IT Band Pain – Evidence Based Guide [For Physical Therapists]

By dpope2020

September 7, 2024

dan pope, fitness pain free, hip pain, iliotibial band, iliotibial band friction syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome, iliotibial band syndrome treatment, IT band, it band exercises, it band knee pain, it band massage, it band pain, it band stretch, it band stretches, IT Band Syndrome, it band syndrome exercises, it band syndrome stretches, it band syndrome treatment, it band tightness, itb syndrome, knee pain, physical therapy, runners knee, tight it band

IT Band Pain - Evidence Based Guide [For Physical Therapists]

To go along with today's episode I have a nice infographic to share...

Sign up to receive FREE: IT Band Pain Evidence Based "Cheat Sheet"

Click HERE to Download FREE

Grab the rest of the Mini Course and Sign up for the Certification Pre-sale list:

In today's video we go over IT Band Pain - Evidence Based Guide [For Physical Therapists]: FPF Show Episode 145

  • 0:00 Introduction
  • 2:17 In what population is IT Band pain most common?
  • 3:20 Where do patients have pain with IT band pain?
  • 6:37 Relevant anatomy in IT band pain
  • 9:04 Is IT band pain a friction syndrome?
  • 10:30 What is the function of the IT band?
  • 12:46 How is the IT band involved with running?
  • 14:03 What running technique increases strain on the IT band?
  • 16:33 What is the mechanism of injury for IT band pain?
  • 20:43 Subjective examination - What are IT band pain patients likely to say?
  • 23:35 Objective examination - tenderness to palpation, special tests, strength training, gait analysis
  • 31:51 Differential diagnosis of IT band pain
  • 33:16 What is the natural history of IT band pain?

Stretch those IT Bands!  Or not?

- Dan Pope DPT,OCS,CSCS

Show Notes / Relevant Articles:

Want to support me and decide topics for future episodes?  Click HERE to sign up for FPF "Insiders" for just a dollar. You'll gain access to 100+ webinars, e-books and complete guides.  Plus, you'll get private access to the "Insiders" Facebook group where you can have all of your questions answered by me.  

Looking for other ways to support me that are 100% free?

  • Like, comment and share on youtube, facebook and instagram 
  • Leave a 5-star review on apple podcasts

Thank you!

Dan Pope DPT, OCS, CSCS

References: 

  1. Van der Worp MP, van der Horst N, de Wijer A, Backx FJ, Nijhuis-van der Sanden MW. Iliotibial band syndrome in runners: a systematic review. Sports medicine. 2012;42:969-992.

  2. Orchard JW, Fricker PA, Abud AT, Mason BR. Biomechanics of iliotibial band friction syndrome in runners. Am J Sports Med. 1996;24:375-379.

  3. Baker RL, Souza RB, Fredericson M. Iliotibial band syndrome: soft tissue and biomechanical factors in evaluation and treatment. PM&R. 2011;3:550-561.

  4. Fairclough J, Hayashi K, Toumi H, et al. The functional anatomy of the iliotibial band during flexion and extension of the knee: implications for understanding iliotibial band syndrome. Journal of anatomy. 2006;208:309-316.

  5. Fairclough J, Hayashi K, Toumi H, et al. Is iliotibial band syndrome really a friction syndrome? Journal of Science and Medicine in Sport. 2007;10:74-76.

  6. Lavine R. Iliotibial band friction syndrome. Current reviews in musculoskeletal medicine. 2010;3:18-22.

  7. Meardon SA, Campbell S, Derrick TR. Step width alters iliotibial band strain during running. Sports Biomech. 2012;11:464-472.

  8. Rosenthal MD. Clinical testing for extra-articular lateral knee pain. A modification and combination of traditional tests. North American journal of sports physical therapy: NAJSPT. 2008;3:107.

  9. Hutchinson LA, Lichtwark GA, Willy RW, Kelly LA. The Iliotibial Band: A Complex Structure with Versatile Functions. Sports Med. 2022 May;52(5):995-1008. doi: 10.1007/s40279-021-01634-3. Epub 2022 Jan 24. PMID: 35072941; PMCID: PMC9023415.

  10. Charles D, Rodgers C. A LITERATURE REVIEW AND CLINICAL COMMENTARY ON THE DEVELOPMENT OF ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME IN RUNNERS. Int J Sports Phys Ther. 2020 May;15(3):460-470. PMID: 32566382; PMCID: PMC7296998.

  11. Bonoan, M., Morales, M., Liu, X.W. et al. Iliotibial Band Syndrome Current Evidence. Curr Phys Med Rehabil Rep 12, 193–199 (2024). https://doi.org/10.1007/s40141-024-00442-w

  12. Mulvad B, Nielsen RO, Lind M, Ramskov D. Diagnoses and time to recovery among injured recreational runners in the RUN CLEVER trial. PLoS One. 2018 Oct 12;13(10):e0204742. doi: 10.1371/journal.pone.0204742. PMID: 30312310; PMCID: PMC6193581.