Sartorius muscle strain

Musculus sartorius is an upper leg muscle which has an origin at the spina iliaca anterior superior of the pelvic bone, it descends diagonally along the whole lenght of the femur and it connects to the proximal medial part of the tibia. It is the longest muscle on the human body and its function is knee flexion, but it also has a synergistic role with internal hip rotation. It is commonly known as the „tailor`s muscle“ due to the fact that it is active in a position which is very common for this profession, ie. when the legs are crossed with one leg going over the other, the m. sartorius is active during the movement of crossing the legs and it can also very often lead to problems if this position or movement is perpetuated constantly.

Injuries or damage to the m. sartorius can lead to pain and problems in the groin and hip region, due to the simple fact that its origin is in that region. Sartorius strain can lead to difficulties during daily activities such as walking, getting dressed or during sports activities. A strained sartorius happens when during a movement anterior upper leg musculature gets overly extended and excesive loads are put on it ledaing to the muscles, along with m. sartorius getting overstretched. Smaller or bigger muscle fiber ruptures can also occur when the muscle gets strained and overstretched.

In the acute phase of tretment, in order to relieve pain and edema due to muscle fibers possibly rupturing, RICE method is implemented (rest, ice, compression, elevation) and in the later functional phase a progressive muscle strenghtening program is used, first with static exercises amd later with dynamic ones, through concentric muscle work (muscle shortenning) of m. sartorius and later on through eccentric work (muscle extending), simulating the conditions in which the muscle was injured, elongation of the muscle in its workload and making it control the movement in those conditions. With this rehabiliatation approach, ie. eccentric strenghtening after a muscle was strained we should be very careful and patient due to te fact that we are putting the muscle in the same conditions in which it was injured in the first place, but full return to activity depends on the m. sartorius being able to successfully undertake both concentric and eccentric work load. Rehabilitation should last from 20-30 days depending on the level and gravity of the strain.

Prevention: stretching and ensuring of optimal m. sartorius and other upper leg muscles flexibility, eccentric and concentric muscle strenghtening, proper warmup at the beginning of any sports activity, etc.