Currently, research on stem cell therapy specifically targeting Ischiofemoral Impingement Syndrome is very limited. Despite Ischiofemoral Impingement Syndrome being recognized as a cause of hip and groin pain, the majority of existing stem cell research concerning the hip focuses on more common conditions such as Osteoarthritis, Osteonecrosis, and Femoroacetabular Impingement.
Generally, stem cell therapy, (injections of a patient’s own stem cells) represents a non-surgical, regenerative injection method. Research indicates stem cell therapy may delay or even avert the need for hip replacement.
Understanding Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome
Connected to groin pain
However, while ischiofemoral impingement syndrome is typically associated with hip pain, its connection to groin pain also remains a subject of debate among clinicians. A study published in September 2025 (1) explored this relationship by evaluating 568 hips from 284 patients who underwent pelvic MRI scans between January and September 2024. The patients were divided based on whether they reported groin pain. Out of the total hips examined, 23 (4%) exhibited groin pain, with swelling of the quadratus femoris muscle identified in 19 of these cases (82.6%). Additionally, quadratus femoris edema was found in 116 hips (20.4%). Importantly, patients with quadratus femoris edema showed significantly reduced measurements in both the ischiofemoral and quadratus femoris spaces. These findings suggest that ischiofemoral impingement syndrome should be considered as a potential cause when evaluating unexplained groin pain.
Most cases of sciatica are attributed to the compression of lumbar nerve roots. However, some instances may originate from structures outside the nerve roots, such as ischiofemoral impingement syndrome.
Mistaken for sciatica
A December 2025 publication (2) presents the case of a 64-year-old man who experienced persistent right-sided sciatic pain for ten years, occurring exclusively when seated. Despite undergoing multiple lumbar surgeries for spinal stenosis—initially at L4-L5, then at L3-L4, and subsequently L5-S1 with fusion to S1—as well as several infiltrations and pulsed radiofrequency procedures, the patient saw no improvement. Neurophysiological evaluations and imaging studies showed no significant lumbar nerve compression, except for edema at the ischial insertion of the quadratus femoris muscle. A diagnostic infiltration of local anesthetic temporarily relieved his pain, confirming the diagnosis of ischiofemoral impingement syndrome.
References
1 Ozenbas C, Engin D, Altinok T. An overlooked cause of groin pain: Ischiofemoral impingement syndrome. Journal of back and musculoskeletal rehabilitation.:10538127251325843.
2 Barriga-Martín A, Paredes-Muñóz O, Peral-Alarma M, Romero-Muñóz LM, Guimbard-Pérez JH. Failed back syndrome or extra-spinal sciatica? Ischiofemoral syndrome as a cause of persistent radicular pain after 4 lumbar spine surgeries. Neurocirugia. 2025 Dec 5:500737-.
