Sartorius muscle pain: Cause, symptoms, Treatment, Exercise

When you feel the pain in the front of their hip joint while they flex & rotate the joint & during walking, it is indicated to be sartorius muscle pain. This pain is produced by many reasons like Sartorius muscle strain & Tear of the sartorius muscle. this pain is relieved by physiotherapy treatment.

What is sartorius muscle pain?

This muscle is also known as the tailor’s muscle because this muscle helps to flex joints & rotate the hip joint & flex the knee joint.
If the patient sits with one leg crossed over the other leg, then the sartorius muscle is working.
This pain occurs due to many reasons like strain in the muscle & tear of the muscle.
The patient is also feeling weakness in the leg.
This pain is reduced by the RICE principle at home & physiotherapy treatment.

Anatomy of the sartorius muscle:

This muscle is the longest in the human body.

The sartorius muscle is a long muscle that is located in the front of the thigh.
This muscle is arise from the Anterior superior iliac spine (ASIS).
Courses of this muscle are from to the hip joint & cross the front of the thigh.
Then this muscle is inserted near the inner part of the knee joint.
The function of the sartorius muscle is to flex & rotate the hip joint & bend the knee.
This sartorius muscle is innervated by the femoral nerve.

What is the cause of the sartorius muscle pain?

Overuse of the Sartorius’s muscle
Strain in the Sartorius’s muscle
Occur to Tear in the sartorius muscle
Tendinitis of Pes anserine
Paresis & paralysis of the Sartorius’s muscle due to a pinched nerve injury in the lumbar spine.

An injury of the sartorius muscle usually occurs with the conjunction injury of to another thigh muscle such as the psoas & the quadriceps muscle because all the muscle is work to together & perform to movement.

What is symptoms of the sartorius pain?

Symptoms of this muscle pain depend on the cause of pain.

Sartorius tendonitis:
Sartorius muscle Tendonitis give to typically results in pain & limited mobility of the muscle.
The patient is feeling pain in the front of the hip joint while flexing & rotating the joint during walking.
Physiotherapy helps to decrease the inflammation of the muscle & improve mobility.

Sartorius tear:
When A tear occurs in the sartorius muscle pain & swelling are produced in the muscle.
It involves a significant period of immobility & rest to allow for the muscle to heal. Once the healing is taken place, the physiotherapist works to improve scar tissue mobility, improve the flexibility of the sartorius muscle.
Pes anserine tendonitis:

In this condition, the patient feels pain in the medial & front aspect of the upper shin bone just below the knee joint.
Physiotherapy help decrease pain & inflammation & improve sartorius flexibility or strength.

Weakness due to nerve injury:
Nerve compression in the lower back is due to herniated disc/spinal foraminal stenosis which is produced by pain & weakness in the front of the thigh by affecting the sartorius muscle.
In Treatment, including exercises to relieve the nerve compression & correct the posture.

Some movements are produced to problems in this Sartorius’s muscle:

A twisting fall.
A sudden twisting of a planted foot.
Hold the legs up while sitting & sleeping position
Maintaining a contorted position.
some Common sporting activities like swimming, skating, soccer, hockey, are commonly used to forceful adduction of the hip joint. this is a setup for the trigger points in this muscle.

How to diagnosis of Sartorius muscle pain?

When the patient suspects any of these problems, please visit the healthcare provider & get an accurate diagnosis so that start the proper treatment of the reason for pain.

The healthcare provider is follow the assessment for diagnosis of pain.
First doctor & physiotherapist take to history & try to cause of the pain.
In the observation, the part observes the swelling in the area of pain.
Then do the palpation of the swellings & spasms.
In the examination, the part checks the ROM of the hip joint & strength of the muscle.

What is the treatment of Sartorius pain?

RICE principle :

The first stage of treatment after the muscle pain is the RICE principle.
R – rest = When the patient feels the muscle pain do the rest for the some days.
I – ice = Applied to ice on the area of pain for 20 minutes, you can also be used to ice pack & frozen peas for the pain relief & reduce the swellings.
C – compression = Applied to compression bandage on the area of pain for release the pain & swellings.
E – elevation = Elevated to leg with the help of pillow to reduce the swellings.

Foam Rolling:

The patient is Support the weight on the elbows & knee joint.
Place the foam roller under the belly & in between the thighs with the edge of the roller in contact with the inner hip.
Using the elbow joint & straight leg, move the body slowly so that the foam roller is moved along the inner thigh.
This is very tender but with each pass of the foam roller.
So that Pressure is increased in the muscle.
It is released to muscle spasms & swelling in the muscle which is applied like as massage.
Repeat this foam rolling 3 times per day.

Trigger Point:

A trigger point is always referred to as pain & sensation to another location when they press the point.
First Find the place the maximum tenderness point which is become to trigger point of the muscle.
on the trigger point applied to pressure on the point & maintain this pressure for no less than to 1 minute & no longer than two minutes till the feel the tissue soften.
Then Release this pressure gradually without moving the finger.
Rest & repeat this multiple times per day.

