ILLIOTIBIAL BAND SYNDROME This band is one of the longest ligaments in the body, running from the hip on the lateral (outside) of the knee to the top of the tibia (lower leg bone). Normally the band slides back and forth over the knee. Occasionally, it rubs against the knee, causing friction. The result is irritation, inflammation, and pain. It is one of the worst injuries for runners and bikers. The most common causes of ITBS are leg length differences, running on hard surfaces, repetitious running on a slope, improper foot structure, worn-out shoes, increasing mileage or intensity too quickly, opposing muscle imbalances (especially quads versus hamstrings), and improper running form. The usual symptom is pain on the lateral side of the knee extending up the lateral side of the thigh as high as the hip. Treatment consists of wearing orthotics for over-pronation and for correcting the rotation between the femur and the tibia. Recovery is very slow and requires modification of the exercise program. The causes of the irritation need to be identified and training routes and times changed to prevent reoccurrences. You can also improve with massage therapy, H-wave , phonophoresis, iontophoresis ,stretching properly, NSAIDS, and capsaicin liniments with ice massage. Occasionally injections will be helpful, but , rarely is surgery indicated. Visit the ITBS Web site at http://www.sover.net/~sstryker/itbs.html