The iliotibial band (ITB) is made up of tough, fibrous fascial tissues and spans from the iliac crest to the lateral proximal tibia. The various functional roles of the ITB appear to be dependent on the posture and activity performed. This is likely a result of the in-series muscular contributions of the gluteus maximus and tensor fascia latae (TFL), as well as the anatomical path of the ITB crossing the hip and knee joints. During walking, the ITB affects the hip and knee, activating as a hip and knee stabilizer, as well as storing elastic energy.  

ITB pain is common in runners, with a 5-14% prevalence of all running related injuries. Recent reviews have suggested a shift away from commonly held beliefs regarding the diagnosis and treatment strategies of ITB syndrome, such as moving away from a friction syndrome model to a compression syndrome or impingement model. 

The current clinical understanding of ITB syndrome is lacking and the purpose of this review is to summarize the current body of literature surrounding the anatomy and biomechanics of the ITB, in order to better understand the aetiology, clinical examination and treatment of ITB syndrome. 

THIS WEEK'S RESEARCH REVIEW: “Iliotibial Band – Clinical Overview”

This paper was published in Sports Medicine (2022) and this Review is posted in Recent Reviews, Hip, Knee and the 2022 Archive.

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