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Mechanics of Psoas Tendon Snapping. A Virtual Population Study
Emmanuel A Audenaert1,2,3,4, Vikas Khanduja2, Peter Claes5,6,7,8
1Department of Orthopedic Surgery and Traumatology, Ghent University Hospital, Ghent, Belgium.
Frontiers in Bioengineering and Biotechnology
|April 16, 2020
Summary
Internal snapping psoas tendon, a common cause of groin pain in athletes, is linked to specific hip and femur shapes. This study reveals that abnormal tendon movement correlates with femoral anteversion, valgus, and reduced offset, suggesting a connection to ischiofemoral impingement.
Area of Science:
- Orthopedics
- Sports Medicine
- Biomechanical Engineering
Background:
- Internal snapping psoas tendon is a common condition in young athletes, causing groin pain and an audible snap.
- The exact mechanism remains poorly understood due to limitations in dynamic visualization.
- Existing theories on etiology and location lack comprehensive dynamic analysis.
Purpose of the Study:
- To simulate psoas tendon behavior in a large virtual population.
- To identify anatomical risk factors associated with abnormal tendon excursion.
- To investigate the relationship between psoas snapping and other hip conditions.
Main Methods:
- Simulated psoas tendon movement in 40,000 virtual anatomies.
- Compared tendon excursion during dynamic hip movements (flexion, abduction, rotation).
- Correlated tendon movement with various femoral and hip morphometric parameters.
Main Results:
- Abnormal psoas tendon excursion significantly correlated with specific femoral anatomy.
- Key factors included increased femoral anteversion, valgus, decreased femoral offset, and ischiofemoral distance.
- These findings were consistent across male and female models, with minor differences.
Conclusions:
- Medial positioning of the minor trochanter is associated with excess psoas tendon movement.
- Psoas snapping and ischiofemoral impingement may represent different manifestations of the same underlying femoral rotational dysplasia.
- This suggests a unified approach to understanding and potentially treating these related conditions.
