2008 Volume 35 Issue 7 Pages 325-330
The ilio-femoral ligament is known to cause flexion contracture of the hip joint. However, no quantitative analysis to measure the effect of stretching positions on the ilio-femoral ligament has yet been performed. Strains on the superior and inferior ilio-femoral ligaments in 8 fresh/frozen trans-lumbar cadaver hip joints were measured using a displacement sensor, and the range of movement of the hip joints was recorded using a 3Space Magnetic Sensor. Reference length (L0) for each ligament was determined to accurately measure strain on the ligaments. Strain on the superior ilio-femoral ligament in the hip at 10 to 20 degrees adduction with maximal external rotation and maximal external rotation was statistically significantly larger than the value obtained from maximal extension (p<0.05). Strain on the inferior ilio-femoral ligament in the hip of maximal extension and 20 degrees external rotation with maximal extension was statistically significantly larger than the value obtained from maximal abduction (p<0.05). Few other hip positions demonstrated positive strain on the ilio-femoral ligament. The superior and inferior ilio-femoral ligaments were found to have selective stretching positions which provided large strain values. A series of selective stretches for the ilio-femoral ligaments may contribute to achieve an attractive treatment for flexion contracture of the hip joint.
