ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME
ANATOMY OF IT BAND:
• The Iliotibial band is a thick band of fascia which originates from the iliac crest and
blends into one structure after converging from the gluteus maximus posteriorly and the
tensor fascialata anterolaterally and runs along the lateral side of the thigh and then
passes over the lateral femoral condyle and finally inserts into the Gerdy's tubercle on
the anterolateral tibial condyle.
• ACTION - Lateral stabilization of hip and knee, Hip flexion, extension, abduction, lateral
and medial rotation.
, BIOMECHANICS:
• In Static Standing Position
Proximally, the combined pulls of gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata helps maintain
the band's position posterior to the coronal axis of the hip at the greater trochanter.
This position helps to maintain the hip in extension.
Distally, the ITB falls in front of the coronal axis of the knee and helps maintain the knee
in extension.
• In Dynamic position
During swing phase, the pull of the ITB are anterior to the greater trochanter, this
maintains the hip in flexion.
At the knee, the band is pulled posteriorly over the lateral femoral epicondyle, this
maintains the knee flexion in approximately 30 degree. During the swing phase of
Walking and Running ,the combination of hip flexion with knee flexion occurs.
During stance phase of walking or running, the band is pulled posteriorly over the
greater trochanter, this helps to maintain the hip in extension.
• Generally, weight bearing increases the frictional forces on the greater trochanter and
the lateral femoral epicondyle.
• It also increases the lateral distractive forces on the patella and to the proximal tibia.
• These forces are also increased during the several structural changes such as genu
varum, femoral retro or anteversion, internal tibial torsion, excessive foot pronation,
and an ipsilateral longer leg.
ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME:
• Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a common knee injury which occurs due to repeated
knee flexion and extension
• During knee flexion and extension, the IT band rubs against bone when it gets too tight.
• It causes the inflammation of IT band which results in pain and/or tenderness on
palpation of the lateral aspect of the knee, superior to the joint line and inferior to the
lateral femoral epicondyle.
• It may be Unilateral or Bilateral
ANATOMY OF IT BAND:
• The Iliotibial band is a thick band of fascia which originates from the iliac crest and
blends into one structure after converging from the gluteus maximus posteriorly and the
tensor fascialata anterolaterally and runs along the lateral side of the thigh and then
passes over the lateral femoral condyle and finally inserts into the Gerdy's tubercle on
the anterolateral tibial condyle.
• ACTION - Lateral stabilization of hip and knee, Hip flexion, extension, abduction, lateral
and medial rotation.
, BIOMECHANICS:
• In Static Standing Position
Proximally, the combined pulls of gluteus maximus and tensor fascia lata helps maintain
the band's position posterior to the coronal axis of the hip at the greater trochanter.
This position helps to maintain the hip in extension.
Distally, the ITB falls in front of the coronal axis of the knee and helps maintain the knee
in extension.
• In Dynamic position
During swing phase, the pull of the ITB are anterior to the greater trochanter, this
maintains the hip in flexion.
At the knee, the band is pulled posteriorly over the lateral femoral epicondyle, this
maintains the knee flexion in approximately 30 degree. During the swing phase of
Walking and Running ,the combination of hip flexion with knee flexion occurs.
During stance phase of walking or running, the band is pulled posteriorly over the
greater trochanter, this helps to maintain the hip in extension.
• Generally, weight bearing increases the frictional forces on the greater trochanter and
the lateral femoral epicondyle.
• It also increases the lateral distractive forces on the patella and to the proximal tibia.
• These forces are also increased during the several structural changes such as genu
varum, femoral retro or anteversion, internal tibial torsion, excessive foot pronation,
and an ipsilateral longer leg.
ILIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME:
• Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a common knee injury which occurs due to repeated
knee flexion and extension
• During knee flexion and extension, the IT band rubs against bone when it gets too tight.
• It causes the inflammation of IT band which results in pain and/or tenderness on
palpation of the lateral aspect of the knee, superior to the joint line and inferior to the
lateral femoral epicondyle.
• It may be Unilateral or Bilateral
