Iliotibial Band Syndrome

What is Iliotibial band syndrome?

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITB) is defined as an inflammatory condition of the iliotibial band. ITB syndrome results in pain on the outside of the knee, right above the joint.

The iliotibial band is a band of fibrous tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh. This tendon runs down the side of the thigh and connects to the outside edge of the tibia (upper shinbone), below the middle of the knee joint. The iliotibial band provides stability to the knee and hip and prevents dislocation of those joints.

The ITB can be felt by hand on the outside of the thigh, when the leg muscles are tightened. The condition occurs most frequently in cyclists, runners and long-distance walkers. However, recent research suggests that runners with a weakened or fatigued glusteus medius muscle in the hip are highly prone to the ITB syndrome.

Research indicates that the ITB syndrome is the most common cause of lateral knee pain in runners and accounts for 12% of all running-related injuries. It is most common amongst athletes involved in long distance running.

The Symptoms

Here we list some of the most prominent characteristics of pain related to the iliotibial band syndrome:

Causes

Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when this band repeatedly rubs over the bump of the thighbone (femur), close to the knee, causing irritation to the band.

There are two chief causes of the Iliotibial band syndrome, as shown here:

A) Overload

B) Biomechanical errors

Prevention

• Avoid exercises including running, stair stepping, dead lift, squats, court sports (tennis, basketball) and martial arts
• Decrease the intensity and duration of training
• Side stretching
• Avoid crowded surfaces or too much running around a track
• Wear motion control shoes to limit pronation
• Strengthen the hip abductors
• Allow enough rest and recovery in the training program

It is also important to learn to stretch the IT Band in the right way. Cross your right leg while standing and extend your left arm against a wall, pole, chair or any other stable object. Lean your weight against the object while pushing your right hip in the opposite direction. Keep your right foot anchored while allowing your left knee to flex.

While doing this, you should be able to feel the stretch in the iliotibial muscle in your right hip and extending down the outside of the right leg.

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Medical Treatment >>

Medical Treatment

Surgical intervention is very rarely required in the case of the iliotibial band syndrome and is resorted to only when all other conservative forms of treatment have failed to respond.

In such cases, the surgery will involve an incision made to the posterior (.i.e. rear) fibers of the iliotibial band to relieve the fractioning effect.

Cortisone injections over the area of inflammation can also be administered to reduce the swelling and pain.

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Self Help >>

Home Treatment

Physical therapy, including ultrasound, electrical stimulation and exercise has also been found to be useful in the iliotibial band syndrome.

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