What is Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome?
Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBS) is a common cause of lateral leg pain in runners, that’s why sometimes it is called the “runner’s knee“. The ilio-tibial band (ITB) is a thickened band of tissue that runs from your buttock along the outside of your thigh to your shin bone (tibia). It allows you to straighten your knee as well as move your hip out to the side. ITBS is caused by friction between the ITB and a bit of bone prominence at the lower end of your thigh bone (lateral femoral epicondyle).
Symptoms of ITBS
Signs and symptoms include pain outside of knee. Dull Ache down the side of knee gradually. Aching starts at the end of running session and disappears when stop running. However with continued exercise, the pain may become worse, starting earlier in your run, or even when you walk or climb stairs.
Causes of ITBS
ITBFS is an overuse injury. The ITB becomes inflamed because of repeated rubbing on the underlying thigh bone.
You are more likely to get ITBFS if you: run long distances or downhill. have poor movement (biomechanics) in your lower legs. have poor core stability at your pelvis. have poor flexibility in your leg muscles
Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome Treatment
Treatment for runner’s knee include medicines, anti-inflammatory injections and physiotherapy.