ORTHOPEDICS/LEG, FOOT & ANKLE
Inflammation of the ilio-tibial band is termed Ilio-tibial band syndrome, or ITBS,
It is a fibrous tissue dense band that crosses down the leg outside.
The ilio-tibial (IT) band starts from above the hip joint and prolongs to the shinbone (tibia) outer side to attach finally to the knee joint.
The IT band works in correlation with several thigh muscles providing steadiness to the knee joint outside.
The ITBS Causes
The Ilio-tibial band syndrome (ITBS) happens when there is an irritation to this fibrous tissue band.
The irritation commonly arises at the knee joint outside where the lateral condyle is situated at the femur (thigh) end bone.
When the IT is inflamed, it does not slide easily resulting pain related to this movement.
The ITBS Signs
As said before, the ilio-tibial band function is double: first to providing the knee steadiness and second to assisting in the knee joint curving.
When irritated, the knee joint movement becomes painful.
Frequently, this pain worsens with recurrent movements and necessitate relaxation to resolve..
ITBS Common signs: Pain over the knee joint outside, Inflammation, uneasiness, snapping and popping feeling sensation at curving the knee.
Endurance activity usually develops an ilio-tibial band syndrome. (such as marathon runners who increase their mileage).
ITBS Therapy
The ilio-tibial band syndrome therapy typically starts with some efforts to control the inflammation.
Some of the therapy first steps are: relaxation, ice applying, anti-inflammatory medicines and a cortisone injection into the inflamed zone.
Once the severe indications are controlled, patients should start making some efforts to increase hip and knee flexibility and strength.
A physical therapist assistance may help developing an adequate therapy strategy.
If all above measures fail to relieve the ITBS uneasiness, a surgery will be a good alternative (but only in seldom conditions). In such states, the IT band can be surgically extended to allow less friction over the assemblage on the knee joint outside.