Iliotibial band syndrome is caused by excessive friction of the iliotibial band and the underlying bursa due to repetitive kneebending activities. Stand near a wall or a piece of sturdy exercise equipment for support. Evidence based treatment for iliotibial band friction syndrome. Here are some examples of typical rehabilitation exercises for your condition. It provides stability to the knee and hip and helps prevent dislocation of those joints. It band syndrome based on your symptoms, pattern of exercise and an examination. Iliotibial band syndrome itbs is the result of inflammation and irritation of. The tensor fasciae latae, the muscle that most directly controls tension on the iliotibial band, is the most promising target for stretch. It is strong and dense and invests the muscles of the thigh like a stocking. Iliotibial band friction syndrome after knee arthroplasty. Iliotibial band syndrome rehabilitation exercises you may do all of these exercises right away. When you have completed the strengthening exercises, repeat the stretching exercises to end the program. Iliotibial band friction syndrome itbfs is an inflammatory, nontraumatic, overuse injury of the knee affecting predominantly longdistance runners.
The muscle then inserts into your iliotibial band, which is a strong band of fascia that runs down the middle of the lateral aspect of your thigh to the tibial condyle just below your knee. Now that we know what were dealing with, lets get ready to combat the pain with a couple of focused stretches. Begin by lying on your back with your legs straight and a strap secured on one foot. Cross one leg in front of the other leg and bend down and touch your toes. The it band attaches to the intramuscular septum of the femur in a variety of places this is a natural variant of it band. Here, we share our 5 favourite itb band stretches, with easy to follow instructions and images to help you beat itb pain.
Iliotibial band syndrome strengthening exercises it band pdf. Cross one leg in front of the other leg and lean in the opposite direction from the front leg. Traditionally, foam rolling or stretching movements are touted as the cureall for a painful it band short for iliotibial band, which runs from the crest of your lateral. This condition causes hip pain or knee pain and while it tends to be a common running injury, it can also occur in nonrunners. A home exercise program that includes a flexibility and strength conditioning routine and modified training recommendations can aid in the treatment and prevention of further injury. Iliotibial band syndrome itbs is an overuse injury of the lateral knee that occurs primarily in runners and was first described in 1973.
The first method is to push your leg away from your head as shown. Itbs, also known as runners knee, happens when your iliotibial band itb becomes injured and causes pain. The iliotibial band is a thick band of fascia on the lateral aspect of the knee, extending from. After the warmup, do the stretching exercises shown on page 1 before moving on to the strengthening exercises. The it band is a thick band of fascia that lies over the outside of the thigh. Iliotibial band syndrom rehab exercises dr katherine coyner. This stretch targets the hip flexors psoas and quadriceps, while concurrently placing tension on the iliotibial band. It occurs when a tight iliotibial band causes friction over the hip and knee joints. Stretching the tensor fasciae latae and the iliotibial band.
Reach the arm on the side of the back leg over your head while you do this. Your iliotibial band it band is a thickened band of tissue that runs all the way down the length of your thigh. It band syndrome itbs is the result of the large band that runs from your pelvis to your shin getting too tight and. Before doing the following exercises, warm up with 5 to 10 minutes of low impact activity, like walking or riding a stationary bicycle. It band syndrome protocol ucsf sports medicine rehab. You can move your hands across the floor toward the front leg and you will feel more stretch on the outside of your thigh on the other side. It cannot contract as a muscle would, and we cannot stretch the it band.
Iliotibial band syndrome is one of the leading causes of lateral knee pain in runners. Immediate effect of static stretching versus myofascial release in iliotibial band tightness in long distance runners a randomized clinical trial. Iliotibial band syndrome is caused by exces sive friction of the. Often the deceleration of running down hills may lead to the excessive friction. Ive included this static stretch because it is a highly effective way to stretch the entire lateral line of your body including your it band.
It is a hip abducting muscle, so to stretch it you primarily have to adduct the hip. Produced to accompany iliotibial band syndrome itbs by james. Patients can gradually increase the repetition and frequency of. If you feel pain on the outside of your knee, you might have iliotibial band syndrome. It band syndrome itbs is the result of the large band that runs from your pelvis to your shin getting too tight and rubbing against your thigh bone. Heres what causes it, how to treat it, and how to prevent it. The iliotibial band is the tendon attachment of hip muscles into the upper leg tibia. The following set of stretches will address both the tensor fasciae latae and the iliotibial band. Iliotibial band selfmyofascial release smr is a selfadministered softtissue treatment for the lower body, usually using a foam roller or other trigger point massage tool. Each exercise listed after the first three should be.
