Link to MamasHealth.com
Mamashealth.com Home
Syndromes Pages

Acute Respiratory
Aicardi
Asperger's
Burning Foot
Battered Women
Burning Mouth
Carpal Tunnel
Cerebro-oculo-facio-skeletal
Chronic Fatigue
Cushing's
Cyclic Vomiting
Dandy-Walker
DiGeorge
Down
Dry Eye
Fahr's
Fetal Alcohol
Fragile X
Gerstmann's
Gilbert's
Guillain-Barré
Goodpasture's
Hemolytic Uremic
Irritable Bowel
Iliotibal Band
Jacob
Kartagener's
Klinefelter
Klippel-Feil
Long QT
Lutz-Miescher
Mallory-Weiss
Marfan
Menkes
Mirizzi's
Myasthenic
Myelodysplastic

Links

More Syndromes

Email Mama



Email Newsletter icon, E-mail Newsletter icon, Email List icon, E-mail List icon Sign up for the MamasHealth Newsletter

What is Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

Iliotibial band syndrome occurs when there is irritation to the iliotibial band band. The irritation usually occurs over the outside of the knee joint, at the end of the thigh bone.

Iliotibial band syndrome is also referred to as ITBS.

What is the Iliotibial Band?

The iliotibial band is a thick band of fibrous tissue that runs down the outside of the leg. It begins at the hip and extends to the outer side of the shin bone just below the knee joint. The iliotibial band functions in coordination with several of the thigh muscles to provide stability to the outside of the knee joint.

What are the symptoms of Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

The most common symptom is severe knee pain. The pain usually the pain worsens with continued movement and subsides with rest.

What causes Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

Iliotibial band syndrome can be causes by a sudden increase in physical activity. Sometimes runners who increase their mileage, develop iliotibial band syndrome. Iliotibial band syndrome can also be caused by overpronation or bow-leggedness.

Can Iliotibial Band Syndrome be Treated?

Yes. Treatment usually involves wearing footwear, icing the area of pain, limiting your physical activity, anti-inflammatory medication, massage, and stretching. In severe cases cortisone injections can provide temporary pain relief.

Can Iliotibial Band Syndrome be Prevented?

A few simple steps can help decrease your risk of developing iliotibial band syndrome.

  1. Decrease your mileage or take a few days off if you feel pain on the outside of your knee.
  2. Walk a quarter- to half-mile before you start your runs.
  3. Replace shoes that are worn along the outside of the sole.
  4. Run on flat surfaces.
  5. Don't run on concrete surfaces.
  6. Before beginning a running program, schedule an evaluation by a podiatrist to see if you need orthotics.

Featured Book

Win a health book

Health Topic: Tummy Tuck Surgery: What No One Tells You

Medicare Part D: Everything you need to know

Finding time for sex

How to choose the best weight loss program

Easy flirting tips

How to deal with a stubborn husband or boyfriend

Surviving a financial crisis

Save money in the kitchen

Inexpensive health insurance

Information obtained from MamasHealth.com™ should not be used as a substitute for professional medical care or attention by a qualified practitioner, nor should it be inferred as such. Always check with your doctor if you have any questions or concerns about a specific condition.

Use of this web site constitutes acceptance of the Terms of Use.
Contact us: PO Box 2170, Pasadena, CA 91102-2170

If you want a review of your product featured on MamasHealth.com, let us know.

©2000 - 2008 MamasHealth.com™. All rights reserved

Link to MamasHealth.com