Iliotibial Band Syndrome
ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME
SIGNS & SYMPTOMS
- Pain can vary from crest of the hip bone (ilium) radiating down the side of the thigh to outside (lateral) side of the knee.
- Pain can vary from mild to sharp
CAUSATIVE FACTORS
- Excessive flexion & extension of the knee
- Excessive pronation & supination of the foot resulting from abnormal movement of the foot
- Training errors as running on crowned or banked surfaces, down hill running, increasing mileage to soon
- Biomechanical abnormalities of the spine, pelvis, leg length discrepancy, joint laxity all resulting in excessive stresses
TREATMENT CONSIDERATIONS
- Use of rest & ice to control pain, reduce inflammation and swelling
- Stretching the ITB to relax gluteus maximus (posterior) and tensor fascia latae (anterior) muscles
- Eliminate causative factors like hills, crowned or banked surfaces, decrease mileage and speed
- If contributing factors are due to excessive pronation (rolling inward) of the feet causing bio-mechanical
dysfunction, custom made stabilizing orthotics should be considered to support excessive movement
- Proper footwear to match foot structure and allow proper movement and support
- Use of foam rollers, massage sticks, & compression garments
- Get an analysis of your gait cycle (walking & running) by a biomechanical specialist
