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Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Definition :
Iliotibial Band Syndrome is one of the leading causes of
lateral knee pain in runners. The iliotibial band is a superficial thickening of
tissue on the outside of the thigh, extending from the outside of the pelvis,
over the hip and knee, and inserting just below the knee. The band is crucial to
stabilizing the knee during running, moving from behind the femur to the front
of it during the gait cycle. The continual rubbing of the band over the bone,
combined with the repeated flexion and extension of the knee during running may
cause the area to become inflamed or the band itself may become irritated.
Symptoms:
The symptoms range from a stinging sensation just above
the knee joint on the outside of the knee or along the entire length of the
iliotibial band to swelling to a thickening of the tissue at the point where the
band moves over the femur. The pain may not occur immediately, but will worsen
during activity when the foot strikes the ground if you overstride or run
downhill, and may persist afterward. A single workout of excessive distance or a
rapid increase in weekly mileage can aggravate the condition.
Causes of Injury:
Iliotibial Band Syndrome is the result of both poor
training habits and anatomical abnormalities.
- Running on a banked surface, such as the shoulder of
a road or an indoor track, causes the downhill leg to bend slightly inward
and causes extreme stretching of the band against the femur.
- Inadequate warm-up or cool-down.
- Running excessive distances or increasing mileage
too quickly can aggravate or cause injury.
- Anatomical abnormalities such as bowlegs or
tightness about the iliotibial band.
Short Term Treatment:
To treat functional problems resulting from poor training:
- Decrease mileage.
- Ice knee after activity.
- Alternate running direction on a pitched surface.
- Lateral sole wedge to lessen pressure on the knee.
- Stretching to tolerance by either SELF
STRETCHING or OUTSIDE FORCE APPLICATION.
Long Term Treatment:
To treat structural abnormalities such as a natural
tightness in the band:
- Stretching, especially before working out, to make
the band more flexible and less susceptible to injury.
- In extreme cases, surgery to relieve tightness in
the band.
Both structural and functional problems need to be
considered when treating Iliotibial Band Syndrome.
Information and graphics provided by the
American Running and Fitness Association.
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