By applying pressure strategically to the it band along the side of the upper leg, some people find they can cause this often painful and tight area to relax or release. The iliotibial band is a band of fibrous tissue that runs down the outside of the thigh. Iliotibial band stretches are a great way to reduce knee, hip and back pain and the symptoms of iliotibial band syndrome. Department of rehabilitation medicine newyorkpresbyterian. What do i need to know about iliotibial band syndrome itbs. This is an overuse injury, although direct trauma to the outer knee may cause the bursa to get inflamed. In the field of knee arthroplasty, itb traction syndrome has been reported following guided motion total knee arthroplasty, due to posterior femoral translation and internal tibial rotation during knee flexion. Cross one leg in front of the other leg and bend down and. Stand next to a rail or stable object and grasp with.
Suggested treatment for it band syndrome modify activities make sure to stretch gradually restart activities consider reducing or. Let your affected hip drop out to the side of your body and against the wall. Illiotibial band syndrome protocol princeton university. Raise your arm, on the same side as your aected hip, above your head. Quadriceps stretch using a towel, or band, lie on your stomach, attach the band to affected. Lie on your back and let the partner or therapist lift the non stretching leg out of the way then pull the stretching leg across to feel a deep stretch. This friction results in inflammation of the fascia. Iliotibial band syndrome itb syndrome is the most common cause of pain on the outside of the knee in runners and other sports people. You may do stretching exercises 1 through 5 and strengthening exercises 6 through 10 right away. If you are not steady on your feet, hold on to a chair or counter.
The iliotibial band itb is a band of tissue that runs along the outside of your hip, thigh and knee. Iliotibial band syndrome strengthening exercises it band. Iliotibial band syndrome rehabilitation exercises jaspal ricky. Pain develops where the iliotibial band itb courses over the lateral femoral epicondyle lfe, just proximal to the lateral joint line. Background description o it band is a longdensefibrous band of tissue that extends from the hip down to the lateral aspect.
This is probably the most effective stretch for the iliotibial band and tensor fascia latae muscle but it does require some assistance. We include a list of stretches and exercises that can help treat and prevent this condition. Please stop stretching and rolling your it band rei co. Slowly push hips away from the rail until a stretch is felt. Treatment includes activity modification, stretching, and strengthening the affected. The client is standing near a wall and is using the arm closest to the wall to provide support. Put your weight on your aected hip and cross the other leg in front of it. Supine hamstring stretch with strap supine itb stretch with strap. Itb syndrome treatment for runners return to running.
Top 3 stretches for the it band iliotibial band physical therapy diy duration. The cooldown in the warmup and cooldown for runners workout provides a flexibility sequence that is focused initially on stretching the muscles of the torso, gluteals, hamstrings and hip flexors, prior to introducing it band specific stretches. Cross one leg over the other into a figure 4 position. Stretching your iliotibial it band is the best way to prevent iliotibial band friction syndrome itbs. The aim of this study was to assess the effect of antipronation orthotic insoles on pain and hip and knee kinematics in runners with overpronation and iliotibial band syndrome. It is frequently related to hip weakness and instability standing on one leg. Stand on the leg with the affected hip, with that leg close to the wall. The first three can be started immediately after the injury. Learn about iliotibial band syndrome and how it is treated. Iliotibial band itb friction syndrome is known to be one of the main causes of lateral knee pain related to an overuse injury. Treatment includes activity modification, stretching, and strengthening. Iliotibial it band stretches to treat itbs verywell fit. The deep fascia of the thigh is known as the fascia lata. The band may overdevelop, tighten, and rub across the hipbone or the outer part of the knee.
It extends from the outside of your pelvis hip bone to the outside of your tibia shin bone. Lean away from the wall, letting your aected hip press. Theres no need to endure the torture of rolling your it band after every run. It band syndrome rehabilitation exercises the physical therapy.
450 1228 1220 1209 1138 206 1306 68 1501 345 211 734 807 1527 1190 673 1446 80 608 643 962 1495 434 283 693 561 434 1004 1317 1452 200 427 35 634 412