Jogging/runner’s knee
Why is the ITBS now called runner’s knee? Why are especially fit, athletic joggers affected? At the upper end of the ligament, the tendon trains of some muscles radiate into it, such as the M. Tensor fascia latae and the middle and large gluteal muscle.
These muscles hold our pelvis in a straight position and become particularly active when we run. If they are now put under a lot of strain due to a lot of running, increased training or other causes described above, they tend to build up more tension and shorten. Since they are connected to the iliotibial ligament, these shortened muscles now pull continuously on the entire structure until the tractus above the knee rubs over the bony protrusion again in the worst case, a classic development of ITBS, a runner’s knee.
Long-distance runners, in particular, put strain on the structure again and again over long periods of time. In the same way, this pull can come from below, as the fascia chain continues to run to the calf muscles and the foot. The culprits can therefore just as easily be wrong running shoes or a foot malposition.
Prognosis: Running pause
To make an accurate prognosis about the future development after an operation of the iliotibial ligament due to an iliotibial ligament syndrome depends on many influencing factors. First of all, it is important to know whether the cause of the complaints is due to a permanent overload caused by intensive training and how severe the resulting damage was. If this is the case, even a break of a few weeks and a subsequent change in training habits can lead to freedom from symptoms.
Especially stretching exercises for the tractus iliotibialis must be integrated into the training program in order to prevent further shortening and overloading.If there is or was a leg axis malposition or a leg length difference, further surgery or the use of aids such as insoles, splints, bandages or similar may be necessary. As a basic principle, it should be noted that one-sided high-frequency running and long downhill runs should be avoided to prevent a recurrence of the iliotibial ligament syndrome. Trained sports therapists, physiotherapists or fitness trainers can provide you with a suitable rehabilitation program or training program adapted to your needs and can therapeutically accompany the rehabilitation.
