Conditions

Iliotibial Band Syndrome

What is Iliotibial Band Syndrome(ITBS)?

The iliotibial band also referred to as the “Maissiat’s band”, is a lengthy portion of fascia that travels from your hip to your knee. Your iliotibial band is responsible for the movement of your hip and stabilises your knee. With Iliotibial Band Syndrome, your iliotibial band becomes inflamed and, as a result, remains tight. When you bend, your tight iliotibial band creates friction from the exterior of your knee and causes pain.

What are some of the reasons for Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

Iliotibial Band Syndrome occurs when there’s extreme friction as a result of your iliotibial band being too tight and in excessive contact with bone. Primarily, Iliotibial Band Syndrome develops from overuse of your knees. Typically, runners and cyclists are susceptible to Iliotibial Band Syndrome. But if you sit for long periods and engage in repetitive movement, you could develop Iliotibial Band Syndrome.

What are the signs Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome?

Pain on one side of your knee is usually the first sign of ITB syndrome. Other signs of Iliotibial Band Syndrome include:

  • Pins and needles sensation
  • Intense pain as a result of pressure
  • Popping or snapping sounds at your knee.

How is Iliotibial Band (ITB) Syndrome treated?

Initially, Dr Botha performs a physical examination to assess your movements and mobility. In some cases, the doctor assesses the condition of your ITB through an x-ray and MRI.

Other conservative treatments include:

  • Medication: Non-steroidal anti-inflammatory drugs (NSAIDs) relieve pain from Iliotibial Band Syndrome.
  • Physical therapy: A physical therapist assesses your mobility and may, for specific cases, suggest shoe orthotics. Your therapist will recommend strength and stability exercises such as hip muscle strengthening exercises.
  • Ice, stretch and rest: It helps to ice the area as this preserves the injured region for a week after signs of Iliotibial Band Syndrome start to occur. Your physical therapist will also insist that you stretch daily.

For severe cases of Iliotibial Band Syndrome, Dr Botha performs a mini-open surgical procedure to correct the problem; it is minimally invasive and has an excellent outcome if you rehab well after the surgery. It is a very delicate procedure that Dr Daan du Plessis taught her.

1What does IT band surgery involve?
Surgery involves releasing the iliotibial band by severing a tiny piece of the interior part of the band that presses against the leg bone when you bend at your knee. This procedure is known as surgical release that takes 20 minutes at most.
2Is surgery the only way of treating Iliotibial Band Syndrome?
Iliotibial Band Syndrome occurs due to overuse and is commonly seen in marathon runners, cyclists and people who walk long distances. Some common non-operative remedies to treat ITB pain include non-steroidal anti-inflammatories, physical therapy, stretching, icing the area for at least twenty minutes and rest. However, pain outside the knee over the joint can become so unbearable that surgery is the only way of treating the pain.
3Can you still exercise after finding out you have Iliotibial Band Syndrome?
The pain from ITB can be extremely severe, and it can become difficult to engage in sports or walk. When it becomes challenging to walk, you will have to seek urgent care to manage your pain and symptoms more appropriately.
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Healing is movement. Disease is inertia.
If you put the body in motion, you will change.

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