What is the syndrome of the band or bead iliotibial?
Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS) is a common overuse injury affecting young basketball players, especially those involved in intense training schedules or repetitive running and jumping. Characterized by pain on the outside of the knee, this condition often appears when there is poor flexibility, muscle imbalance, or a sudden increase in physical load. In this article, we explain what causes IT Band Syndrome, how to recognize it early, and what strategies coaches and parents can apply to help prevent it in youth athletes.
What is a band or a banner iliotibial?
The band or bead iliotibial is a tissue that runs along the outer side of the leg part from the ilium to reach below the knee (tibia). This fibrous band is made up of other tissues that are part of other muscles. These fibers mentioned that make up the banner are the aponeurosis of the gluteus, the tendon fibers of the tensor of the fascia lata, and part of the tendon of the gluteus maximus.
Common causes of the syndrome of the band or bead iliotibial
The most common cause of the irritation of the iliotibial band (itb) is often related to an excess of activity (overload), which often suffer cyclists, swimmers and runners (triathletes).
How does this irritation?
The common causes are usually due to:
- Excessive increase in physical activity.
- Career technical bit refined
- Run long on slopes (mostly downhill).
- Stabilizing muscles of the hip, weak
- Little variability in the direction of the race (see runners at athletics track) or on the side of the road or the shoulder beach.
- Footwear is not appropriate
- Little flexibility
In addition, there are also anatomical factors that come into play such as:
- Excessive pronation of the foot
- Tendency to the internal rotation of the knees, resulting in adduction of the hip, also known as genu valgus (knees pulled in) or genu varus (bowed legs).
- Hyperextension of the knee (knee, back)
- Cavus foot
- Noticeable difference in the length of the legs
Diagnosis of the syndrome of the band or bead iliotibial
How to know if you have it band syndrome or banner iliotibial?
The pain is located on the lateral side of the knee. The pain is annoying but bearable. The iliotibial band (itb) may be rigid and irritated in their displacement in the movements of flexion and extension of the knee. Occasionally, there may also be pain in the hip area.
In the case of an x-ray will come out normal and it will be necessary to be able to differentiate it from other lesions.
Below we offer information on what to do when you have already produced the ankle sprain.
In the first part, the rehabilitation, and in the second, the exercises to perform, which also serve as a prevention.
Treatment and rehabilitation
The treatment is usually almost always be non-interventionist.
The first thing you must do is to have a period of rest to reduce inflammation and aligererar overload.
Of course, it is imperative to visit a physical therapist. Will help with stretching and with local therapies such as ultrasound and electrical stimulation.
The athlete may be able to do a 10-day treatment with anti-inflammatory medication taking the necessary precautions.
Also the ice massage, 2-3 times a day, applied at the outer edge of the knee will help to reduce the inflammation.
In order to prevent future relapses, the athlete should work on fortification of the stabilizing muscles of the hip.
Back to the action
To return to the action, the athlete will have had to take uyn recovery period ranging between 6 and 12 weeks.
When the pain is negligible or minimum in the day-to-day will be the indication that he can return to physical activity.
There will be (re-)work on the technique (whether it’s career, swimming or cycling).
It is advisable to carry out some considerations biomechanical to limit the tendency to this injury. To do this we recall some of the common causes that above quote that can produce the syndrome of l iliotibial band (itb).
When the athlete returns to training, you need to incorporate in your routine stretching of the iliotibial band. Of course, the return of the action will be progressive and will take a control of training load.
Note: this article is only intended to be informational use. In any case self-diagnose. If you suffer from any medical condition, we recommend that you go to your physical therapy clinic of confidence.
Cedric Arregui Guivarch
National Coach of Basketball (CES 2014)
Webgrafía
https://www.fisioterapia-online.com/glosario/banda-o-cintilla-iliotibial
