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Iliopsoas tendon reformation after psoas tendon release
1University Hospitals Leicester, Leicester General Hospital, Gwendolen Road, Leicester LE5 4PW, UK.
Case Reports in Orthopedics
|May 11, 2013
Summary
Internal snapping hip syndrome can recur after surgery due to tendon reformation. This case highlights the need to consider tendon regrowth in patients experiencing recurrent symptoms following iliopsoas tenotomy.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Musculoskeletal Imaging
Background:
- Internal snapping hip syndrome, often due to psoas tendon issues, causes nonarthritic hip pain.
- Conservative treatments are common, but surgical intervention may be necessary for persistent cases.
- Surgical options include iliopsoas tendon lengthening or release at the lesser trochanter.
Purpose of the Study:
- To report a rare case of internal snapping hip syndrome recurrence after an open psoas tenotomy.
- To investigate the cause of refractory snapping hip pain after a successful initial surgery.
- To highlight tendon reformation as a potential cause of failed tenotomy.
Main Methods:
- A case study of a 47-year-old female with recurrent internal snapping hip pain post-psoas tenotomy.
- Magnetic Resonance Imaging (MRI) arthrogram to evaluate the hip structures.
- Repeat surgical release of the iliopsoas tendon.
Main Results:
- The patient experienced symptom relief for 13 years after the initial open psoas tenotomy.
- An MRI arthrogram revealed the reformation of a pseudo iliopsoas tendon.
- Repeat tenotomy successfully resolved the recurrent pain and snapping hip symptoms.
Conclusions:
- Tendon reformation is an uncommon but possible sequela following tenotomy procedures.
- Recurrence of symptoms after a period of relief warrants consideration of tendon reformation.
- This diagnosis should be included in the differential for failed iliopsoas tenotomy.
