Newsroom Hospital for Special Surgery

IT Band Pain? Don't Roll It. Do This Instead

Mon, 04 Oct 2021 22:35:00 -0400

Livestrong discusses injury prevention and treatment strategies for the iliotibial (IT) band according to experts including HSS physical therapist James Gallegro PT, DScPT, MSPT, CMPT, OCS, CSCS.

The IT band is made up of layers of dense connective tissue known as the fascia. According to Gallegro, “Fascia is actually by design quite resistant to stretching; it is meant to transfer load. Muscles can be stretched, but fascia not so much,” he cited.

Gallegro explained the importance of hydration to keep the fascia healthy. “If someone is under-hydrated, the fascial layers will not be able to slide and move on each other freely. When the fascia is under constant tension, the makeup of the tissue stiffens, preventing that normal slide and glide,” he noted.

Gallegro recommended stretching the muscles around the IT band, including the tensor fasciae latae (TFL) and gluteus maximus.

Read the full article at Livestrong.com.

The Best IT Band Exercises To Help You Avoid Injury

Tue, 23 Jul 2019 18:21:00 -0400

Well + Good reports on iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS), the most common overuse injury of the tendon that runs from the outside part of the hip across the hip and the knee joints.

Well + Good spoke to Jordan D. Metzl, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS, who explained the causes of ITBS, noting, “When that tendon [IT band] gets too much pressure put on it - and after a combination of too much force and excessive rubbing on the outside of the knee - it gets irritated and inflamed and causes the sharp pain on the outside of the knee.” He added, “As a sports medicine doctor, this time of year - as people are in marathon-mode -I see at least two or three cases of ITBS a day. It’s a very common injury in runners - ones who are trying to do long-distance running.”

Since the IT band’s primary function is to stabilize the pelvis, thigh, and knee during movement, its important to make sure your muscles are strong enough to do so. Dr. Metzl added, “One reason people have this problem is simply because their butt muscles aren’t being strengthened. Because of that, the muscles on the back and side of their hips aren’t strong enough to support themselves when they run, causing the iliotibial tract and the muscles on the outside of the hip to become overworked. Another reason is sometimes the muscles on the outside part of the hip are too tight.”

Read the full article at wellandgood.com.

What Runners Need To Know About ITB Syndrome

Mon, 15 Apr 2019 14:00:00 -0400

Daily Voice Chappaqua features a bylined article by Dena Barsoum, MD, physiatrist at HSS detailing what runners should be aware of about iliotibial band (ITB) Syndrome.

Dr. Barsoum wrote symptoms of ITB Syndrome are usually a sharp pain at the lateral knee, especially with repetitive activities.

"Together with your doctor, a physical therapist can help identify the underlying biomechanical factors contributing to developing ITB syndrome," explained Dr. Barsoum. "With the right treatment and rehabilitation as well as modifications to your exercise program, runners with ITB syndrome can continue running with less pain."

Read the full article at DailyVoice.com.

Why All Runners Need Balance and Stability Training

Mon, 08 Oct 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Shape.com reporter Macaela Mackenzie wrote about her experience trying stability training the Michelob Ultra FitFest.

She described a class with HSS exercise physiologist Polly de Mille, RN, MA, RCEP, CSCS, USAT, who explained how to maintain balance.

"In studies on everything from IT band syndrome to patellofemoral pain to tibial stress fractures—all the big running overuse injuries—one thing comes up again and again: a shift in the hips when runners land on one leg," said de Mille.

According to de Mille, single-leg moves like single-leg deadlifts, squats, and bridges could increase glute strength to improve stability.

Read the full article at shape.com.

Everything You Need to Know About Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Tue, 03 Apr 2018 07:00:00 -0400

Runner's World reports on iliotibial (IT) band syndrome and how runners can avoid this common overuse injury.

IT band syndrome occurs when the IT band, which stabilizes and moves the knee joint, becomes tight or inflamed.

Jordan D. Metzl, MD, primary care sports medicine physician at HSS, explains that the most notable symptom is pain on the outside of the knee which can lead many runners to mistakenly believe they have a lateral meniscus tear. However, if you experience this pain and your knee does not swell, it may be IT band syndrome instead.

If the symptoms don't clear up after a few weeks of rest, Dr. Metzl recommended seeking help from a sports medicine professional as you may need a cortisone injection to break up scar tissue.

Read the full article at RunnersWorld.com.