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Your Body - Thigh Pain/Injury

Knee Pain, Knee Injuries and Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Knee pain and knee injuries, as a result of Iliotibial Band Syndrome, can be an extremely painful and a frustrating injury that puts a big strain on both the knee and hip joints.

Knee injuries are very common among runners and cyclists. However, they don't usually occur in an instant, like a hamstring strain or groin pull, but commonly start off as a twinge or niggle, and progress quickly to a debilitating sports injury that can sideline the best of us for weeks.

The iliotibial band is actually a thick tendon-like portion of another muscle called the tensor fasciae latae. This band passes down the outside of the thigh and inserts just below the knee.

The main problem occurs when the tensor fasciae latae muscle and iliotibial band become tight. This causes the tendon to pull the knee joint out of alignment and rub against the outside of the knee, which results in inflammation and pain.

Causes

There are two main causes of knee pain associated with iliotibial band syndrome. The first is "overload" and the second is "biomechanical errors."

Overload is common with sports that require a lot of running or weight bearing activity. This is why ITB is commonly a runner's injury. When the tensor fasciae latae muscle and iliotibial band become fatigued and overloaded, they lose their ability to adequately stabilize the entire leg. This in-turn places stress on the knee joint, which results in pain and damage to the structures that make up the knee joint.

Overload on the ITB can be caused by a number of things. They include:

  • Exercising on hard surfaces, like concrete
  • Exercising on uneven ground
  • Beginning an exercise program after a long lay-off period
  • Increasing exercise intensity or duration too quickly
  • Exercising in worn out or ill fitting shoes... and
  • Excessive uphill or downhill running.

Biomechanical errors include:

  • Leg length differences
  • Tight, stiff muscles in the leg
  • Muscle imbalances
  • Foot structure problems such as flat feet... and
  • Gait, or running style problems such as pronation.

What Our Clients Say

"After suffering from lower back pain for many years, I thought I should get something done about it. I was recommended to see Ross, Unsure at the time about seeing a Sports Injury Specialist, as my complaint was defiantly not a sporting injury! I thought recommendation is a strong piece of advice so I went to see Ross, What a good move. He explained that just because the injury was not sustained during sport the diagnosing and treatment is still the same. He subsequently got straight to the site of pain, with an in depth examination and a clear diagnosis, the treatment was very successful. I am now able to sit at my desk at work pain free." Miss. Chappel

I see Ross regularly at his Colchester Clinic. I was in constant pain with an injury. I could hardly walk. Now I can honestly say thanks to his treatment I am virtually pain free!! My quality of life has improved greatly. I am even able to attend a gym as part of my rehabilitation. Without Ross I do not believe I would be where I am today. I only wish I had found him sooner. I highly recommend him. Mrs Weavers.

"The way Ross explains and shows you your condition, in laymans terms, using the charts and models in his clinic is a testament to his own knowledge and understanding at all levels, whether with his international athletes or to a complete non sporting person you all ways leave his clinic with a clear picture in your own mind of what the mechanisms of the injury is and more importantly, home care advise to help prevent it from happening again." - Mrs. Taylor