Iliotibial Band Syndrome - Symptoms and Treatment
What is Iliotibial Band Syndrome?
The iliotibial band is a thick band of fascia on the outside of the knee, extending from the outside of the pelvis, over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. Iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome is a common cause of pain on the outside of the knee. It is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain in runners.
The band is crucial to stabilising the knee during running, as it moves from behind the femur to the front of the femur during activity. The continual rubbing of the band combined with the repeated flex and extension of the knee during running may cause the area to become inflamed.
ITB Causes & Symptoms
Many cyclists, runners and hikers suffer with pain on the outside of the knee. This knee pain is often worse with downhill activities, especially downhill running, compression can occur between the ITB and the underlying thigh bone. This can lead to pain on the outside of the knee. It also often occurs from a change in activity levels. It can occur as a result of training errors such as:
Increasing mileage or speed too quickly
Excessive hill training
Insufficient rest days
Poor equipment e.g old runners or incorrect saddle height on bike
Or anatomical/biomechanical errors such as:
Excessive changes in the arch of your foot profile when weight-bearing
Weak muscles around the hip
Tight muscles on the outside of the leg
High arch or fallen arches - you may benefit from assessment to see if orthotics would be suitable for you.
ITB Treatment
Trigger points or tight areas of muscle are often found in the gluteal muscles, the tensor fascia lata and the quadriceps muscle at the front of the thigh. These muscles may benefit from trigger point dry needling or massage. Correct rehabilitation of these muscles is so important to ensure your speedy return to sport and a reduction in your knee pain.
Our Chartered Physiotherapists here at Ballsbridge Physiotherapy can assess the function of these muscles, discuss your training programme to address all the factors contributing to this problem and prescribe a treatment plan and exercises to help ensure the correct use of muscles. Contact us or Book an online appointment.
Physiotherapy
We specialise in the treatment and prevention of injuries and conditions. If you are suffering with any health aliments that you feel we could help you with, get in touch today. We provide treatment for a wide age range from 9 years to 90 years old.