Iliotibial Band Syndrome Symptoms

By james

Reviewed: Dr. Gromatzky

Article Sources

Medical Expert

More About Us

The iliotibial band is a band of tissue that helps to provide strength and stability to the knee. It starts at the top of the hip and travels down the outside of the leg to the shin, and crosses over the knee joint on its way. While its purpose is to help provide strength and flexibility, this band can also cause problems in some people.

Iliotibial band syndrome is a condition in which this band becomes inflamed. This tends to happen because its mobility becomes impaired, the muscles around it become weak or compromised, or the structures that it crosses become inflamed. This will cause a number of unwelcome symptoms, and we have listed some of the most common below.

1. Gradual Onset

Some symptoms of injuries and other conditions are likely to come on suddenly, especially where sudden damage to the body is concerned. The pain in such circumstances is likely to be at its most painful to begin with, gradually fading over time as the injury heals.

Not all conditions are the same, however, and some are barely noticeable at all to begin with. In cases of iliotibial band syndrome, for example, the condition will come on very gradually indeed. To begin with, any discomfort is likely to be very mild, but it can gradually worsen to something extremely uncomfortable if left untreated.