

It can also cause weakness in the knees, hamstrings, and buttock muscles. Osteoarthritis in the hip can also cause weak hip flexors. This is because the muscle does not work as hard as if the person were standing. Staying seated for extended periods can cause weakness in the psoas muscle. Underuse of the hip muscles can cause the muscle to degenerate and become weak, which is known as muscle atrophy. Not partaking in regular physical activity can lead to weak hip flexors.

There are many different possible causes of weak hip flexors. Learn about exercises to treat bad posture here. Weak hip flexors can also cause the pelvis to tilt, which can affect posture and cause lower back pain. PostureĪ person may experience lower back pain if they have a weak hip flexor, as the hip flexor is an important spinal stabilizer.Īccording to a recent article, weakness in the hip flexors can make it difficult for a person to maintain a straight posture. Scientists concluded that muscle strength does play a moderate role in improving gait. However, other factors in the study that led to better gait were lower pain levels and better quality of life. Participants in the study with the strongest hip abductors and hip flexors had a better gait than those with weaker muscles in that area. Weakness in the hip flexors can lead to a stiff knee gait.Ī 2016 study involving 47 people with severe hip arthritis revealed a correlation between hip flexor strength and gait. Stiff knee gait is when a person walks with limited knee flexion, or bend, in the knee. These muscles may overcompensate during walking, which might put excess strain on them and cause discomfort.Ī person may also find climbing stairs difficult as it may be hard to lift the leg. If this muscle is weak, a person may have to exert more energy and rely on other muscles - the rectus femoris muscle in the thigh and the hamstrings.

The psoas muscle is responsible for swinging the leg forward while walking. Learn more about the symptoms of hip flexor strain here. This is different from weak hip flexor muscles, although weakness can cause a strain to occur. Pain in the hip flexor area may be the result of a hip flexor strain. These symptoms occur because the joints try to compensate for weak hip flexors, which leads to them overworking. The symptoms of weak hip flexors can affect a range of different areas in the body. Share on Pinterest Kolostock/Getty Images