What is Physiotherapy treatment for Sartorius muscle pain?

In the physiotherapy treatment include stretching, strengthening exercise & yoga which is used to reduce the pain of muscle.

Stretching Exercise for the Sartorius pain:

This stretching exercise helps to reduce the tightness & spasms of the muscle.

Kneeling Stretch
Standing Stretch

Kneeling Stretch:

The patient is in a Kneel position with one knee on the ground.
The other knee is bent at a 90-degree angle in front of the body with the foot flat on the floor.
Support the body against a wall & sturdy piece of furniture, for balance.
Must be Keep the spine upright.
Keep the pelvis in a neutral position.
Lean forward with the spine still completely upright.
Pushing the pelvis forward while still keeping it level.
Then Clenching the buttock muscles & feel for the right motion.
Hold the stretching position for 30 seconds, then slowly release & repeat this stretching on the other side.
Repeat this stretching 3 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

Standing Stretch:

The patient is Stand on the right leg.
For the Support hold a wall for the balance.
Bring the left heel as close to the buttocks as possible.
Then Grasp the left foot in both hands
Pushing the hips forward without arching the back.
The patient feels the stretch in the front of the hip joint & possibly down the inside of the thigh as well.
Hold the stretching for 30 seconds, then slowly release & repeat this stretching on the other side.
Repeat the stretch until you’ve held it for one full minute on each leg.

Strengthening exercise for Sartorius muscle pain:

Plie Squats
Clam Exercise
Step-ups

Plie Squats:

For the Plie Squats first abduct the hip joint by creating a wide base of support, stepping the feet out laterally from the midline.
Then rotate the hip joint outward, so that thighs, knees & feet point are toward the sides of the room.
Bend the knee & hip joint lowering the glutes muscle straight down while keeping the hip joint are externally rotated so that the knee joint remains aligned with the toes.
When the knee joint form a 90-degree angle, press the heels & return to the standing position.
This exercise is Performed to 10 repetitions in 1 session.
This exercise is also done with dumbbells & a barbell to increase the resistance.

Clam Exercise:

The patient is lying on the affected side & bottom the arm extended upward to support the head & neck.
Flex the hip & knee joint so that thighs are positioned at a 90-degree angle to the torso & knees are also bent at roughly 90-degrees.
Make sure the shoulder joint, hip joint & knee joint are stacked, the body is perpendicular to the floor.
Keep the big toes touching, tighten the core muscle & externally rotate the hip joint & knee joint is open, as though the clam opening up.
Rotate as far as comfortably with the good form, then reverse the movement of exercise means, internally rotate the hip joint back into the starting position.
Perform this exercise in 10 repetitions before repeating on the opposite side.
For the resistance used to a small looped resistance band in the exercise.

Step-ups:

The starting position for the test is the standing position.
Place the one foot onto a platform, step bench /to the lowest step onto the staircase.
The patient is must be Kept straight onto the pelvis level.
Bend to the knee joint then slowly lower to the opposite foot onto the floor.
Lightly touch the toe onto the floor, then rise to back up the position.
Repeat this Step-ups exercise 10 times in 1 session & 3 sessions per day.

This Step-up exercise targets almost all the muscles of the lower body but mostly the sartorius muscle.

Lateral band walks:

For this exercise, used one prop- looped resistance band.
The patient places the band around the legs, above the ankle joint.
Then Bend both the legs slightly & move the right leg laterally.
Pull the band against the resistance & move the left leg closer.
Then Take at least 10-12 steps towards the right direction in the same way.
Repeat this exercise with the other side.

What is the yoga pose for Sartorius pain?

Reclining Hero Pose (Supta Virasana)
Half Reclining Hero Pose (Ardha Supta Virasana)
Bow Pose (Dhanurasana)
Camel Pose (Ustrasana)
Firefly Pose (Tittibhasana)
High Lunge
Low Lunge (Anjaneyasana)
One-Legged King Pigeon Pose
Tree pose

Reclining Hero Pose:

The patient is first to Perform to Virasana means Exhale & lower the back torso toward the floor.
The patient is First to lean onto the hands, then the forearms & elbow joint.
Once the hand is on the elbow joint, place the hands on the back of the pelvis & release the lower back & upper buttocks by spreading the flesh down toward the tailbone.
Then Sink the heads of the thighbones deep into the back of the hip joint sockets.
It is alright to lift the knee joint a little away from the floor to help soften the groins
Patient is also raising the knee joint a few inches with a help of a thickly folded blanket.
In To begin position, stay in this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute.
Then Gradually extend time & try to stay in the yoga pose for 5 minutes.

