Anatomy Of The Tensor Fascia Lata Muscle

Courtesy: Prof Nabil Ebraheim, University of Toledo, Ohio, USA

Tensor fascia lata muscle lies between tendon of gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata at the middle of upper area of the thigh.

Origin – anterior part of outer lip of iliac Crest
Insertion – iliotibial tract at middle third of thigh (iliotibial band)

Function:

• Flexion and abduction of thigh
• Counteracts posterior pull from gluteus maximus muscle

Nerve supply – superior gluteal nerve

SNAPPING HIP SYNDROME

• Iliotibial tract slides over greater trochanter causing a snapping noise, clicks and motion
• Painful especially with activity
• Diagnosis of Iliotibial band syndrome – direct palpation of greater trochanter

OBER’S TEST :

• Patient should lie on the side with unaffected leg on the bottom
• Examiner slowly abducts the leg with knee in flexion and hip in extension
• When IT band is tight , test is positive and adduction of leg will be limited

TROCHANTERIC BURSITIS

• Due to repeated trauma, inflammation or irritation of iliotibial band over greater trochanter
• Patient will point to area of pain over greater trochanter of femur

RUNNER’S INJURY

• Occur in distant runners
• Friction injury due to rubbing between iliotibial band and lateral femoral condyle
• MRI – thickened and inflamed iliotibial band

Treatment –
1.Physical therapy
2.Injections
3.Rarely surgery