So, a very common issue I see in runners is iliotibial band (ITB) syndrome.  In a nutshell, it involves excessive rubbing or friction of the ITB along the greater trochanter or lateral femoral epicondyle.  It is more common along the lower leg just above the knee and typically worsens with increasing mileage or stairs.

iliotibial-band-syndrome

The ITB is essential for stabilizing the knee during running.  Several factors may contribute to increased risk for this problem:

  • Muscle imbalances (weak gluteus medius and deep hip external rotators)
  • Uneven leg length
  • High and low arches
  • Increased pronation leading to excessive tibial rotation = friction of the band
  • Improper training progression
  • Faulty footwear
  • Poor running mechanics
  • Limited ankle mobility (specifically dorsiflexion)
  • Tightness in the tensor fascia latae (TFL) and glute max

Related information on this topic include a 2010 study published in JOSPT on competitive female runners with ITB syndrome:

Click here to see the abstract of the study

Click here to read an earlier blog post analysis of the above research article

Common signs and symptoms include stinging or nagging lateral knee pain that worsens with continued running.  Hills and stairs may further aggravate symptoms.  Some runners even note a “locking up” sensation that forces them to stop running altogether.  How do I treat this?


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