Iliotibial band (IT band) syndrome is a condition of the knee that causes pain on the outside of the knee. It most commonly happens to distance runners or those new to exercise.
Your IT band is a strong, thick band of tissue that runs down the outside of your thigh. It extends all the way from your hip bones to the top of your shinbone. When you bend and extend your leg, this band moves over the outer lower edge of your thighbone. With repeated bending and extending of the knee, this movement of the IT band may irritate nearby tissues, causing pain.
If you're a runner, you might be more likely to develop iliotibial band syndrome if you:
o Run on uneven or downhill terrain
o Run in worn-out shoes
o Run many miles per day
o Have legs that slope a little inward from your knee to your ankle (bowlegged)
o Run in cold weather
These might include:
Limiting activities that make your knee pain worse for a while (like running), and returning to these activities slowly
Icing the outside of your knee
Taking over-the-counter pain medicines
Getting corticosteroid shots to decrease inflammation
Making changes to your activity, like lowering your bicycle seat for cycling or improving your running form
Practicing special exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your hip and your knee
You may find it helpful to work with a physical therapist as well.
TREATMENT
These changes help most people with IT band syndrome:
o Limiting activities that make your knee pain worse for a while (like running), and returning to these activities slowly
o Icing the outside of your knee
o Taking over-the-counter pain medicines
o Getting corticosteroid shots to decrease inflammation
o Making changes to your activity, like lowering your bicycle seat for cycling or improving your running form
o Practicing special exercises to stretch and strengthen the muscles around your hip and your knee
o Work with a physical therapist
Your healthcare provider might advise surgery if you still have significant symptoms after 6 months of trying these other therapies. Several different surgical choices exist, including one that removes the part of the iliotibial band that moves over the femur. You can discuss all your surgical choices with your healthcare provider.
If you still have significant symptoms after 6 months of trying these other therapies, surgery may be suggested.
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