Iliotibial band syndrome

Alternate names

• Iliotibial band friction syndrome
• IT band syndrome
• ITB syndrome
• Iliotibial band friction syndrome

What is iliotibial band?

The iliotibial band (ITB) is a tendon that runs along the outside of the leg and connects from the top of the pelvic bone to just below the knee.

File:Iliotibial Band Syndrome.jpg

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Causes

Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when the ITB becomes swollen and irritated from rubbing against the bone on the outside of the hip or knee.

There is a fluid-filled sac, called a bursa, between the bone and the tendon on the outside part of your leg. The sac provides lubrication between the tendon and the bone. The rubbing of the tendon can cause pain and swelling of the bursa, the tendon, or both.

Risk factors

This injury often affects runners and cyclists. Bending the knee over and over during these activities can create irritation and swelling of the tendon.

Other causes

Other causes include:

• Being in poor physical condition
• Having a tight ITB
• Poor form with your activities
• Not warming up before exercising
• Having bowed legs
• Changes in activity levels
• Imbalance of the core muscles

Signs and symptoms

If you have ITB syndrome you may notice:

• Mild pain on the outside of your knee or hip when you begin to exercise, which goes away as you warm up.
• Over time the pain feels worse and doesn't go away during exercise.
• Running down hills or sitting for a long time with your knee bent may make pain worse.

Diagnosis

• ITB syndrome can be diagnosed from the exam and your description of the symptoms.

If imaging tests are needed, they may include any of the following:

• Ultrasound
• MRI

Management

• Medicines or applying ice to relieve pain
• Stretching and strengthening exercises
• Injection of cortisone in the painful area to relieve pain and swelling

Surgery

• Most people do not need surgery. But if other treatments do not work, surgery may be recommended. During surgery, part of your ITB, the bursa, or both will be removed. Or, the ITB will be lengthened. This prevents the ITB from rubbing against the bone at the side of your knee.

References

• Andrew Hadeed; David C. Tapscott. Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome[Updated Dec12, 2020]. In StatPearls[Internet]. Available at: https://www.ncbi.nlm.nih.gov/books/NBK542185/

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