By Dr Tony Setiobudi BMedSci, MBBS, MRCS, MMed (Ortho), FRCS (Ortho)
The Iliotibial Band, often referred to as the “IT Band’, is an important muscle that helps to extend, abduct, and rotate your hips. However, it is one of the most common places for sports injuries to occur. Endurance athletes such as long-distance runners and cyclists are more susceptible to getting IT band syndrome.
The most common cause of IT Band syndrome is due to overuse of the IT band. Wrong technique and improper stretching prior to exercise can lead to this syndrome.
Common treatments include ice, rest and stretching. Some targeted stretching and exercise can help treat the conditions. It can help ease or even prevent IT band syndrome by improving the flexibility and strengthening key muscles. This video shows some of the exercises you can do at home to treat the injury.
Dr Tony Setiobudi is an Orthopaedic & Spine Surgeon at Mount Elizabeth Hospital (Orchard), Singapore. He treats bone, joint, muscle and ligament problems in adults and children. He has a special interest in nerve compression and spine problems such as back & neck pain, scoliosis, kyphosis, spine tumor & infection, spinal cord injury, osteoporosis fracture, spinal stenosis and slipped disc.