ITB Syndrome - Runners Knee - Physiotherapy Treatment in North London
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITB Syndrome)/Iliotibial Band Friction Syndrome (ITBFS), or Runner’s Knee as it is sometimes referred to is a very common overuse injury which is usually found in the outside of the knee on runners. Whilst this is historically associated with the running population, it does often present in other sporting categories such as boxing, football, basketball and many others.
It has been suggested that ITB is often caused by poor biomechanics of the lower leg. It is usually seen (but not limited to) in runners whose knees collapse inwards when stepping forward. Now, this is obviously a very generic outlook as there are cases where people have ‘perfect’ running form and get ITB pain and those who have imperfect running form and have never experienced pain.
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What is key though is that your healthcare professional is able to carry out a full assessment and limit down the possible causation factors. As you can see from above, there is not always a straight and simple cause of this injury, instead it is overcome using a multi-disciplinary approach which uses a wide range of modalities to address the issue.
One of those commonly seen is the use of foam rolling. Whilst there is a widely held belief that this modality can help the issue, if you are finding that the condition is not easing or improving then it may be wise to try and alternative approach and get a second opinion to see if what you are actually dealing with is an ITB issue.
How can our Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy help you?
First and foremost, a correct diagnosis is key. Lateral knee pain can present in many different cases and ensuring we are treating the correct injury/condition is key to a successful outcome.
Here at Bodylogics, your case history plays a huge role in determining what your condition is and guiding our treatment. For example, if you have been foam rolling for a long time and it is showing no signs of improving, then advising to do MORE foam rolling probably is not the solution. Instead we will look at each case individually and work with you to design the best care programme to suit your needs and requirements.
We will carry out a full assessment to confirm our diagnosis and ensure we are not missing anything else that it could possibly present as. Things such as meniscus tears can sometimes present the same way (pain on the outside of the knee which comes on with exercise) so it is important we rule things like this out to ensure no future damage is done with the wrong intervention programmes.
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What if I need surgery?
It is very rare to need surgery in these cases; however, chronic issues which are not subsiding with due care and attention may need further intervention. Surgery often involves release of the ITB area to reduce the stress and tension through the area and the pain relief can often be immediate. It is after this intervention that your rehabilitation is key. ITB issues often arise due to a strength deficit in the posterior chain and your rehabilitation will then focus on restoring this strength deficit to enable you to function at the highest level possible. We have worked with a number of elite athletes and returned them to their previous level of performance with a strong and thorough robust rehabilitation programme. You can be sure that you are in the best hands possible with us when visiting us at Bodylogics North London.
Contact a member of our Team now to find out how our Physiotherapy/Sports Therapy team can help you.
We are here and on hand to help. If you wished to discuss how we can help you then please feel free to call us directly to speak with a member of our team or fill out our contact form on this page and we will have a member of our team get back to you as soon as possible.
We look forward to welcoming you to Bodylogics in the very near future.