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Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)
ITBS is one of the most common causes of lateral knee pain in runners!

Cause

It is caused by repetitive forward and backward shifting of the IT band across the lateral femoral condyle resulting in inflammation.
Risk Factors

Training Errors
Anatomical Factors
Biomechanical Factors
Sudden change in training intensity
Poor shoe support
Lower body strength imbalance
Increase angle of knee flexion at heal strike
Genu Recurvatum or Genu Varum
Tight Iliotibial Band
Weak hip abductors
Signs and Symptoms

Pain predominantly over lateral femoral condyle

Swelling may be visible over the lateral knee

Joint crepitus and/or reduced range of motion
Special Tests
The Ober test is the most commonly used test to assess tightness of the Iliotibial band.
Treatment

Acute Phase
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Ice
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NSAIDs
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Cortisone injection

Corrective Treatment Phase
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Physical Therapy
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Stretching
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Foam Rolling

Long-Term Maintenance
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Change shoes
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Progressive training load
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Stretch/foam roll regularly
Thank You For Visiting!
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Watts, E. (2016). Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome. Ortho Bullets. https://www.orthobullets.com/knee-and-sports/3019/iliotibial-band-friction-syndrome.
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Lavine, R. (2010). Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome. Current Reviews in Musculoskeletal Medicine 3 (1-4), 18-22. doi:10.1007/s12178-010-9061-8.
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