IT Band Syndrome
What is IT Band Syndrome
Do you have a pain running along the outside of your leg, and you can’t figure out what’s causing it? Or maybe you have been diagnosed with Iliotibial Band Syndrome, and you are thinking, what’s next? If you want to know how IT band syndrome develops, what type of problems it causes, and what treatment options are available, you’ve come to the right place! Just what is the iliotibial band? The iliotibial band (usually called IT band) is a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs from your hip and attaches below your knee, at the outside edge of the tibia (shinbone). Your IT band works with several of your thigh muscles to provide stability to the outside of your knee joint. You can feel the IT band on the outside of your thigh when you tighten your leg muscles.
What causes IT Band Syndrome? IT Band Syndrome occurs when this band of fibrous tissue becomes irritated, inflamed, and tender. The irritation usually occurs over the outside of the knee joint, at the end of the femur (thigh) bone. The IT band crosses bone and muscle at this point; between these structures is a bursa, which should facilitate a smooth gliding motion. However, the IT band does not glide easily when inflamed, and this lack of harmony causes that persistent pain that is all too familiar to those with IT Band Syndrome.
What are the symptoms of IT Band Syndrome? Iliotibial Band Syndrome symptoms range from a stinging sensation just above your knee joint (on the outside of your knee or along the entire length of the IT band) to swelling or thickening of the tissue at the point where the band moves over your femur. You may not notice pain while you are active – if often becomes noticeable AFTER activity and continues to persist. The pain can also feel like a dull ache or a throbbing sensation. Pain may radiate up the side of your thigh and down the side of your leg. People sometimes report a snapping or popping sensation on the outside of the knee. You may also have pain below your knee, where the IT band actually attaches to your shinbone. IT Band Syndrome can also strike where the IT band connects to the hip, though this is usually not due to a sports injury. Pain at the hip due to IT band problems most often affects the elderly.
How did I develop Iliotibial Band Syndrome? Have you begun running more miles, or taken up a new sport, like tennis? People who suddenly increase their level of activity often develop Iliotibial Band Syndrome. An example would be a runner who suddenly increases her mileage, or a bicyclist who goes from biking on flat surfaces to pumping up hills. Other causes aren’t so much about what you DO, as how your body is constructed and how you MOVE during everyday activities. You may be prone to IT Band Syndrome if one of your legs is slightly longer than the other, your pelvis tilts to the side, your feet rotate too far inward (overpronation), or you are “bow legged.” What’s more, if you have tight or inflexible gluteal(butt) or thigh muscles, it may make the problem worse. Many physical therapists use videotape analysis to uncover these biomechanical problems. Iliotibial Band Syndrome also commonly occurs during pregnancy. During this time: 1) the connective tissues loosen and 2) the woman gains weight. This is quite a double whammy, as each one of these processes adds more pressure to the IT band area! Find out more about how Pilates can help during Pregnancy here.
How will my doctor know I have IT Band Syndrome? The diagnosis of ITB syndrome can usually be made without any complicated tests. Your doctor will take a history of the problem and ask about any other injuries you may have had in the past. X-rays may be taken to make sure that you have no other injuries that could be adding to the problem. Pain on the outside of your knee can be caused from other conditions, too. Your doctor will examine your knee and look at your entire leg. It’s a good idea to take the shoes that you use for running or walking to your appointment. If there is doubt about the diagnosis, or you are still having problems after treating the area to decrease symptoms, your doctor may order a magnetic resonance imaging (MRI) scan. An MRI scan is a special test that uses magnetic waves to create images of the soft tissues inside and around your knee. Regular x-rays only show the bones around the knee. The MRI can show if there are problems with your soft tissues, such as cartilage and ligaments.
How do I treat Iliotibial Band Syndrome? You definitely want to get some relief from that nagging pain, and there are a number of steps you can take. Click here to find out more about IT Band Treatment, which begins with proper footwear, icing the area of pain, and a stretching routine. You will also need to rest in order for the inflammation to decrease. (I know, probably not what you wanted to hear!) Start slowly or progressively when you take up a new sport or begin exercising, limit excessive exercise if you start to feel pain, and incorporate low-impact activities like Pilates. Performing an IT Band Stretch is one of the most essential things you can do to help relieve the pain. Click on this article to find out which stretches can help your IT Band Syndrome right now!
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