Where is your iliotibial band

In-person and virtual physician appointments. Book online. Urgent Ortho Care. Same-day in-person or virtual appointments. Get care. If you run on a track, make sure you run in both directions. Have an expert check your stance for running and other sporting activities.

Stretch your outer thigh and hamstrings regularly. When should I call my healthcare provider? Key points about iliotibial band syndrome Iliotibial band syndrome causes pain on the outside of your knee. It often happens in athletes, especially distance runners. But anyone can get it. Using incorrect sporting equipment and having a poor running stance may increase your chance of having this condition.

Most people respond to treatment such as pain medicines, ice, stretching, and strengthening exercises, and limiting the activity for a while. Some people may need surgery to treat the condition. Next steps Tips to help you get the most from a visit to your healthcare provider: Know the reason for your visit and what you want to happen. Before your visit, write down questions you want answered. Bring someone with you to help you ask questions and remember what your provider tells you.

At the visit, write down the name of a new diagnosis, and any new medicines, treatments, or tests. Also write down any new instructions your provider gives you. Know why a new medicine or treatment is prescribed, and how it will help you. Also know what the side effects are.

Ask if your condition can be treated in other ways. Know why a test or procedure is recommended and what the results could mean. Know what to expect if you do not take the medicine or have the test or procedure.

If you have a follow-up appointment, write down the date, time, and purpose for that visit. Know how you can contact your provider if you have questions.

All rights reserved. This information is not intended as a substitute for professional medical care. Overuse and repetitive flexion and extension of the knees usually cause this type of injury. It occurs when the IT band becomes tight, irritated, or inflamed. This tightness causes friction on the outside of the knee when bending, which is painful. Sometimes it causes referred hip pain.

ITBS causes friction, irritation, and pain when moving the knee. It seems to happen only in some people, though the reasons for this are unclear. It can even develop from repetitively walking up and down stairs, wearing high heels, or sitting for long periods with bent knees.

ITBS can affect anyone. Athletes who use their knees such as basketball players, soccer players, and weightlifters are more likely to develop ITBS. Usually people who get IT band syndrome are younger athletes or people who exercise regularly.

Your doctor can check to see if you have IT band syndrome by considering your history, looking at your symptoms, and performing a physical exam. This may involve some type of body assessment such as performing certain exercises to demonstrate movement patterns, strength, and stability. Your doctor may assess the alignment of your pelvis and tightness of the IT band. Some cases may require an ultrasound, X-ray, or an MRI scan. If you think you have IT band syndrome or an IT band issue, see a doctor to be diagnosed.

They may find that your IT band is unaffected, making different treatment and exercises more appropriate. For very severe, chronic cases, corticosteroid injections or surgery may be an option. But you should start with conservative treatments and be consistent. Usually IT band issues can be relieved by performing exercises and stretches to relieve tightness and promote flexibility and strength. When overused, the IT band can become tightened.

The tightening can cause the band to rub against the outside of the knee. The rubbing can lead to pain and swelling. IT band syndrome may begin as mild pain and intensify if left untreated.

The best treatment is often to stop doing the activity that is causing the pain. In more severe cases, surgical options may need to be considered. Symptoms of IT band syndrome may vary slightly from person to person in intensity and how they appear.

The most common symptom of IT band syndrome is pain on the outside of the knee that gets worse if the person continues the activity causing the pain. As a person continues to run or participate in a similar activity, the IT band will continue to rub against the outside of the knee, leading to swelling and severe pain.

IT band syndrome is often relatively easy to treat. There are two main types of treatment for the condition:. The most important treatment is to stop the activity that causes the pain altogether.

Resting for up to 6 weeks will typically allow the leg to heal fully. Anyone who runs enough can develop IT band syndrome.

However, there are some stretches and exercises that help both prevent and treat the condition. People should aim to do a combination of stretching and specific exercises that focus on the IT band.

Some of these exercises and stretches are described below. Foam rollers are widely available to purchase from sports stores and online.