Iliotibial Band Syndrome And Chiropractic Treatment

Chiropractic and Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome, Runner’s knee or ITBS

A fibrous ligament, called the iliotibial band (ITB), extends from the outside of the pelvis to the outside of the lower leg (tibia).

When this band is tight it may rub against the bottom, outer portion of the thigh bone (femur) and cause pain or aching.

The condition is common in runners.

Classic presentation of Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Pain on the outer knee of gradual onset
Pain worse on running or walking downhill
Improves with rest
Pain during flexion or extension of the knee
Trigger points, tenderness in the gluteal muscles
Sometimes associated with greater trochanteric bursitis (over the hip)

What is the Cause of Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

The pain is caused by a tight or hyperactive Tensor Fascia Lata (TFL), a muscle which attach to the Iliotibial band, which runs down the outer thigh from the hip to the knee.

Repetitive rubbing against the bone on the outside of the knee during running makes the area inflamed.

If the main hip abductors are weak, mainly the gluteus medius, then the TFL must contract harder and over a period of time straining the ITB.

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Predispositions to Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Predispositions to Iliotibial Band Syndrome include:

pronation of the foot
pelvic and spinal dysfunction
a tight and/or weak gluteus medius, quadriceps and hamstrings
tight or hyperactive adductors (inside of thigh)
being bow legged
running regularly on an oval track

Chiropractic treatment of iliotibial band syndrome

The most important aspect of treating iliotibial band syndrome is a full evaluation of the pelvic joints (sacroiliac joints) and lumbar spine function.

Any dysfunction here can contribute to weakness of the gluteal muscles due to neurological inhibition. This is often missed in the diagnosis of ITB syndrome and therefore you often find rehabilitation and soft tissue treatment efforts are ineffective leading to recurring problems.

It is also important to assess the feet for any joint dysfunction. Orthotics can be prescribed if pronation of the foot is present and specific adjustments, or manipulation, of the foot is given. This is followed by rehabilitation exercises for the feet.

Apart from dealing with the neuro-mechanical dysfuntion of the pelvis, spine and feet soft tissue treatment has to be given. It consists of stretching of the iliotibial band and other associated tight musculature and strengthening of the weak musculature.

Other soft tissue techniques used by chiropractors include:

soft tissue or deep friction massage
myofascial release techniques
dry-needling techniques
electrotherapeutic techniques such as laser, ultrasound and interferential treatment

It is also important to have a rehabilitation strategy in the long term even when symptoms have lessened.

Chiropractors pay special attention to reactive core stability assessment and rehabilitation to prevent injuries in the longer term.

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