1. By: Cassie and Heather

2. What is it?
 Iliotibial band syndrome is an overuse problem that is
often seen in bicyclists, runners, and long-distance
walkers.

3. Anatomy of the iliotibial band (ITB)
 The ITB is a long tendon which means that it connects
muscles to bone. It attaches to a short muscle at the
top of the pelvis called the tensor fascia lata. The ITB
runs down the side of the thigh and connects to the
shinbone just below the middle of your knee. You can
feel this tendon on the outside of your thigh when you
tighten your leg muscles.

4. Anatomy continued
 To cushion the body tissues a fluid filled sac called a
bursa is present. These are there when muscles and
tendons glide over each other. A bursa rests between
the femoral condoyle and the ITB.T his bursa allows
the tendon to glide smoothly back and forth as the
knee bends and straightens.

6. Diagnosis
 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
that may have occurred in the past. X-rays may be taken to
make sure that there are no other injuries that could be
adding to the problem. Generally, no swelling is visible.
The snapping sensation usually cannot be heard.
 Pain on the outside of the knee can be caused from
conditions other than ITB syndrome. Your doctor will
perform an examination of the knee and will look at your
entire leg. You may want to take the shoes that you use to
run or walk with you to your appointment

7. Risk Factors
 preexisting iliotibial band tightness
 high weekly mileage
 time spent walking or running on a track
 interval training
 muscular weakness of the knee, hip, or pelvis.

8. Signs and Symptoms
 Knee pain that worsens with movement and can be
less pain when relaxing the knee
 Weakness in hip abduction
 Tender points in the gluteal area.

9. Why is it happening to me?
 Mechanical problems – over pronate, leg length
discrepancies, or bowlegged
 Tight or wide IT band
 Weak hip muscles – gluteus medius
 Overuse of the IT band

10. Interventions
 Rest
 Heat and stretching before exercising
 After exercise use cold modalities – cold pack or ice
massage
 Iontophoressis and cryotherapry like I said above
 Physical therapy to modify pts exercising and proper
stretching for pt
 PT or PTA can apply ultrasound or do deep tissue
massage

11. Stretch Examples
1 2
3

12. Functional Training
 Knee pains worsens when walking/running.
 ADL function would include, standing up and sitting
down, getting in and out of bed, and walking/running
without pain.

13. Surgery
 Rarely indicated
 Most common procedure – resection of posterior
portion of ITB.

14. Reference
E-Medicine from WebMT. Iliotibial band syndrome.
Retrieved November 21, 2010, from
http://emedicine.medscape.com/article/307850-
treatment
Iliotibial band syndrome. Retrieved November 19, 2010,
from http://www.eorthopod.com/content/iliotibial-
band-syndrome.com
Mama’s Health. Iliotibal band syndrome. Retrieved
November 21, 2010, from
http://www.mamashealth.com/syndrome/itbs.asp