Home / Injury and surgery recovery
Hip braces: compression wraps, SI belts and prescribed abduction braces
We research products from makers' specs and health sources; we do not run hands-on tests. Links to Amazon may earn us a commission at no cost to you. How this works.
- Compression shorts for groin and hip strains. Best for: Hip flexor or groin strains during daily activity. See options on Amazon
- Adjustable hip spica compression wrap. Best for: Targeting pressure at the front of one hip. See options on Amazon
- Hip and thigh ice pack wrap. Best for: The first days after a strain. See options on Amazon
The three things sold as a hip brace
| Type | Typically used for | Who chooses it |
|---|---|---|
| Compression shorts or hip spica wrap | Hip flexor or groin strains | You, as part of home care |
| Sacroiliac (SI) belt | Pain around the back of the pelvis | You or a physiotherapist |
| Hip abduction brace | After a hip dislocation, often after a hip replacement | Your consultant and orthotist |
For the SI belt, see our SI joint belt guide. For prescribed braces, see hip replacement brace. The rest of this page focuses on over-the-counter compression for strains.
Compression for a hip flexor strain
Cleveland Clinic lists compression as part of the RICE approach for a hip flexor strain: wrap a compression bandage around the hip, or wear compression shorts or pants. It pairs this with rest, ice and raising the hips and legs above heart level on pillows.
Cleveland Clinic says most people feel better in about one to two weeks, depending on severity, and advises avoiding running and intense exercise until the muscle has recovered, as re-injury is more likely before then. A compression garment supports that home care. It does not replace rest.
- Compression shorts are easy to wear all day under clothes and put even pressure over the hip and upper thigh.
- Hip spica wraps loop around the thigh and waist, so you can aim the pressure at the front of the hip.
Prescribed hip abduction braces are different
The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital explains that a hip abduction brace is usually prescribed after a hip dislocation. It limits excessive hip bending and holds the leg away from the body, the position where the hip is least likely to dislocate again. It is worn as your consultant directs and fastened the way your orthotist shows you.
This page does not suggest buying one of these without a prescription. If you have had a hip replacement and feel your hip is unstable, contact your surgical team.
Getting the fit right
- Size by the maker's chart, usually waist or thigh measurement.
- Firm, not numbing. Loosen it if your leg tingles, goes numb or changes colour.
- Skin check. Look for rubbing where straps cross the groin or waist.
- Ice separately. Cleveland Clinic suggests a cold pack for 10 to 15 minutes every hour on the first day, then every three to four hours, wrapped in a towel.
When a brace is the wrong answer
The NHS lists hip pain causes that need care rather than a brace. Call 999 or go to A&E for severe hip pain after a fall or injury, being unable to walk or put weight on the leg, or tingling or numbness after an injury, which may point to a fracture. Get an urgent GP appointment or call NHS 111 for sudden severe pain without an injury, a swollen, warm hip, or hip pain with fever or chills, which can be a sign of joint infection.
See a GP if pain has not improved after about two weeks of home treatment, keeps returning, disturbs sleep, or comes with morning stiffness lasting more than 30 minutes.
What to look for when you buy
Compression shorts for groin and hip strains
Best for: Hip flexor or groin strains during daily activity
Cleveland Clinic names compression shorts or pants as an option for the compression step of RICE after a hip flexor strain.
Watch out: Not a reason to return to sport early; Cleveland Clinic advises waiting until the strain has recovered.
See options on AmazonAdjustable hip spica compression wrap
Best for: Targeting pressure at the front of one hip
A wrap that loops from the thigh around the waist lets you aim compression at the hip flexor, similar to the compression bandage Cleveland Clinic describes.
Watch out: Loosen it if your leg tingles or goes numb.
See options on AmazonHip and thigh ice pack wrap
Best for: The first days after a strain
Cleveland Clinic suggests a cold pack for 10 to 15 minutes every hour on day one, then every three to four hours. The NHS suggests up to 20 minutes every 2 to 3 hours for hip pain.
Watch out: Always keep a towel between the pack and skin.
See options on AmazonQuestions people ask
- Do hip braces work?
- It depends on the type. Compression is a recognised part of home care for a hip flexor strain, according to Cleveland Clinic. Rigid abduction braces are medical devices prescribed after a hip dislocation.
- Should I wear a hip brace for arthritis?
- The NHS self-care advice for hip pain focuses on staying active, ice, pain relief, supportive shoes and gentle stretches rather than a brace. Ask your GP or physiotherapist if a support suits you.
- Can I buy a hip abduction brace without a prescription?
- They are sold online, but these braces are prescribed by a consultant after a dislocation and fitted as an orthotist shows you. Talk to your surgical team instead.
- How long does a hip flexor strain take to recover?
- Cleveland Clinic says most people feel better in about one to two weeks, depending on severity.
- When should I see a doctor about hip pain?
- The NHS says see a GP if it has not improved after about two weeks, and go to A&E for severe pain after a fall or being unable to bear weight.
Sources
- Hip pain in adults (nhs.uk), NHS
- Hip flexor strain (my.clevelandclinic.org), Cleveland Clinic
- Hip abduction braces (rjah.nhs.uk), The Robert Jones and Agnes Hunt Orthopaedic Hospital NHS Foundation Trust