The iliopsoas bursa is the largest bursa in the body in terms of potential space, lying between the iliopsoas tendon and the anterior hip capsule. It communicates with the hip joint in approximately 15 percent of normal adults and in a higher percentage of patients with hip pathology, meaning that hip joint effusion from any cause can extend into the bursa and produce an anterior hip or groin mass. Snapping hip syndrome from the iliopsoas tendon snapping over the iliopectineal eminence is closely related to this bursa.
Reduces friction between the iliopsoas tendon and the anterior hip joint capsule during hip flexion
Iliopsoas bursitis presents as anterior groin pain or an anterior hip mass, and imaging is required to identify whether the bursal fluid communicates with the hip joint. A communicating bursa in a patient with hip pain implies a joint effusion that requires further investigation for its cause. Internal snapping hip (coxa saltans interna) from the iliopsoas tendon snapping over the iliopectineal eminence produces a palpable and audible snap at the anterior hip that is managed with lengthening exercises and occasionally ultrasound-guided injection.
Anterior groin swelling and pain from bursal inflammation, often communicating with a hip joint effusion that requires investigation for its underlying cause.
Audible snap at the anterior hip from the iliopsoas tendon snapping over the iliopectineal eminence during hip flexion-extension, managed with stretching and injection of the tendon-bursa complex.
