MBS Is “One In A
Million”
Top 10
Mistakes At The Gym
Eating Too Little Calories Could
Cause Weight Gain...
I Have A Dream…
Avoid
Injury When Practicing Yoga And Pilates
Iliotibial Band Syndrome
In The Beginning...
Michael’s Body Scenes “All Star Of The Quarter”
ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME
By StephenQuestell RPTA
Advanced Physical Therapy Assoc.
 What is iliotibial
band syndrome? Iliotibial band
syndrome is inflammation and pain on the outer side of the knee. The
iliotibial band is a layer of connective tissue. It begins at a
muscle near the outer side of your hip, travels down the outer side
of your thigh, crosses the outer side of the knee, and attaches on
the outer side of your shine bone (tibia).
How does it occur?
Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when this band
repeatedly rubs over the bump of the thighbone (femur) near the
knee, causing the band to be irritated. This most often occurs in
running.
This condition can result from
Having a tight iliotibial band
Having tight muscles in your hip, pelvis, or leg
Your legs not being the same length
Running on sloped surfaces
Running in shoes that
have a lot of wear on the outside of the heel
What are the symptoms?
The symptom is pain on the outer side of
the knee.
How is it diagnosed?
Your doctor or Physical Therapist can
examine your knee and find tenderness where the band passes over the
bump on the outer side of your knee. Your iliotibial band might be
tight.
How is it treated?
Treatment includes the following
Place an ice pack over your iliotibial band for 15 to 20
minutes every 2 to 4 hours for 2 to 3 days or until the pain goes
away
You can also do an ice massage. Massage your knee with ice by
freezing water in a Styrofoam cup. Peel the top of the cup away to
expose the ice and hold onto the bottom of the cup while you rub
ice over your knee
Do the stretching exercises recommended by your physical
therapist
Additional treatment
may be required if the pain does not go away in 2 weeks. You will
then need to go to physical therapy on a regular basis for about 2
to 4 weeks
While your knee is healing, you will need to
change your work out and activities so the condition does not become
worst.
When can I return to my regular activities?
You can return to your normal activities when
you have been taught proper mechanic so this should not happen again
or when you can:
 Fully straighten and bend your knee without pain
Your knee has gained normal strength compared to the unaffected
one
You are able to jog straight ahead without limping
You are able to sprint straight ahead without limping
You are able to do 45 and 90 degree cuts
You are able to do 90 degree cuts
You are able to do 10 & 20 yard figure eight runs
You are able to jump
on both legs without pain and especially jump on the effected leg
without pain
How can I prevent iliotibial band syndrome?
By learning from your experience and following
thru your home exercise program that will be given to you from your
therapist.
Top of Page
Back to Home Page
 |
