ITB Syndrome is a common overuse injury among runners and walkers that can occur as either mileage or training intensity increases.
The ITB is a thick band of fibrous fascia that runs down the outside of the thigh from the hip to the knee. It plays an important role in stabilising and controlling the knee as it bends and straightens.
ITB Syndrome presents as pain on the outside of the knee during and after running or walking. Typically, the knee is pain free at the start of a run but the pain can then come on quickly as the run progresses. The pain often diminishes after a relatively short period of rest, giving the false impression of recovery, but then flares up during the next exercise session. There is often, but not always, swelling at the knee joint associated with the pain.
ITB Syndrome occurs when the iliotibial band becomes irritated and inflamed as a result of catching on the end of the thigh bone as the knee bends repeatedly. As the band becomes inflamed it swells and consequently catches the bone more, thus exacerbating the problem.
In order to prevent the irritation of the ITB an Active650 ITB Support cradles the tissue to help reduce the catching. It also provides support to the area and reduces the stresses and irritations around the top of the knee joint. This serves to reduce the pain from existing ITB Syndrome, allows a faster return to exercise and can prevent episodes of ITB Syndrome returning in the future.