ISCHIOFEMORAL IMPINGEMENT - AN ETIOLOGY OF HIP PAIN: CASE REPORT

An association between hip pain and quadratus femoris muscle abnormality on magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) with concurrent narrowing of the ischiofemoral space has been reported in the recent literature. This raises the possibility that the muscle damage observed is due to ischiofemoral impingement. This diagnosis has been noted in middle-aged females either with or without a history of trauma or surgery, is a rarely described feature. We report here on a 31-year-old woman who presented with non-traumatic hip pain and evidence of narrowing of the ischiofemoral space and edema in the quadratus femoris. Nonsurgical treatment was administered, which relieved her hip pain. The diagnosis of ischiofemoral impingement should be considered in female patients complaining of hip pain without any other evident cause.

Case report: imaging and surgical treatment of a snapping hip due to ischiofemoral impingement

An association between hip pain and quadratus femoris MRI abnormality with concurrent narrowing of the ischiofemoral space has been reported in a number of patients to date, raising the possibility that the muscular damage observed is due to ischiofemoral impingement. Possible impingement has been noted primarily in middle-aged females either with or without a history of trauma or surgery, and associated snapping of the hip is a rarely described feature. We report here on a 17-year-old girl who presented with post-traumatic hip pain; she later developed evidence of ischiofemoral narrowing and quadratus femoris edema on MRI in addition to an audible snapping. Surgical resection of the lesser trochanter was performed, relieving both her hip pain and the snapping. To our knowledge, this is the first reported case of non-iatrogenic ischiofemoral impingement with surgical confirmation. The diagnosis of ischiofemoral impingement should be considered in patients complaining of a snapping hip.

Persistent sciatica induced by quadratus femoris muscle tear and treated by surgical decompression: a case report

INTRODUCTION

Quadratus femoris tear is an uncommon injury, which is only rarely reported in the literature. In the majority of cases the correct diagnosis is delayed due to non-specific symptoms and signs. A magnetic resonance imaging scan is crucial in the differential diagnosis since injuries to contiguous soft tissues may present with similar symptoms. Presentation with sciatica is not reported in the few cases existing in the English literature and the reported treatment has always been conservative.

CASE PRESENTATION

We report here on a case of quadratus femoris tear in a 22-year-old Greek woman who presented with persistent sciatica. She was unresponsive to conservative measures and so was treated with surgical decompression.

CONCLUSION

The correct diagnosis of quadratus muscle tear is a challenge for physicians. The treatment is usually conservative, but in cases of persistent sciatica surgical decompression is an alternative option.