Laurie's Blogs.

Hi Laurie

I'm hearing more and more dogs being diagnosed with bilateral iliopsoas strain.   My feeling is that this is rare and that these dogs are being found to have sore hip flexors because of some other issue causing overuse or misuse and being misdiagnosed.  What is your feeling and findings on this?

I see so many getting the 'bejesus' lasered out of both of their iliopsoas' by some staff member when I fear the real problem  is being missed

I feel that bilateral iliopsoas is almost always a secondary issue to pelvic rotation, lower back , stifle issues etc.

I'd love to hear your thoughts.

Also..do you see a correlation with Lumbo Sacral issues

One other question if you have a second  ( Ha ! )

Dogs that have their lateral thigh muscles ( biceps femoris I think)

firing while they are standing stationary.   I know its not normal but havent pieced together whats up.  Have you seen this and do you have any ideas what is the cause ?

Thanks,

Love Love your site,  you're awesome 

N.

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Hi N.,

I couldn't agree with you more!  And this is a phenomenon that I see more and more often as well!

Bilateral iliopsoas injuries could only truely be accomplished with some sort of freak accident whereby both legs hyperexended simultaneously.

So, indeed bilateral iliopsoas pain is more likely:

Issues anywhere from T9 - L7-S1(more likely disc related - DDD, IVDD)

Bilateral hind end joint issues (i.e. bilateral hips, stifles, tarsi...) causing a change in movement strategy / posture - offloading to the forelimbs.

Forelimb joint issue causing the dog to offload to the rear limbs and hold him/herself in a 'retracted' position (sitting back on the haunches).

Or an SIJ issues that causes L/S issues that then causes bilateral iliopsoas issues (as compared to a direct correlation...)  

Now, as for the quivering biceps femoris (or vastus lateralis)... I'm not entirely sure.  Could be an attempt to control balance or patellar position or stifle position, or maybe it's one of those dogs that is offloading a limb or set of legs (and the quivering one is doing more work)... but really, I'm not sure.  I don't have one direct correlation answer for that one!

So glad you like the site (Tell your friends!)

All the best!

Cheers,

Laurie