Illiopsoas Bursitis and Tendonitis Symptoms

If you experience iliopsoas tendinitis and bursitis or iliopsoas syndrome you may experience similar symptoms of inflammation of the muscle-tendon or bursa (pain, tenderness, swelling, heat or redness and loss of normal mobility).

Pain and tenderness are the most common symptoms and are experienced with iliopsoas tendonitis and/or bursitis. This is found deep in your groin and radiates around to the front of your hip or upper thigh area, and can follow the length of the tendon down toward your knee; it will often move into your lower back and buttock area as well. This pain can be experienced in each location or all at one time; it can also be on one side or both sides of your body. Often the reason for the pain is known, however sometimes there may be no major reason or injury that brings it on. If you have iliopsoas tendinitis and/or bursitis you will experience a slow onset of pain and tenderness that builds up over a long period of time. If you have iliopsoas syndrome, your pain and tenderness will be sudden and sharp. Pain will generally be experienced for a short period of time during vigorous activities like jogging or kicking a ball with your instep, as well as more passive activities such as getting up from a seated position, extending your leg while driving, walking up stairs, lifting something heavy or bringing your knee up to your chest (especially against resistance). You will often find it difficult to lie down comfortably without support. Occasionally pain diminishes while in use, but it returns with a vengeance when you stop your activity. Average time from initial onset of symptoms to diagnosis ranges generally between 32 and 41 months.

You may also experience weakness in your upper thigh/hip area especially when lifting up your knee which results in a limp when walking or running.

Hip stiffness and tightness in groin as well as the knee, can result from a tight iliopsoas muscle. Swelling and increasing amounts of fluid in the bursa is often apparent especially with iliopsoas bursitis. This may be accompanied by redness and warmth in the groin.

Crepitus (clicking, snapping and/or popping hip sounds) may occur, especially with an inflamed iliopsoas bursa or snapping hip syndrome (caused by your iliopsoas tendon catching on your pelvis when your hip is flexed). This will also occur with a severe or complete iliopsoas tear. If you have a complete tear it will generally prevent you from walking upstairs.

Should you seek medical attention?

This is up to your discretion; however any continued discomfort in your groin or pelvis area should be investigated. If you continue to experience the iliopsoas tendinitis or bursitis symptoms and have tried the suggested conservative treatments (see conservative treatments for iliopsoas tendinitis or bursitis), it is recommended that you seek professional medical attention. If you experience any of the symptoms noted below it is recommended that you seek immediate attention:

• Severe pain and tenderness.
• Problems or swelling in or around the genitalia (penis, scrotum, testicles).
• A cut, lump or bulge or bleeding in your groin area.
• Major hip/thigh movement problems causing a severe limp.
• Urinary problem.
• A groin rash.
• Postoperative problem after groin operation.
• Exposure to an STD.
• Groin pain has not improved after 1 week, where symptoms are more severe or frequent.
• Signs of shock (lightheadedness, restlessness, shallow breathing, sweating, weakness, nausea.)