Medical expert of the article
New publications
Ilio-lumbar muscle and back pain
Last reviewed: 23.04.2024
All iLive content is medically reviewed or fact checked to ensure as much factual accuracy as possible.
We have strict sourcing guidelines and only link to reputable media sites, academic research institutions and, whenever possible, medically peer reviewed studies. Note that the numbers in parentheses ([1], [2], etc.) are clickable links to these studies.
If you feel that any of our content is inaccurate, out-of-date, or otherwise questionable, please select it and press Ctrl + Enter.
The ilio-lumbar muscle is m. Iliopsoas flexes the hip. Also slightly helps with external hip rotation, sometimes helps to lift the hip. Helps bend the lumbar spine if the body is tilted forward.
- Beginning: M. Psoas Major: the bodies of the XII thoracic and I - IV lumbar vertebrae, Processus costarus I - V of the lumbar vertebrae. M. Iliacus: Fossa iliaca, Spina lliaca anterior inferior
- Attachment: Trochanter minor
- Innervation: spinal nerves LI - L4 - rr. Musculares of the lumbar plexus
[Diagnostics
In the patient lying on the back, a muscle-tendon junction and fibers of the iliac muscle can be examined at pressure on the lateral wall of the femoral triangle. Pain from the trigger zone in this area is usually reflected in the lower back, in the antero-medial thigh and groin. In order not to squeeze the femoral nerve that passes through the medial surface of this muscle when palpation, it is necessary to slightly withdraw the thigh. To search for the trigger zone in the second possible place, the inner side of the iliac crest is examined.
The patient must relax the abdominal muscles. The researcher's fingers reach the inner surface of the crest of the ilium and move forward, starting from the anterior iliac bone along the ridge across the muscle fibers. The pain from the trigger zone of this localization is reflected mainly in the lower back and in the sacroiliac region.
Indirect palpation of the lumbar muscle through the abdominal wall with proper performance is quite effective. The fingertips are located on the abdominal wall along the lateral edge of the rectus abdominal muscle at about the navel level. The pressure is dorso-medial. In the presence of active trigger zones, a small effort is required to call up the pain response. Pain is mainly reflected in the lower back. Usually, muscle tension can be felt only in patients with a thin anterior abdominal wall. When detecting trigger zones in one of the ilio-lumbar muscles, it is necessary to examine the contralateral muscle, since they work together.
Reflected pain
Projected as a vertical ipsilateral pattern along the lumbar spine. It extends downward to the sacroiliac region. Often the reflected pain is localized in the upper part of the anterior median femur surface on the same side. When palpating the trigger zones of the abdominal part of the ilio-lumbar muscle, the pain is reflected mainly in the back. When palpating the trigger zones in the place where the muscle is attached to the small trochanter, the pain is reflected both in the back and in the thigh.