Iliotibial band syndrome or “runner's knee” refers to a set of signs and symptoms that define the involvement of this thick band of connective tissue that runs from the iliac bone of the pelvis to the outer part of the tibia, just below the knee, running along the lateral side of the thigh.
The term comes from:
- Ribbon: Referring to a band.
- Ilium: Origin in the ilium or iliac bone.
- Tibial: Insertion into the tibia.
How do I know if I have iliotibial band syndrome?
The main sign that may make us suspect a dysfunction in the iliotibial band is lateral knee pain., very common in runners and cyclists. It is a pain that usually begins gradually and increases with physical or sports activity.
Sometimes some people feel a rubbing or friction sensation due to inflammation of this tissue.
If we palpate the lateral side of the knee and even above it, along the lateral side of the thigh, we can reproduce the discomfort.
Finally, activities such as climbing stairs or running downhill, increasing the intensity, duration and frequency of workouts can increase pain.
If you have doubts about your pain on the lateral side of your knee and want to know the correct diagnosis, it is best to put yourself in the hands of your trusted physiotherapist and he will be able to perform a more thorough examination or recommend an imaging test, if necessary, to rule out any other injuries.
What should I do if I have “runner’s knee”?
Once an accurate diagnosis of this injury has been reached, the most important thing is to receive physiotherapy treatment aimed at controlling pain and inflammation. To do this, at the Evolution Advanced Physiotherapy clinic we have tools that can help us generate changes in the affected tissues and improve the symptoms of the patient suffering from iliotibial band. Diathermy, manual therapy, neuromodulation or progressive and prescribed exercise are some of the therapeutic options that will return the patient to their sports activity.
Below, we leave an explanatory video about this injury and some exercises to reduce pain.
Is it necessary to stop training if I have pain on the side of my knee?
Pain on the side of the knee is not always associated with damage to the iliotibial band, but there are other structures such as the external lateral ligament or the external meniscus that may be affected, so differential diagnosis is essential to determine what to do and how to approach recovery.
If we focus on the “runner’s knee” injury, complete rest is not an option, but it is true that reducing the training or activity load, as well as sleeping properly or staying hydrated, will enhance the therapeutic effects of our therapy.
In many cases, returning to full activity is a little more complicated because, despite believing that you have recovered, the tissue responds with pain again. Don't be afraid! It is part of the healing process, which is not always linear, but with a little more time and treatment, the signs and symptoms will eventually disappear.
Can hip pain occur due to iliotibial band involvement?
Yes, as we have previously mentioned, the iliotibial band is a band of connective tissue that is inserted into the knee and originates, in its most proximal part, in the iliac crest, having direct connections with the tensor fascia lata and gluteus maximus muscles.
Therefore, when the tensor fascia lata contracts it pulls on the band, giving stability to the knee and hip, in addition to controlling the movements of the latter.
Due to this direct myofascial connection when the iliotibial band becomes excessively inflamed or is dysfunctional it can generate tension in the hip and awakening the pain, which may radiate or refer to the gluteal area.
In more severe cases, this affectation of the entire fascial system (gluteal-tensor-iliotibial band) can affect the biomechanical pattern of walking, as a defense mechanism against pain, causing limping and worsening the patient's clinical condition.
It is important for a patient who presents with a limp due to this injury to seek appropriate treatment since ignoring the problem or continuing to perform activities that worsen the symptoms can lead to further complications.
Physiotherapy in Alcalá de Henares for the treatment of iliotibial band or lateral knee pain.
Physiotherapy plays a fundamental role in the treatment of sports injuries, especially those of the iliotibial band.
At Evolution Clinic we are specialists in fascial work and we offer quality treatments for a successful recovery of our patient., with the aim of improving their quality of life and returning them to sports practice in the best conditions and as soon as possible.
Do not hesitate to Contact us and put yourself in our hands to start feeling better.
