Abstract
Background
Iliotibial band syndrome is the leading cause of lateral knee pain in runners. Despite
its high prevalence, little is known about the biomechanics that lead to this syndrome.
The purpose of this study was to prospectively compare lower extremity kinematics
and kinetics between a group of female runners who develop iliotibial band syndrome
compared to healthy controls. It was hypothesized that runners who develop iliotibial
band syndrome will exhibit greater peak hip adduction, knee internal rotation, rearfoot
eversion and no difference in knee flexion at heel strike. Additionally, the iliotibial
band syndrome group were expected to have greater hip abduction, knee external rotation,
and rearfoot inversion moments.
Methods
A group of healthy female recreational runners underwent an instrumented gait analysis
and were then followed for two years. Eighteen runners developed iliotibial band syndrome.
Their initial running mechanics were compared to a group of age and mileage matched
controls with no history of knee or hip pain. Comparisons of peak hip, knee, rearfoot
angles and moments were made during the stance phase of running. Variables of interest
were averaged over the five running trials, and then averaged across groups.
Findings
The iliotibial band syndrome group exhibited significantly greater hip adduction and
knee internal rotation. However, rearfoot eversion and knee flexion were similar between
groups. There were no differences in moments between groups.
Interpretation
The development of iliotibial band syndrome appears to be related to increased peak
hip adduction and knee internal rotation. These combined motions may increase iliotibial
band strain causing it to compress against the lateral femoral condyle. These data
suggest that treatment interventions should focus on controlling these secondary plane
movements through strengthening, stretching and neuromuscular re-education.
Keywords
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Article info
Publication history
Published online: August 29, 2007
Accepted:
July 17,
2007
Received:
April 10,
2007
Identification
Copyright
© 2007 Elsevier Ltd. Published by Elsevier Inc. All rights reserved.
