How to Treat Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) is a repetitive-motion disorder of the knee that results in painful bursitis. Most ITBS sufferers are athletes in training who don't wait long enough to get back to the game after an injury. Because ITBS may have several causes, treatment may be immediate and concentrated or gradual and cumulative.

Difficulty: Moderately Easy

Instructions

Things You'll Need:

• Reusable gel ice packs
• Anti-inflammatory drugs
• Knee brace
• Physical therapy

Treat the Symptoms

1. Support the knee. Use reusable flexible bandages or a molded, cushioned knee brace with a Velcro closure, which you can purchase from your local drugstore. Prop the leg up on pillows while you are sitting, to relieve the bursa.

2. Take any anti-inflammatory drugs or pain relievers recommended by your doctor. Using medication steadily over a period gives the inflammation time to decrease and disappear.

3. Ice your knee when it is painful or after any excessive physical activity. Use ice packs for about 20 minutes at a stretch, and then take a break.

4. Restrict exertion for 4 to 6 weeks, or according to your doctor's instructions. Don't do any activity, such as running, that caused your injury.

Treat the Cause

5. Seek physical therapy to help isolate the actions that cause injury. You can strengthen the weak areas and retrain yourself to move differently with the help of exercises.

6. Seek orthopedic or chiropractic treatment for iliotibial band syndrome that is caused by excessive pronation or bone deformities. These issues can be addressed with supportive footwear, shoe inserts or other treatments.

7. Stretch the weak area before and after sports or exercise to prevent ITBS from recurring.

Tips & Warnings

• To treat iliotibial band syndrome, it is necessary to relieve pressure on the inflamed bursa that surrounds the ball joint. After restricted activity, ease back into your normal level of physical motion.
• If you're one of those patients who doesn't "like" ice, keep your gel ice packs in the fridge instead of the freezer. You shouldn't feel any cold discomfort, even when the pack is right next to your skin.
• Don't overuse your pain medication. Follow the prescribed dosage. If the medication doesn't work anymore, see your doctor. Iliotibial band syndrome sometimes requires steroid injections to treat the pain.

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