The sharp pain felt when lifting the leg to put on pants is a common complaint indicating a mechanical issue in the hip joint or surrounding soft tissues. This movement involves hip flexion, external rotation, and abduction, stressing structures at the front of the hip. The sudden, sharp pain often signals that a soft tissue or bony structure is being pinched or strained. Understanding the underlying cause is important, as this specific motion serves as a diagnostic test for several hip conditions.
Common Causes of Pain During Hip Flexion
One frequent mechanical source of this specific pain is Femoroacetabular Impingement (FAI), or hip impingement. This condition occurs when the ball and socket of the hip joint do not fit together perfectly due to extra bone growth, known as Cam or Pincer lesions. When the hip moves into deep flexion, this abnormal contact causes the bone to pinch soft tissues, resulting in sharp, often groin-related pain.
The grinding motion caused by FAI often leads to a secondary injury known as a labral tear. The labrum is a ring of cartilage that lines the hip socket, acting as a shock absorber and seal for the joint. Damage to this tissue produces sharp, deep pain in the groin, sometimes accompanied by a catching, clicking, or locking sensation during movement.
Pain in the front of the hip or groin may also be due to Iliopsoas Tendinitis or strain. The iliopsoas is the primary hip flexor muscle, and its tendon runs over the front of the joint. When this tendon or its associated bursa becomes inflamed from overuse, lifting the leg causes the tendon to stretch and contract painfully. This pain is aggravated by strong, active hip flexion movements, such as the effort required to lift the leg.
A generalized cause of stiffness and reduced mobility is early-stage Osteoarthritis. While this condition causes pain from cartilage breakdown, the resulting limited range of motion and joint stiffness make the combined motion of flexion and rotation difficult. The hip joint requires approximately 120 degrees of flexion to complete the dressing movement comfortably, and any condition limiting this range causes noticeable discomfort.
Techniques for Immediate Relief and Daily Movement Modification
While awaiting a formal diagnosis, modifying the daily dressing routine can significantly reduce pain and prevent further aggravation. The most effective modification is to put on pants and socks while seated, which eliminates the need to balance on one leg and reduces the extreme degree of hip flexion required. Assistive devices, such as a sock aid or a long-handled reacher, can also help manage dressing without forcing the hip into painful positions.
Temporarily avoiding activities that force the hip into deep flexion will help calm irritated structures. This includes minimizing the crossing of legs, avoiding deep squats, and reducing the use of high steps or long strides. The goal is to reduce repetitive stress on the joint and soft tissues until the underlying inflammation subsides.
For immediate, short-term relief, applying cold therapy to the front of the hip can help manage acute inflammation and pain. Applying an ice pack for 10 to 15 minutes at a time, especially after a painful activity, can be beneficial. Over-the-counter nonsteroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) can also temporarily reduce pain and swelling, but these are not a substitute for medical evaluation.
When to Seek Medical Evaluation and Long-Term Treatment
A medical evaluation is necessary to accurately identify the source of the pain, especially if symptoms persist or worsen after a few weeks of activity modification. The diagnostic process begins with a physical examination, where a doctor performs specific movements, such as the Flexion, Abduction, and External Rotation (FABER) test, to reproduce the pain and pinpoint the issue.
Diagnostic Tools
Imaging tests are used to confirm the diagnosis, starting with X-rays to assess the bone structure for FAI or signs of osteoarthritis. If a soft tissue injury like a labral tear or severe tendinitis is suspected, a Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) scan is often used to visualize the cartilage and tendons.
The primary long-term non-surgical solution is often a focused physical therapy program. A therapist designs exercises to strengthen the muscles that support the hip, particularly the glutes and core. Strengthening these surrounding muscles improves muscle balance, stabilizes the hip, and alleviates symptoms related to impingement and tendinitis.
If pain is severe or conservative treatments fail, medical and surgical interventions may be considered. Corticosteroid injections can be administered directly into the joint or around the inflamed tendon to provide temporary relief and confirm the source of the pain. For mechanical issues like FAI that do not respond to physical therapy, hip arthroscopy is a minimally invasive surgical option. During this procedure, a surgeon can reshape abnormal bone growth (osteochondroplasty) and repair associated labral tears to restore normal joint mechanics.