Visual summary IT band syndrome: Information for patients Version 32

27 Mar 2019

What is the IT band? Using this leaflet

Your GP or physiotherapist can usually diagnose
The iliotibial band (commonly known IT band syndrome based on your symptoms,
as the IT band) helps to keep your pattern of exercise and an examination.
knee stable when you exercise.
They may give you this leaflet to help you
It is made out of strong fibres called Inflammation understand more about your iliotibial band, and
connective tissue, and runs from your causes outer what you can do to relieve your symptoms.
pelvis down the outside of your leg
knee, or
into the outer part of your knee.
sometimes
hip pain
Why does IT band syndrome happen?
The IT band moves as you bend your knee
during exercise. It can start to rub on the outer
part of the knee causing pain if:

your IT band you participate

is tight you have
in particular
an uneven
IT band your hip muscles
running
activities, such
as long distance
style
are weak running

What symptoms does it cause?

IT band syndrome is common for people who
do sports including:
IT band syndrome causes pain around the outside of the knee when running
or doing exercise. The pain often: Running Cycling Jumping activities

Field sports Hockey

starts when you begin to occurs at the gets worse if you continue to Around 7-14%
exercise more, or are training same distance exercise, particularly if you of runners get Rowing Breast stroke
for an event like a marathon each time are running downhill IT band
syndrome Hiking Basketball

Suggested treatment for IT band syndrome

Modify activities Make sure to stretch Gradually restart activities

Improving strength around the hip is As the pain allows, restart activities
6 weeks important to reduce the forces on the with reduced frequency and distance
IT band. A physiotherapist may
Consider reducing or changing recommend using an elasticated band Try short sprints, which may avoid the
activities for up to six weeks, to placed around the ankles and then repetitive irritation that occurs on
allow the inflammation to settle performing leg movements. Lifting the longer runs
leg sideways as shown 10 times,
repeated 3-4 times a day, can improve Applying ice after a run, and simple
pelvic muscle strength. painkillers such as paracetamol and
ibuprofen can be helpful
You might need to modify
activities for more or less than 6 Avoid running on angled circuits, hard
weeks, depending on how bad Start doing regular stretches:
surfaces, and downhill
your symptoms are
Stand upright and cross your affected
leg behind your unaffected leg Poorly fitting or inadequately padded
footwear can make the condition worse so
Lean away from the painful side until
changing your footwear could be helpful
you feel a stretch and hold this
Try activities that don’t position for 30 seconds
Different footwear can be bought to
aggravate the pain, such as
Repeat this 4 more times correct foot posture and running style.
swimming, yoga, walking,
Specialist assessment on a treadmill may
or similar Do these 3 times a day and continue help choose a better fitting shoe. This can
until symptoms resolve also be assessed in some running shops

What happens if it doesn’t get better If the advice in this leaflet doesn’t help, your Evidence quality: low
or happens again? GP may refer you to a specialist physiotherapist,
There is not much good quality
sports medicine specialist or orthopaedic
About half of surgeon. There may be an underlying problem, research about IT band
This rises to 9 out syndrome, so this advice is
50% people can return 90% such as a muscle imbalance, running technique
of 10 at 6 months mostly based on expert opinion
to sport by 8 weeks or biomechanical issue

Source: Produced to accompany Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) by James Pegrum, Alex Self, and Nick Hall. Published in The BMJ, issue 364:8192 (23 Mar 2019). https://doi.org/10.1136/bmj.l980

Thanks: To our patient reviewers who helped us test this information sheet: Elaine Gillies and Lucy Fry

Disclaimer: This infographic is not a validated clinical decision aid. This information is provided without any representations, conditions, or warranties that it is accurate or up to date. BMJ and its licensors assume no responsibility for any aspect of
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