This is a painful debilitating condition affecting a significant number of runners, especially the endurance runner.It is caused by friction of the Iliotibial band as it passes back and forth over the outside (lateral) of the knee during flexion and extension. The condition tends to occur mainly from overuse, causing mechanical irritation leading to inflammation within the Iliotibial band and the underlying bursa if present and over its boney attachment.
Running downhill or on highly cambered roads and over-striding aggravates the Iliotibial band as does side to side sports such as tennis and rugby.
Poor foot biomechanics and incorrect running shoes will have a pronounced affect on the tension of the Iliotibial band.
Especially those people that present with :
- High arch feet – Supinators
- Low or flattened arches
- Leg length differences
- Increased internal knee rotation
- Trochanteric bursitis
Podiatrists at Foot Pain Centres of Leeds will provide a thorough knee examination to exclude other potential issues such as meniscal tears,and study the inter-relationship between your foot mechanics and your symptoms.
Treatment
- Reduce distance running
- Ice massage
- Run on flat, soft surfaces
- Muscle strengthening e.g Quadriceps, hamstrings and abductors
- Check pelvic alignment
- Check running shoes
- Physiotherapy/Chiropractic referral
- Orthotics