A hip strain occurs when one of the muscles supporting the hip joint is stretched beyond its limit or torn. Strains may be mild, moderate, or severe, depending on the extent of the injury. A severe strain can limit your ability to move your hip. Anyone can experience a hip strain just doing everyday tasks, but strains most often occur during sports activities.
A hip strain can be an acute injury, meaning that it occurs suddenly, such as from a fall or a direct blow during contact sports. Hip strains are also caused by overuse when the muscle or tendon has slowly become weakened over time by repetitive movements.
A muscle strain causes pain and tenderness in the injured area. Other hip strain symptoms may include:
- Increased pain when you use the muscle
- Swelling
- Limited range of motion
- Muscle weakness
