A bursa is a fluid filled sac which allows adjacent bodily structures to slide past each other without causing friction. Bursae are found throughout the body where, multiple structures e.g. bones, muscles, tendons, nerves and blood vessels lie in close proximity. A bursa may become irritated and inflamed due to excessive irritation of the bursa through friction by the structures surrounding it.
The iliopsoas bursa lies between the powerful iliopsoas muscle, which bends your hip (also known as the hip-flexor) and the underlying hip joint. Iliopsoas bursitis occurs due to excessive friction on the bursa often caused by tightness in the iliopsoas muscle. Activities such as walking, running, stair climbing, and crossing legs may all produce pain with this condition. Pain is felt at the front of the hip joint and occasionally referring into the hip region.
You should not continue to train or exercise with iliopsoas bursitis as it will lead to a longer recovery time. Sufferers should have the injury assessed and the diagnosis confirmed. In the event that a tight iliopsoas is responsible – a chartered physiotherapist should be able to identify it. They should then be able to offer treatment and show you stretches to relieve the condition. Occasionally injection of the bursa is required to settle the condition. Generally the condition settles quickly and there are no long term consequences of having had the injury.