ITB Syndrome

What is iliotibial band syndrome?

The iliotibial band (IT band) is a long flat fibrous band that runs all the way down the outside of the thigh connecting the tensor fasciae latae muscle (originates in the pelvis) to the anterior tibia just below the knee. Most muscle/tendon units are made up primarily of muscle with smaller tendon attachments. However, the tensor fasciae latae/IT band is an unusual musculotendinous pair because the muscle is very small as compared to the long length of the IT band.

It is specifically this anomaly that creates the friction problem down in the knee area. If the IT band is tight, the IT band can rub and snap across the lateral femoral epicondyle when the knee moves from a flexed position into an extended position. This is exacerbated when the athlete is weightbearing as in the activities of running, cycling, and jumping.

Who gets iliotibial band syndrome?

Athletes who use a lot of flexion and extension in their sport are most at risk for iliotibial band syndrome. These would include athletes in the sports of long distance running, cycling, volleyball, basketball, and weight lifting.

Symptoms

What are the classifications of iliotibial band syndrome?

Iliotibial band syndrome can be classified as either mild, moderate, or severe depending on the intensity and duration of the symptoms. The pain is usually localized over the lateral condyle of the femur just above the lateral joint line of the knee. The pain may also radiate either up the IT band to the hip or down the IT band to its insertion on the tibia.

Athletes who experience pain towards the end of their activity and in which they are still able to continue would be classified as having a mild iliotibial band syndrome. The pain may be more noticeable during the phase of heal strike through mid-stance when the IT band is in its tightest position between the greater trochanter of the femur and the lateral femoral epicondyle.

As the condition worsens, the athlete may feel pain earlier and earlier during his/her activity. The pain will eventually affect the athlete’s ability to continue. The athlete may also begin to feel pain during weight-bearing activities such as walking down a flight of stairs. This would be classified as a moderate iliotibial band syndrome.

The condition is classified as severe when the pain restricts all running and becomes constant throughout all activities during the day.

Causes

What causes iliotibial band syndrome?

As an athlete uses his/her legs in repetitive motions, the IT band can become tight. Athletes often focus on stretching the muscles of the hip and thigh, but stretching the IT band is not often included in an athlete’s general warm-up protocol. This structure can become tight without the athlete realizing the problem until the pain hits.

A number of factors can predispose an athlete to iliotibial band syndrome including the following:

• Excessive pronation of the feet
• Leg-length discrepancy
• Prominent greater trochanter of the femur
• Training errors such as excessive distance in a single run, increasing mileage too quickly, inadequate warm-up, and running on the same side of a crowned road

Excessive pronation of the feet means that the athlete’s foot or feet roll inward towards each other when he/she walks or runs which translates upwards into the knee. This places additional strain on the IT band to control this excessive internal rotation and accompanying adduction with each foot step.This can easily be determined by watching the individual walk a short distance from behind the athlete. If the medial ankle bones roll downwards and towards each other, then the athlete is a pronator. This problem of over-pronation can be easily corrected. If it is only a minor problem it can normally be corrected by visiting a specialist sports shop where they should be able to advise you on a pair of running shoes with built in support to alter your foot position. If the pronation is more marked you may need to invest in a good pair of orthotics which are placed into the shoes and trainers to correct the foot position.

Leg-length discrepancy and a prominent greater trochanter are innate to the individual. A sports medical professional can measure an athlete for leg-length discrepancy. If the athlete does have one leg shorter than the other, the athlete can be referred for corrective shoes. Unfortunately, there is nothing that can be done for a prominent greater trochanter.

Training errors can also be easily corrected. The athlete needs to ensure that he/she includes a sufficient and gradual warm-up prior to intense activities. If the athlete is a runner, the athlete should pay specific attention to the level of the surfaces upon which he/she runs. Those who run on the edge of the road where one foot is then lower are also vulnerable to the condition. This is because the foot hitting the lower part of the road has to travel a further distance each time it hits the ground. This is the same effect as having a leg length difference.

Prevention

What can I do to prevent iliotibial band syndrome?

One of the most effective ways to prevent iliotibial band syndrome is to keep the IT band stretched and loose. Although this can be done manually by a sports medicine professional, it can also be accomplished through the use of a foam roll.

The foam roll should be placed on a carpeted surface perpendicular to the athlete. The body weight of the athlete provides the force to stretch the IT band. The athlete lies down on the side of the injured leg placing the foam roll at the level of the knee. The athlete then slowly pushes his/her body weight across the foam roll until the roll is at the level of his/her hip. Then the athlete reverses directions and slowly rolls back across the foam roll until the foam roll is back at the knee.

The athlete should know that this can be an uncomfortable exercise because of the pain experienced when the tight IT band rolls on the foam roll. If it is too uncomfortable, then the athlete can take off some of his/her body weight off of the roll by moving the top leg back or by lifting the upper body up a bit with the arms thereby reducing the amount of weight on the foam roll.

Treatment

What can I do to treat iliotibial band syndrome?

The athlete needs to understand that continuing to compete and exercise with iliotibial band syndrome will make the condition worse. Because iliotibial band syndrome is a repetitive overuse-type of injury, the first thing the athlete needs to do is rest the knee. Rest will allow the inflammatory process to run its course eliminating the inflammation and swelling in the area.

If complete rest is not an option, then the athlete’s activities should be modified to reduce the amount of weightbearing flexion/extension of the knee. For runners, this might include resting from running, but getting a cardiovascular workout by swimming or using a bike. For volleyball or basketball players, this might include reducing the number of jumping/landing drills during a practice.

At the clinic, I treat ITB syndrome with a combination of active release technique, assisted stretching, and occasionally the use of modalities. Active Release Technique and Graston Techniques are effective treatment options to decrease tension in the TFL and associated IT band. In addition, I recommend ice massage. An ice cup can easily be made at home by freezing water in a Styrofoam cup. When the water has frozen, remove the ice cup from the freezer, peel off the top inch of the Styrofoam cup, and then rub away the sharp top edges by melting the edges against the athlete’s hand.

After placing a towel under the knee, the athlete can massage the tender area by gently applying pressure beginning at the knee and slowly moving the ice cup towards the hip through the painful area. This can be done for 10 minutes both before and after exercise/practice.

Stretching the IT band with the foam roller is the key to eventually reducing the pain. Stretching the IT band daily will gradually loosen the tight tissue.

When can I return to sports?

Ideally, the athlete should have pain-free weight-bearing range of motion of the knee before returning to sports. Continuing to play or compete through pain will only elongate the healing process.

If you suspect that you have iliotibial band syndrome, it is critical to seek the urgent consultation of a local sports injuries doctor for appropriate care.