Table of ContentsView AllTable of ContentsIlliopsoas Syndrome SymptomsWhat Causes Iliopsoas Pain?DiagnosisIliopsoas Syndrome TreatmentSummary
Table of ContentsView All
View All
Table of Contents
Illiopsoas Syndrome Symptoms
What Causes Iliopsoas Pain?
Diagnosis
Iliopsoas Syndrome Treatment
Summary
The termiliopsoas syndromeis often used interchangeably with psoas syndrome, iliopsoas tendonitis,snapping hip syndrome, and iliopsoas bursitis, though there are some clinical differences between some of these.
This article explains the symptoms and causes of iliopsoas syndrome, as well as how it is diagnosed and treated.
Anut21ng / Getty Images
Symptoms of iliopsoas syndrome include:
Typically, movements that involve bringing your knee toward your chest can worsen the pain.
11 Common Hip Pain and Injuries in Athletes
The iliopsoas muscles are the anterior hip muscles (muscles on the front of the hip. They are complex muscles made up of the psoas major, the psoas minor, and theiliacus.
Within the hip joint are severalbursae, small, fluid-filled sacs that lie between bones and soft tissues. Bursae reduce friction and provide cushioning to allow tendons, muscles, and other structures to glide over bony prominences effortlessly.
Two of these bursae—the greatertrochantericbursa and the iliopsoas bursa—can become inflamed, setting the stage for iliopsoas syndrome.
The Anatomy of the Iliopsoas Muscle
A healthcare provider is typically able to diagnose iliopsoas syndrome based on symptom history and a hip examination.
Imaging tests, such as magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) and X-ray, may be used to rule out other injuries or conditions, such as muscle tears.
Most mild cases of hip bursitis and hip tendonitis can be managed using theRICEmethod. RICE stands for:
Medical Treatment
Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs)such as Advil (ibuprofen) and Aleve (naproxen sodium) can also alleviate pain and reduce inflammation.
Sometimes,steroid injectionsare used to relieve symptoms. If symptoms persist or return, additional steroid injections can be administered as necessary.
After pain and swelling subside, you may need to see a physical therapist, or your healthcare provider may start you on amild exercise programto gradually improve hip strength and flexibility.
In severe cases where pain persists despite taking these measures, your healthcare provider may recommendsurgical interventions. However, these instances are rare due to the risks of muscle weakness and nerve damage.
The best way to treat iliopsoas syndrome is to rest and decrease your activities to a comfortable level. Staying active despite pain may prolong the time required for healing.
Iliopsoas syndrome is a broad term that encompasses a variety of possible injuries to the iliopsoas muscle.
Mild cases of iliopsoas pain can usually be treated at home with conservative measures. In other cases, steroid injections and physical therapy may be needed.
4 SourcesVerywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lifshitz L, Bar Sela S, Gal N, Martin R, Fleitman Klar M.Iliopsoas the hidden muscle: Anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment.Current Sports Medicine Reports19(6):p 235-243, June 2020. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000723American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Iliopsoas tendonitis/bursitis.Walker P, Ellis E, Scofield J, Kongchum T, Sherman WF, Kaye AD.Snapping hip syndrome: A comprehensive update.Orthopedic Reviews. 2021;13(2). doi:10.52965/001c.25088American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Hip strains.
4 Sources
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.Lifshitz L, Bar Sela S, Gal N, Martin R, Fleitman Klar M.Iliopsoas the hidden muscle: Anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment.Current Sports Medicine Reports19(6):p 235-243, June 2020. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000723American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Iliopsoas tendonitis/bursitis.Walker P, Ellis E, Scofield J, Kongchum T, Sherman WF, Kaye AD.Snapping hip syndrome: A comprehensive update.Orthopedic Reviews. 2021;13(2). doi:10.52965/001c.25088American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Hip strains.
Verywell Health uses only high-quality sources, including peer-reviewed studies, to support the facts within our articles. Read oureditorial processto learn more about how we fact-check and keep our content accurate, reliable, and trustworthy.
Lifshitz L, Bar Sela S, Gal N, Martin R, Fleitman Klar M.Iliopsoas the hidden muscle: Anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment.Current Sports Medicine Reports19(6):p 235-243, June 2020. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000723American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Iliopsoas tendonitis/bursitis.Walker P, Ellis E, Scofield J, Kongchum T, Sherman WF, Kaye AD.Snapping hip syndrome: A comprehensive update.Orthopedic Reviews. 2021;13(2). doi:10.52965/001c.25088American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Hip strains.
Lifshitz L, Bar Sela S, Gal N, Martin R, Fleitman Klar M.Iliopsoas the hidden muscle: Anatomy, diagnosis, and treatment.Current Sports Medicine Reports19(6):p 235-243, June 2020. doi:10.1249/JSR.0000000000000723
American Association of Hip and Knee Surgeons.Iliopsoas tendonitis/bursitis.
Walker P, Ellis E, Scofield J, Kongchum T, Sherman WF, Kaye AD.Snapping hip syndrome: A comprehensive update.Orthopedic Reviews. 2021;13(2). doi:10.52965/001c.25088
American Association of Orthopedic Surgeons. OrthoInfo.Hip strains.
Meet Our Medical Expert Board
Share Feedback
Was this page helpful?Thanks for your feedback!What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
Was this page helpful?
Thanks for your feedback!
What is your feedback?OtherHelpfulReport an ErrorSubmit
What is your feedback?
