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Sports Hip and Thigh Injury
New Patient Appointment or 214-645-8300
Nationally Ranked in Orthopedics – #1 in DFW
UT Southwestern Medical Center is ranked the No. 1 hospital for orthopedic care in Dallas-Fort Worth and among the best nationally by U.S. News & World Report.
Sports that are hard on the hip joints, tendons, and muscles in the upper leg – such as soccer, football, basketball, baseball, hockey, and cheerleading – increase the risk of hip and thigh injuries.
UT Southwestern Medical Center’s skilled orthopedics and sports medicine team takes a multidisciplinary approach to evaluating and treating thigh and hip injuries in sports. We’re experienced at helping athletes return to sports at a competitive level, as quickly and safely as possible.
What Are Sports Hip and Thigh Injuries and Conditions?
Sports injuries to the hip and thigh involve damage or irritation to structures in and around the hip joint and upper leg. These injuries often result from overuse, sudden force, or repetitive motion during athletic activity.
They tend to occur in younger athletes – from adolescents to young adults – more frequently than older ones.
What Are the Types of Sports Hip and Thigh Injuries and Conditions?
Common hip and thigh injuries in sports include a wide range of muscle, tendon, and joint conditions, such as:
- Muscle strains in the hamstring or thigh
- Hip bursitis, inflammation of fluid-filled sacs near the joint
- Hip impingement (femoroacetabular impingement), abnormal hip bone shape that causes joint friction
- Hip labral tear, involving tissue that lines the hip socket
- Hip strain, including hip flexor injury
- Hip stress fracture, small cracks in the hip or thigh bone from repetitive stress
- Snapping hip syndrome, in which a snapping or popping sensation is felt or heard during hip movement
Why Choose UT Southwestern for Sports Hip Injury Treatment and Thigh Injury Treatment?
UT Southwestern Orthopedic Surgery and Sports Medicine is leading the way in sports hip injury treatment and thigh muscle injury treatment. As part of a leading academic medical center that’s nationally recognized for excellence, we’re innovating how to help athletes remain healthy and competitive for as long as possible.
Our patients benefit from:
- Care led by orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists skilled in the unique level of care that athletes need
- Our experience in serving as team doctors for high school, college, and professional athletes in North Texas
- Personalized care plans that emphasize nonsurgical treatment, with surgery considered only when appropriate
- Leading-edge surgical treatments, when needed
- Board-certified orthopedic surgeons and sports medicine specialists with advanced expertise in treating the full spectrum of hip and thigh conditions
- Advanced imaging and diagnostic technology to accurately evaluate hip and thigh injuries and guide care decisions
What Are the Symptoms of Sports Hip Injury and Thigh Injury?
Symptoms vary depending on the injury and its severity. They may include:
- Pain in the hip, groin, or thigh
- Stiffness or limited range of motion
- Swelling or tenderness
- Weakness in the affected leg
- Pain that worsens with activity
- Limping or difficulty bearing weight
What Causes Sports Hip and Thigh Injuries and Conditions?
These injuries often occur due to stress placed on the hip and thigh during sports or exercise, including:
- Sudden movements, such as sprinting or jumping
- Overuse without adequate rest
- Poor flexibility or muscle imbalance
- Direct contact or collision
- Improper training techniques or equipment
How Are Sports Hip and Thigh Injuries and Conditions Diagnosed?
Diagnosis typically begins with a physical exam and a review of symptoms and activity history. Imaging tests may be used to confirm the diagnosis, such as:
- X-rays to evaluate bones and joint alignment
- MRI to assess muscles, tendons, cartilage, and soft tissue
- Ultrasound to evaluate whether the pain is coming from inside the joint or from a muscle or tendon
- CT scans to assess bone in greater depth
What Kind of Care Does UT Southwestern Provide to Treat Sports Hip and Thigh Injuries?
We treat common and uncommon injuries, including thigh muscles, thigh bones, and thigh strains, with nonsurgical and surgical methods. Our doctors are skilled at determining when nonsurgical treatments will heal the injury and when surgery is the best course of treatment.
Nonsurgical Treatments
Our team can successfully treat many hip and thigh injuries and conditions without surgery. Some of the basic treatment options we offer include:
- Analgesics and anti-inflammatory medicines
- Manual therapy
- Rest and ice
- Therapy exercises
- Compression sleeves, braces, or assistive devices
For more advanced injuries, we also offer the following nonsurgical treatments:
- Hyaluronic acid injections: Injections of natural substances in the joints that provide cushioning
- Platelet-rich plasma (PRP) treatment: A super-concentrated compound made up of a patient’s own platelets that is injected at the injury site to jump-start the tissue-healing process
- Shock wave therapy: Use of high-energy sound waves that break up scar tissue and promote recovery
- Ultrasound-guided steroid injections
Surgery for Hip and Thigh Injuries and Conditions
Our surgeons are skilled in the latest surgical treatments for hip and thigh injuries and conditions, including minimally invasive arthroscopic surgery. UT Southwestern orthopedic surgeons are among a handful of doctors in North Texas with experience in arthroscopic hip surgery.
Surgical care that we offer includes:
- Minimally invasive arthroscopic hip surgery
- Cartilage restoration procedures
- Joint preservation and reconstruction
- Mini-open repair techniques
- Open surgical repair techniques
What Support Services for Sports Hip and Thigh Injuries and Conditions Does UT Southwestern Offer?
UT Southwestern provides a full range of supportive services to aid recovery, including:
- Physical therapy and rehabilitation programs
- Pain management services
- Education to support recovery and long-term joint health
- Sports performance and injury prevention guidance
What Clinical Trials Are Available for Sports Hip and Thigh Injuries and Conditions?
UT Southwestern offers access to clinical trials that evaluate new approaches to diagnosing and treating orthopedic and sports-related injuries. Some patients may be eligible to take part in clinical trials that explore new treatments or approaches.
Ask our doctors about current studies or search for clinical trials.
Related Conditions and Treatments
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