What is ITB Friction Syndrome? How to Treat?

Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITB Friction Syndrome) is a common overuse injury which gives pain on the outside of the knee during and following running or repetitive leg activity.

Being an overuse injury, it is caused by repeated trauma rather than a specific incident.

It's common name is "Runner's Knee".

The ITB, or iliotibial band, is a long, thin band of fascia which runs down the outside of your thigh. At the top of your thigh it is attached to your Tensae Fascia Latae (TFL) muscle, and at the bottom it attaches to your tibia (lower leg bone) and kneecap.

Just before its attachment at the knee, your ITB runs over a highly innervated fat pad. As you bend your knee, your ITB tensions up and places more pressure on this fat pad.

What Goes Wrong with your Iliotibial Band?

Sometimes the TFL and ITB can shorten and tighten up. This can occur for a number of reasons:

Poor biomechanics (running technique)
Weak gluteal muscles
Weak inner quadriceps
Worn out or unsuitable joggers
Thigh muscle fatigue
Change of running time, distance and/or terrain

With a tight ITB, when you bend your knee the fascia rubs and compresses excessively over the fat pad. If this occurs over and over, as happens with running, the fat pad can get irritated and inflamed. This in turn causes pain and swelling.

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