Hip abductor muscles help lift the legs away from the body and stabilise the hip joints. Stress or overuse of weak abductors often lead to pain from tightness, strain and tears. These injuries pervade among pregnant women, elderly people, runners and other athletes.
Symptoms and Risks
Hip abductor pain sometimes manifests in localised areas of tight muscle called trigger points. Continually compromised movement worsens the injury and increases the risk for lower back pain and spinal disk damage.
Considerations
According to the Iowa Orthopaedic Journal, muscular hip pain can resemble sciatica, a condition of the sciatic nerve.
Prevention/Solution
Everyday habits to reduce stress on hip abductor muscles include standing with even weight distribution, avoiding crossing the legs while sitting, and putting a pillow between the knees while sleeping on the side. Athletes should avoid excessive increases in training intensity.
Treatment
Icing reduces inflammation, and a regimen of stretching and strengthening exercises decreases muscular imbalance. Muscle and tendon tears may require surgery.
Warning
If left untreated, hip abductor pain can become chronic. Seeing a medical professional is a good way to avoid this.