Introduction
The sartorius muscle is the longest of all muscles in the body. It is present in front of the thigh; it begins from the headmost aspect of the hipbone and crosses over the ventral side of the thigh. The muscle then reaches or connects to the tibia or shinbone. The significant action of the sartorius muscle is the bending of the knees and hip. It also aids in the external or outward rotation of the leg. The sartorius muscle is often referred to as the tailor’s muscle since it makes allowances for sitting with the heel of one-foot crossing over the knee of another leg.
What Are the Functions of the Sartorius Muscle?
The Sartorius muscle is responsible for major and significant functions of the body since it is the longest muscle crossing or connecting the two important joints, such as the knee and the hip. It has a unique way of enhancing hip and knee movements by means of distinct actions. The reliable movements and functions of the sartorius muscle are listed below.
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Hip Flexion: Sartorius muscle help on to bend the hips with the involvement of additional muscles. It aids in the flexion of the hips, a significant movement of daily functions.
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Knee Flexion: Sartorius muscle involves the bending of the knees. The sartorius muscle runs and crosses to the inner aspect of the knee, where it attaches to the shinbone. So, it helps bend or flex the knee when the sartorius muscle gets contracted. In addition, it enhances knee flexion during the hip movements such as rotation and flexion.
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External Rotation of the Hip: The sartorius muscle holds a line of pull, wherein the line of pull is known for the long axis of the muscle, passing over the ventral side of the thigh, aiding in the rotation of the hip externally or outwardly.
What Causes Sartorius Muscle Pain?
There is no solitary cause for the development of sartorius muscle pain. So, it can be due to strain, infection, and just pain. However, hip strains concerning sartorius and other muscles are largely due to overuse and sudden injuries, according to the American Academy of orthopedic surgeons (AAOS). The causes for such acute degrees of injury and pain include the following:
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Falls.
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Accidents.
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Direct blows.
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Overstretching.
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Infection.
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Recurrent movements.
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Overuse of the sartorius muscle and the affiliated joint.
In addition to the causes of sartorius muscle pain, there are certain movements attributable to the increased risk of problems associated with sartorius muscle. The movements include the following:
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A twisting fall.
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Maintenance of the legs up during standing and sitting positions.
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Staying in a contoured position.
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A sudden twist of a planted feet.
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Common sports include skating, soccer, swimming, hockey, etc. The sporting activities that potentially force adduction of the hip joint are a triggering point for sartorius muscle pain.
What Are the Signs and Symptoms of Sartorius Muscle Pain?
A range of conditions can involve the sartorius muscle, causing pain and limited functions. So, it can result from tendonitis (inflammation of the tendon), muscle strain, tear, or paralysis of the pinched nerve. However, the predominant symptom one can encounter with the sartorius muscle is a pain in the sartorius region. The characteristic feature of sartorius muscle pain is a burning feeling or sensation in the front area of the hip. In addition, several individuals could experience tenderness in the inner aspects of the knee. The person may experience additional symptoms with pain in the case of the presence of underlying pathology. These include the following.
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Excess pain is encountered during muscle strain since tenons are overstretched, injured, and torn.
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Pain and tenderness are felt in the inner knee and the middle aspect of the shinbone, where the muscles in relation to the knee are affected.
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Joint stiffness is seen with the other conditions.
Sartorius muscle pain can get worsen over time and underlying diseases. In addition, certain determinants can aggravate the pain, including exercises, strenuous activities, and climbing stairs.
What Are the Treatment Options for Sartorius Muscle Pain?
Healthcare professionals diagnose the condition through physical examination, medical history, and symptom evaluation. In addition, radiographic techniques such as X-rays, computerized tomography (CT), and magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) can be advised to assess the underlying pathology and tendon wear. Sartorius muscle pain is relatively easy to treat through appropriate care and exercises. Intervention is to address the underlying and basic cause of pain is to look at.
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Medications: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) are prescribed to relieve pain and distress concerning sartorius muscle pain. It includes over-the-counter (OTC) medications such as Acetaminophen, Naproxen, and Ibuprofen.
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Rest: Rest is the most effective care for any distressing condition out there. Therefore, one can rest the knees and hip for quite a while until one attains relaxation and relief.
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Cold Therapy: Healthcare professionals recommend cold therapy for reducing underlying inflammation and swelling concerning the sartorius muscle pain. It also addresses blood circulation. Furthermore, applying a cold pack to the affected site for about fifteen to twenty minutes freezes the nerves for a few seconds, relieving pain. Therefore, cold therapy can be followed when any kind of muscle pain or swelling is suspected.
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Surgery: Surgery is recommended in rare and extreme cases where the tendons are injured or torn away. The surgical approach is aimed toward the reattachment and restoration of tendons.
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Physical Therapy and Exercises: Physical therapy plays a vital role in addressing and managing sartorius muscle pain. It includes strengthening exercises and stretches. These activities alleviate pain and improve the range of motion. Therefore, the physical therapist prescribes a range of exercises for managing sartorius muscle pain. One must employ this on a daily basis since it could relax the stiffened muscle.
Conclusion
As a consequence of overuse or injury of the hip and knee joints, the muscles associating with them can cause pain. This includes the sartorius muscle since it is long and largely influenced by the knee and hip. However, it can be managed without surgical intervention in most instances. Sartorius muscle pain is one of the most successfully manageable pains, which is primarily achieved by optimizing the use of physical exercises and stretches.
