Function

The muscle iliopsaos acts as an antagonist of the abdominal muscles and buttock muscles and is the strong flexor in the hip joint. It is responsible for raising the upper body in the supine position (throw-in in soccer). The M. iliopsos is the most important muscle in running, walking and jumping, bringing the leg forward, up and out.

If this muscle fails, the thigh-band tensioner, the straight thigh muscle and the tailor muscle must take over the function of flexion in the hip joint. Particularly in older people, this muscle atrophies. The consequences are often difficult stair climbing and problems when walking.

Iliopsoas Syndrome

The disease known as “M. iliopsoas syndrome” is based both on a shortening of the actual muscle and on an inflammation of the bursa located under the iliopsoas tendon. If the shortened muscle parts are stretched strongly, the muscle fibers or the tendon may tear. The most common causes of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome include repetitive, powerful movements of the hip joint.

Even short, reflex-like patterns of movement can cause the Iliopsoas muscle to tear. Chronic irritation of the muscle fibers or bursa can also lead to M. Iliopsoas Syndrome. Another cause of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome is the blockage of the vertebral bodies between the 12th thoracic vertebra and the 2nd lumbar vertebra.

The impairment of the vertebral bodies can provoke a reflex-like shortening of the M. Iliopsoas and trigger M. Iliopsoas Syndrome. Athletes (especially footballers and dancers) and track and field athletes are particularly frequently affected. The classic symptoms of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome are The typical pain of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome is mainly felt when lifting the knee and bending the hip.

Treatment of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome is primarily based on symptomatic treatment strategies. Anti-inflammatory painkillers are used to relieve the pain. In particular, the use of ibuprofen-containing painkillers has proven to be effective in the treatment of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome.

The active ingredient paracetamol, on the other hand, is less helpful in the treatment of this disease. The reason for this is the fact that paracetamol has an analgesic effect but no anti-inflammatory effect.During acute pain, cold compresses help to relieve the discomfort caused by M. Iliopsoas Syndrome. During active cooling, however, care should be taken to ensure that the coolant is never placed on the bare skin surface.

This could result in severe skin reactions and chills. After the most severe complaints have been alleviated by intensive pain therapy, a follow-up treatment with movement training and special stretching exercises begins. In this way, the muscles can be specifically strengthened and a new outbreak of disease can be prevented.

The rehabilitation period after the first symptoms of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome appear is approximately 6 to 8 weeks, depending on the extent of the disease. Since the causes of M. Iliopsoas Syndrome are mostly due to overloading or incorrectly executed movements, this disease can be prevented by targeted, intensive warm-up training. Especially the extensive stretching of the M. Iliopsoas plays a decisive role in prevention.

Athletes should also make sure to interrupt intensive training sessions with rest breaks from time to time. The training should generally be well dosed. Regular moderate exercise is preferable to phases of overloading.

A quick and targeted therapy can easily help to control the symptoms caused by M. Iliopsoas Syndrome. After completion of the treatment, the affected persons are usually able to put full weight on the muscle again. However, people who have already suffered from M. Iliopsoas Syndrome tend to develop further painful episodes.

For this reason, regular implementation of preventive measures is all the more important.

Pain in the area of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine
Pain in the lower abdomen (in the area of the appendix) and an increased immune system tension
Pain in the hip region
Pain in the area of the thigh
Sudden, stabbing pain
Partially severe movement restriction of the hip joint.

Incorrect and/or overloading of the M. Iliopsoas or its tendon can result in pain of various types, localization and severity. Pain in the lower back, for example, does not necessarily have to originate from the back extensors or buttock muscles.

Irregularities of the M. Iliopsoas can also provoke such pain. The reason for this is the fact that the individual fiber bundles of the Iliopsoas muscle originate in the area of the lower thoracic and lumbar spine. For this reason, both a chronic shortening of the muscle and the presence of inflammatory processes in its bursa can lead to pain in the lower back.

Patients suffering from diseases of the M. Iliopsoas (for example, the so-called Iliopsoas Syndrome) often describe pain that is only localized in the lumbar region. Diagnostically, it is extremely important to ask the patient whether the pain occurs more when bending over or when standing up. Pain that is mainly felt during prevention usually indicates a problem in the area of the back extensor and gluteal muscles.

Pain that is mainly felt during straightening, on the other hand, points to a disease of the M. Iliopsoas. In addition, most patients with a pronounced problem in the area of the M. Iliopsoas are unable to fully lie on their thighs in the supine position. Even in a standing patient with back pain, M. Iliopsoas disease can be seen quite easily.

The walking and standing patient with a shortened muscle usually tends to bend the whole body or the hip joint forward. The presence of a pronounced hollow back can also be a first indication of the so-called iliopsoas syndrome in case of corresponding pain. In addition, affected patients often complain of pain in the lower abdominal area.

The exact localization of pain corresponds approximately to the area that hurts when the appendix is inflamed. Triggered by the sometimes severe pain in the presence of the iliopsoas syndrome, the affected patients show a significantly increased defense tension of the abdominal wall during the physical examination. While the pain increases over a longer period of time in simple M. iliopsoas tendonitis, the symptoms occur suddenly in the presence of classic iliopsoas syndrome.

The quality of the pain is described by the majority of patients as stabbing and/or pulling. Complaints of the iliopsoas muscle usually require medical clarification. The first goal of treatment is to relieve the pain.For this purpose, simple painkillers and drugs with anti-inflammatory properties can be used.

The active ingredient ibuprofen in particular is particularly suitable for treating diseases of the M. iliopsoas. The reason for this is the fact that this active ingredient has both pain-relieving and anti-inflammatory properties. In addition, physiotherapy exercises can help to prevent the occurrence of pain caused by the iliopsoas muscle.