Muscle inflammation
Another disease that can affect Sartorius disease is inflammation of the muscles (myositis). Muscle inflammation can be caused by various factors. On the one hand, bacteria or viruses can be the pathogens, but it can also be caused by a muscle injury.All forms of myositis in the affected muscle cause pain.
Other symptoms may include local warming, muscle weakness and a skin rash at the appropriate site. People over 50 years of age are particularly affected. Muscle inflammation caused by pathogens such as parasites and bacteria is more likely to occur near the tropics and is rather rare in Germany.
However, muscle inflammation can also occur in the context of an autoimmune disease. This is a situation in which the immune system is directed against the body’s own tissue. The diagnosis of this disease is difficult because each form of myositis has its own criteria for diagnosis.
On the one hand, some inflammatory parameters in the blood increase, which can be measured, and on the other hand, the increase in certain enzymes released by the inflamed muscle is an indication of such myositis. The treatment depends on the form, but is usually approached with a high-dose cortisone therapy. This relieves the pain and reduces swelling and redness. Another approach to pain relief is immunosuppressive drugs, which suppress the immune system and thus prevent the overreaction. Physiotherapy and occupational therapy are also often recommended.
Other possible diseases of the Sartorius muscle
Pain can occur at the tendon attachment of the Sartorius tendon on the shin bone (tibia) due to degenerative changes. This tendon attachment has a bursa (bursa anserina), which is supposed to protect the knee joint. Through constant overloading (for example, through jogging or other sports), it can happen that this bursa becomes inflamed.
This disease is also called Pes-anserinus syndrome or Pes-anserine-bursitis. It can manifest itself in pain, swelling and reduced function of all three muscles that attach to the Pes anserinus (besides the Sartorius muscle, the gracilis muscle and the semitendinosus muscle of the rear thigh). Possible therapy for such symptoms are cooling, sedation and, if necessary, painkillers.
Risk factors for this bursitis are overweight and a malposition in the knee joint (“knock-knees”). If this is not detected or if the therapy is inadequate, it can lead to chronicity. Since this is very difficult to cure and can cause great pain, early treatment is important.
