.
I am not an expert, I speak of only my own experience. As a rule of thumb that I use to prevent re-injury, how ever long it(whatever ailment) took to feel good, I wait twice as long. To prevent chances of re-injury. Of course I didn't adopt that until I was in my 20's, but I wouldn't chance it if it were my kid at 14. Good luck,

The only thing as bad as a hip flexor injury is tendonitis, as far as length of recovery. My arm took 2 years, and that was just from arm wrestling 1 night.

Click here to add your own comments

Join in and write your own page! It's easy to do. How?
Simply click here to return to Sports Injury Answers - Hip/Back