Iliopsoas Tendinitis and Iliopsoas Syndrome are conditions that affect the iliopsoas muscle located in the anterior (or front) region of the hip, causing hip pain.

What are iliopsoas tendinitis and iliopsoas syndrome?

Technically, they are two separate conditions, but it is not uncommon to hear the term iliopsoas tendinitis or iliopsoas syndrome to describe the same thing.

Iliopsoas tendinitis refers to inflammation of the iliopsoas muscle and can also affect the bursa located below the iliopsoas muscle tendon. While iliopsoas syndrome refers to a stretch, tear or complete rupture of the iliopsoas muscle and/or tendon.

Anatomy of the hip joint

The iliopsoas muscle is actually made up of two separate muscles located in the anterior (or front) part of the hip area.

The Iliacus and Psoas are responsible for lifting the upper leg toward the torso or flexing the torso toward the thigh (as in a squat).

Although the two muscles start at different points (the psoas originates from the spine, while the iliacus originates from the hipbone), they both end at the same point; the top of the femur. It is at this point; insertion, which causes most hip injuries and pain.

What causes iliopsoas tendonitis and iliopsoas syndrome?

Iliopsoas tendinitis is predominantly caused by repetitive hip flexion or overuse of the hip area, resulting in inflammation. Iliopsoas syndrome, on the other hand, is caused by a sudden contraction of the iliopsoas muscle, resulting in a rupture or tear of the muscle, usually at the point where the muscle and tendon connect.

Athletes at risk for hip pain include runners, jumpers, and participants in sports that require a lot of kicking. Also at risk are those who participate in strength training and weightlifting exercises that require a lot of bending and squatting.

Symptoms

Pain and tenderness are common symptoms of both conditions; however, the onset of hip pain associated with iliopsoas tendinitis is gradual and tends to build up over a long period of time, whereas the pain associated with iliopsoas syndrome is sudden and very sharp.

Treatment

Iliopsoas tendonitis and iliopsoas syndrome is a soft tissue injury to the iliopsoas muscle and therefore should be treated like any other soft tissue injury. Immediately after an injury, or at the onset of pain, the RICER regimen should be used. This involves Rit is, meEast, againstcompression, melifting, and Rreferral to an appropriate professional for an accurate diagnosis.

It is critical that the RICER regimen be implemented for at least the first 48 to 72 hours. Doing this will give you the best possible chance of a full and complete recovery.

The next phase of treatment (after the first 48 to 72 hours) involves a series of physical therapy techniques. The application of heat and massage is one of the most effective treatments to eliminate scar tissue and speed up the healing process of muscles and tendons.

Once most of the pain has been reduced, it’s time to move on to the rehabilitation phase of your treatment. The main objective of this phase is to recover the strength, power, endurance and flexibility of the injured muscles and tendons. Click here for a comprehensive and comprehensive article on the treatment of soft tissue injuries.

Prevention

There are a number of preventative techniques that will help prevent both iliopsoas tendonitis and iliopsoas syndrome, including modifying equipment or sitting positions, taking extended breaks, and even learning new routines for repetitive activities. However, there are four preventive measures that I believe are much more important and effective.

First: A thorough and correct warm-up will help prepare the muscles and tendons for any activity to come. Without a proper warm-up, your muscles and tendons will be tight and stiff. There will be limited blood flow to the hip area, resulting in a lack of oxygen and nutrients to the muscles. This is a sure recipe for a muscle or tendon injury.

Before any activity, be sure to fully warm up all muscles and tendons that will be used during your sport or activity. Click here for a detailed explanation of how, why and when to do your warm up

Second: Rest and recovery are extremely important; especially for athletes or people whose lifestyle involves strenuous physical activity. Be sure to let your muscles rest and recover after intense physical activity.

Third: Strengthening and conditioning the muscles in the hips, glutes, and lower back will also help prevent iliopsoas tendonitis and iliopsoas syndrome.

And a quarter: (and most importantly) flexible muscles and tendons are extremely important in preventing most strain or sprain injuries. When muscles and tendons are flexible and supple, they can move and function without becoming overloaded. However, if your muscles and tendons are tight and stiff, it’s very easy for those muscles and tendons to be pushed beyond their natural range of motion. When this happens, strains, sprains, and pulled muscles occur.

Stretching is one of the least used techniques to improve athletic performance, prevent sports-related hip pain, and properly rehabilitate sprain and strain injuries. Don’t make the mistake of thinking that something as simple as stretching won’t work.