Half Reclining Hero Pose :

The patient is in a kneeling position towards the front of the mat.
Bring the right foot flat to the mat & drop down inside the left foot.
Walk the right foot out to the right as far as the patient needs to so that both sitting bones are flat on the mat.
Check the left foot & toes point straight back& that the right knee points straight ahead.
Place the hands behind, palms down & fingertips facing forwards & lean back till the feel the stretch in the left quad.
The patient is come down onto the elbows or lowers the down to the mat, brings the arms up overhead & holds onto the opposite elbow joint.
To increase the intensity, the patient hugs the right knee into the chest.
The patient holds this pose for 3-5 slow breaths.
Then Release the arms, bring the hands to the mat & carefully press the back up for the other side.

Bow pose :

The patient is lying on the belly on the mat, with a blanket under the pelvis.
Press all of the toes into the floor & then bend the knee joint, must be keep the toes active.
Grab the outer edges of the ankles with the hands & flex the feet strongly.
During the inhalation, lift the rib cage & shoulders toward the ears.
During the exhalation lengthen the tailbone & kick the legs back into the hands as they hold on firmly.
Then lift the head & heart.
Press down through the thighs to lift the chest.
The patient is stay in the pose for 30 seconds.

Camel Pose :

The patient is in a Kneeling position on to the mat with both knees are shoulder-width to apart.
Then Reach to the back & place the hands on to the bottoms of the feet.
The patient becomes an Arch into a backbend
So that the head is fall back & gazing at the wall behind the body.
Hold this yoga pose for 30 seconds & repeat for several times.

Firefly Pose :

Start with a Standing Forward Bend, with the toes pointing slightly out toes & knees are slightly bent.
Take the right hand through the legs to clasp the right calf, placing the right shoulder behind the right knee.
Then place the right hand on the floor behind the heel with fingers facing forward.
Repeat this pose on the left side.
Tilt the chest forward & carefully lower the legs onto the backs of the upper arms.
Inhale, lift the feet off the mat & straighten the legs.
Patient’s feet are pointed/flexed.
Hold this yoga pose for 15 seconds & for a longer time, then release the feet to the floor with an exhale.

High Lunge :

Start with this yoga pose Adho Mukha Svanasana = Downward-Facing Dog.
Exhale & step the right foot forward between the hands, aligning the knee joint over the heel.
Keep the left leg strong & firm.
The patient is Inhale & raises the torso to upright.
At the same time, sweep the arms wide to the sides & raise them overhead, palms facing
Must Be careful not to overarch of the lower back.
Lengthen the tailbone toward the floor & reach back through the left heel.
Be sure not to press the front ribs forward.
Draw them down & into the torso.
Then Lift the arms from the lower back ribs, reaching through the little fingers.
Hold this pose for 30 seconds to 1 minute.

Low Lunge :

Start with the Downward-Facing Dog then exhale & step the right foot forward between the hands, aligning the right knee joint over the heel.
Then lower the left knee to the floor & keep the right knee fixed in place, slide the left-back till they feel a comfortable stretch in the left front thigh & groin.
Turn the top of the left foot to the floor.
Inhale & lift the torso to upright.
Sweep the arms out to the sides & up, perpendicular to the floor.
Draw the tailbone down toward the floor & lift the pubic bone toward the navel.
Lift the chest from the firmness of the shoulder blades against the back torso.
Take the head back & lookup, being to careful not to jam the back of the neck.
Hold for a minute, exhale the torso back to the right thigh & hands to the floor,& turn to back toes under

One-Legged King Pigeon Pose :

Starting on the hands & knees, slide the left knee forward, angling the left shin under the torso so that the left foot is at the front of the right knee & the outside of the left shin is resting on the floor.
Slowly slide the right leg back, straightening the knee & resting the top of the thigh on the floor.
Lower the outer left backside to the floor.
Position the left heel just in front of the right hip joint.
left knee is an angle slightly to the left, outside the line of the hip joint.
Look back at the right leg. It extends the straight back from the hip joint.
Lift the torso away from the thigh.
Lengthen the lower back by pressing the tailbone down & forward.
Draw the right front hip point slightly forward, toward the left heel.
Stay in the pose for a few breaths, release the hands one by one & lower the torso over the left leg & down to the floor.
The patient is held for a few breaths & repeats with the other side.

Tree pose :

This yoga pose is also known as the Vrksasana.

The patient is standing in the Tadasana position means Spreading the toes, pressing the feet into the mat & firm the leg muscles.
Then Raise the front hip points toward the lower ribs which are gently lifted in the lower belly.
The patient inhales deeply, lifting the chest & exhale as they draw the shoulder blades down the back.
The patient is looking straight ahead.
Place the hands on the hip joint & raise the right foot high onto the left thigh or shin.
Avoid making contact with the knee joint.
Press the right foot & left leg with each other.
Hold this yoga pose for several breaths, then step back into Mountain Pose & repeat this yoga pose on the other side.

How to prevent Sartorius muscle pain?

Avoid painful activities & applied to gently stretch till regain the full ROM & normal strength in the injured leg & when the walk without pain & limping.
To avoid sartorius muscle pain, the patient is doing the warm-up & cool down during the exercise.

Always use good body mechanics & do the right strength training & stretching exercises for the inner thigh which is an important component of the treatment plan.