Iliotibial Band Syndrome
Find out more about iliotibial band syndrome and how Torrance Pain Institute can help you manage your pain, improve your quality of life, and get back to doing the things you enjoy.
What is iliotibial band syndrome?
Iliobital band syndrome also known as IT band syndrome is a condition that causes pain on the outer part of the knee. It is most common among athletes, especially distance runners.
Your iliotibial band is a strong and thick band of tissue that runs from your hip bones to your shinbone. This band is responsible for coordination muscle function and stabilizing the knee during running. If the iliotibial band gets too tight from overuse, it can lead to knee pain and swelling.
What causes iliotibial band syndrome?
Certain activities and physical factors can cause iliotibial band syndrome such as the following:
- Long-distance running – Marathon or long-distance runners tend to overuse their knees which leads to inflammation and pain of the IT band.
- Leg-length discrepancy, abnormal pelvic tilt, and “bowlegs” – These physical factors also contribute to excessive stretching of the IT band which leads to iliotibial band syndrome
What are the symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome?
The primary symptom of iliotibial band syndrome is lateral knee pain. You may feel pain on one or both of your knees. An aching and burning feeling may sometimes spread up the thigh to the hip. Your pain is most severe when you are walking or running. Pain may also be felt when you flex or extend your knee, especially when going up and down the stairs.
What is the treatment for iliotibial band syndrome?
Our pain management doctor treats patients using an ultrasound-guided iliotibial band injection. During this procedure, corticosteroid medication is injected into the affected area to decrease pain and inflammation. The IT band injection may provide relief for 1-6 months depending on the amount of inflammation present. Contact our office today to learn more about this type of treatment!