sharp pain when kicking

[1229davey]

my son is a fit and very active athelete,plays football,rugby,basketball and runs competatively.recently he has been getting a sharp pain at the top of his right leg next to the lower abdomen when he kicks.he says its only when kicking,running is fine.any advice would be gratefully appreciated.oh and he is 14 years old

[Heidi]

Hi,

Sounds a lot like a problem with either the rectud femoris or iliopsoas tendon. These are both hip flexor muscles and so are used when we kick a ball.

Have a look here:

http://www.sportsinjuryclinic.net/cybertherapist/front/frontthigh/recfemrupinflam.htm

Treatment for this kind of injury involves rest, ice, massage, ultrasound, stretching until pain free and then strengthening of the muscles involved as well as some core strengthening.

I would advise seeing a physio or sports therapist, as this kind of injury can sometimes be troublesome to treat successfully. It is also important, if there was no incident which caused the injury, that he finds out why this has happened. Possibly a biomechanical problem, coming from his feet or hips. A full assessment at a physio or sports therapist would highlight this