Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome

Iliotibial (IT) Band Friction Syndrome is caused by increased friction between the IT band and the lateral femoral condyle. It is a common  cause of lateral knee pain in runners. It is the most common cause of lateral knee pain in long-distance runners and has an increase incidence with running downhill.

Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome has been related to  malignment including: genu varum, tibial vara, heel varus, and forefoot supination.

Patients tieh xcz typically complain of pain on the outside of their knee which may radiate down the leg. The have tenderness above the knee joint and often have increased pain with slight knee flexion. Symptoms generally start after running several miles. The pain-free period with running typically shortens over time.

Treatment options for Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome include:

• Change running activities such as running down hill, and running in the same direction on the track. Change stride length. Cyclics can change seat height.
• Ice, NSAIDs
• IT band and hip external rotator stretching and strengthening. 
• Specialized shoe orthotics can be benefical depending on the patients overall limb alignment.
• Cortisone injections or iontophoresis.
• Surgery should only be considered only after failure of prolonged non-operative treatment. Surgical treatment is a resection of the portion of the iliotibial band that is causing the friction on the lateral femoral condyle.

Risks of surgery include but are not limited to: Infection, Neurovascular Injury, Hardware failure, Pain unchanged or worse than before surgery, Stiffness, Incisional scar (cosmesis), CRPS, Numbness surrounding the incision, Incomplete relief of pain, Incomplete return of function, Need for further surgery, blood clots (DVT), pulmonary embolus (PE), and the Risks of anesthesia including heart attack, stroke and death. Although complications can occur they are uncommon and most patients are satisfied with their surgical outcomes. You should always discuss any concerns that you have about surgery with your surgeon and ensure that you have a surgeon that you trust and are confident in.

Further information about Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome can be found at the following sites:

• eOrthopod

Every person and their particular circumstances are different so the treatment for your knee may be different than those discussed above. Please read this information carefully. Write down any questions that you have about your injury and its treatment and discuss them with your surgeon. Working together you and your surgeon will determine the best treatment for you.

Appointments to discuss Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome with Dr. Grutter can be made here. If you have continued questions or concerns after seeing your orthopaedic surgeon a second opinion from Dr. Grutter is often beneficial.