On the back of the thigh are the hamstring muscles, which have origins at the back of the ilium as well as on the back of the thigh bone. The hamstrings attach to the lower leg bone and bend the knee joint. They also assist in extending the hip. They aren't designed to be the primary hip extensor though, so they don't control the femur head very well. This becomes significant in the presence of weak gluteals (gluteus maximus and gluteus medius). When the gluteals are weak, the hamstrings will pick up the slack; this contributes to improper femoral head tracking in the hip socket and, consequently, hip or pelvic pain.
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Important: This content reflects information from various individuals and organizations and may offer alternative or opposing points of view. It should not be used for medical advice, diagnosis or treatment. As always, you should consult with your healthcare provider about your specific health needs.