How is iliotibial band syndrome diagnosed?
Iliotibial band syndrome often has the following characteristics: -pain over the outside (lateral side) of the knee -worsened by running, especially on hills and banked surfaces -recent long runs or increases in training -worsened by stairs On physical exam, a physician may find the following: -tenderness over the lateral epicondyle of the femur – pain reproduced at 30 degrees of knee flexion while placing pressure on the lateral epicondyle and bringing the knee from flexion into extension -bowed knees (genu varum) -Iliotibial band tightness -lack of findings on physical exam that would point towards another cause of the pain Imaging is often not needed to make the diagnosis. However, if there is concern for other problems, x-rays and/or MRI may be ordered. X-rays would rule out underlying bone problems, such as arthritis and would also show the degree of “bowing” of the knees. MRI would rule out other potential causes of pain in this location, such as a lateral meniscus tear. An MRI m
