What’s the best treatment for Iliotibial Band Syndrome (ITBS)?

It’s a common problem amongst runners.

ITB related pain can be due to tightness, a busitis, snapping or flicking of the band. Often symptoms develop after you have been running for a certain distance.

As Dr a Paul suggests, it would be worth being assessed, together with an ultrasound scan to look for a bursa or a gait analysis to check whether your running pattern might be contributing. In some patients, modifying this is all that is required, whereas for others, they might require a guided treatment.

I hope this helps.

Bw

Dr Dinesh

Thank you for asking this interesting question.

Like many things in medicine, there isn't one "best treatment". What is best for you is a doctor who will actually properly find out all the causes of your iliotibial band syndrome (ITBS) and target the treatment at all the causes of it.

Your best bet would be a sports medicine physician or a family physician with interest in sports medicine.

For example, if there is a difference in the leg length, it has to be corrected by insoles. If there are muscle group imbalances, they need to be corrected with physiotherapy or posture correction. Sometimes, if all else fails, you might need to undergo ultrasound treatment or steroid injections as well.

Take care and hope that you will find a doctor/physio to help you with your condition.