Iliotibial Band Syndrome - Floyd Memorial Hospital

EXERCISES
Iliotibial Band
Syndrome
Hamstring Stretch:
Sit on firm surface
with one leg extended.
Slowly lean forward at
hips, trying to touch
toes. Perform three
reps on each leg, hold
each rep for 20 to 30
seconds, twice daily.
Straight Leg Raise
with Toes Out:
Lie on back with painful
leg straight, other leg
bent. Tighten quad
muscles, rotate the
toes of your foot out.
Raise the straight leg to
the level of your bent
leg. Perform three sets of 10 reps, once daily.
Hip Abduction:
Lie on non-painful
side, with leg bent
for stability. Keep
knee straight on the
painful side, lift leg
upward. Perform
three sets of 10 reps, once daily.
IT Band Stretch:
Lie on non-painful
side. Extend painful
leg backward and
slowly lower until a
gentle stretch is felt
on outer portion of thigh. Perform three reps,
hold each rep for 20 to 30 seconds, twice daily.
Floyd Memorial
Outpatient Rehabilitation
1700 State Street
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 948-7416
Floyd Memorial Physical Therapy
3891 Charlestown Road
New Albany, IN 47150
(812) 945-3440
724 Highlander Point Drive
Floyds Knobs, IN 47199
(812) 923-0630
2207 Concord Avenue NW, #100
Corydon, IN 47112
(812) 738-3616
www.floydmemorial.com/rehab
125055 (06/12) FMHHS
WHAT IS ILIOTIBIAL
BAND SYNDROME
The iliotibial band (ITB) extends from the
upper part of your pelvis, down the outside
of your leg to just below the outer part
of your knee. The ITB assists with both
bending and straightening your knee,
depending on the knee’s position. The band
crosses over an underlying bony projection
called the lateral femoral condyle (LFC).
Iliotibial band syndrome occurs if friction
develops between the ITB and LFC. Pain and
inflammation in the tendon can result.
Anatomy of
ITB Syndrome
WHAT CAUSES THIS CONDITION?
ITB syndrome is often a recurring
condition. Please be aware of some of the
following factors which may increase your
chances of developing this condition:
•Excessive slant street running
•Excessive incline running
•Excessive mileage, or increasing
mileage too quickly
•High arches
•Bowed legs
•Weak thigh (quadriceps) muscles
•Weak buttock (gluteal) muscles
•Knee hyperextension
WHAT ARE THE SYMPTOMS?
The following are the most common
symptoms of ITB syndrome.
•Aching pain in the lateral (outside) knee
•Increased pain with running
hills or on a slant
•Increased pain with climbing stairs
•Pain concentrated to outside of knee
TREATMENT OPTIONS
Rest: Stop running until you can do so
without pain. Substitute running with
swimming, biking or walking; however, biking
and walking may cause the same pain.
Ice: Apply ice to your knee for 10 to 20 minutes
with at least one hour between applications. Do
not apply ice directly to your skin – a pillowcase
or dish towel works well as a protective barrier.
Frozen peas or reusable gel packs are flexible
and conform well to the injured area.
Proper Footwear/Orthotics: A runner
experiences impact forces of two to three
times his/her body weight with each stride.
Problems such as improper footwear, flat feet
or excessively high arches can affect how these
forces are translated from the feet through the
knees and hips, potentially causing pain in these
joints, even as high as your lower back. This
situation can be corrected with arch supports
or custom orthotics. Orthotics allow your foot
to maintain correct position throughout the
gait cycle, which can decrease or eliminate
improper movements of the ankle, knee and hip.
Stretching/Strengthening Exercises:
Stretching the IT band and hamstrings,
along with strengthening the quadriceps
and gluteus medius muscles, is key in
helping to correct this condition.
Physical Therapy: ITB syndrome can become
a painful, chronic condition if left untreated.
Consult your physician regarding your physical
therapy options. The physical therapists
at Floyd Memorial coordinate with your
physician to provide individualized care and
treatment options for your specific needs.
For more information about physical therapy
options offered, call (812) 948-7416 or visit
www.floydmemorial.com/rehab.