The Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is also known as Runner’s Knee or Tractus Syndrome. It occurs mainly in runners and is manifested by pain in the outer knee joint. It is usually caused by overstraining due to too frequent or too long training.
On the outside of the thigh is the fibrous tractus iliotibialis. It runs from the anterior tip of the ilium (SIAS) over the hip joint and ends at the outer ankle (tuberculum gerdy) of the tibia. ITBS is caused by friction between the tractus iliotibialis and the outer bony protrusion of the femur above the knee joint. Frequent bending and stretching in the knee joint thus causes irritation and pain. Extensive information on ITBS can be found in this article: ITBS-Iliotibial Ligament Syndrome
Symptoms
The symptoms of an iliotibial band syndrome are If ITBS is not treated or a training leave is not observed, the pain can make running training impossible for months. It is noticeable that the pain initially occurs only during active running, but can later begin while walking. Since the pain also radiates in the direction of the knee joint and to the tibial plateau, false diagnoses and thus incorrect treatment often occur.
For example, a meniscus damage can be falsely diagnosed and parts of the menisci are surgically removed. Further symptoms of the Iliotibial Ligament Syndrome are a pressure pain in the affected area as well as noises caused by the friction of the irritated tissue when bending and stretching the knee joint. Further articles dealing with similar pain symptoms are listed here:
- Initially slight pain in the outer thigh
- Very strong stabbing pain, which can radiate into the lower leg.
- Pressure pain in the affected area
- Noises caused by friction of the irritated tissue when bending and stretching the knee joint
- Knee Arthrosis
- Outer meniscus – Pain
- Inner meniscus – pain
All articles in this series:
