Do I Have Iliotibial Band Syndrome?

Do you experience pain on the outer side of your knee, just above the joint?

Do you experience pain on the outer side of your knee, just above the joint, but does the pain go away after you warm up?

Do you feel a click, pop, or snap on the outside of your knee?

Do you experience burning, aching, or tenderness on the outside of your knee?

Do you experience warmth and redness on the outside of your knee?

Do you experience pain up and down your leg?

Based on your answers, it is unlikely that you have iliotibial band (IT band) syndrome. IT band syndrome usually involves a nagging pain on the outer part of your knee. It often occurs in running and other activities where you need to bend your knee repeatedly. Luckily, in your case, there seems to be no reason to be worried.

Based on your answers, you are displaying some signs related to iliotibial band (IT band) syndrome. The IT band is a thick bunch of fibers that runs from the outside of the hips to the outside of the thigh and knee down to the top of the shinbone. IT band syndrome occurs when the IT band gets too tight, which leads to pain around the knee and possibly swelling. The symptoms disappear with time and the right treatment, and surgery is often not needed. Because IT band syndrome is not the only cause of outer knee pain, your doctor may want to do an X-ray to rule out other underlying conditions.

Unfortunately, you are displaying the symptoms typically seen among individuals who have iliotibial band (IT band) syndrome. Normally, the bursa (a fluid-filled sac) helps the IT band glide over your knee as you move it (bend and straighten). However, if the IT band becomes too tight, bending the knee will create friction. The pain in your knee develops because the IT band and the bursa may both start swelling. If you do what your doctor recommends you to do and take the required rest, you may be able to recover from the syndrome in about 6 weeks.