IT Band

Our user asked: "I have been training for a 10K run and after a long jog, I started having pain in my left thigh, from my hip to my knee, and the next morning couldn't walk without limping. After taking a few days it off it was okay but the same thing happened the following week. I took two weeks off from running but I still want to do the race. I started running again, short distances. The pain hasn't been as bad but it is still there, along with occasional spasms in my calf muscle. I think I may have strained my IllioTibial band. I know that strenghtening my hip flexors and improving my balance can prevent an ITB injury, but will doing that now help aleviate it? Will continuing to run on my sore leg cause any more damage? Should I be waiting for the muscle to heal completely? Can I start doing exercises to strengthen my hip flexors now or should I wait until the pain subsides?"

Ask a PT Response: "ITB syndrome usually results in symptoms at the lateral (outside) aspect of the knee and/or leg. Pain at the thigh from the hip to knee may be something different. With any injury, rest is usually recommended followed by activity modification. From what you mentioned, you have rested and modified your activity to running short distances yet you continue to experience sx. It may not be a good idea to continue with your current course of action. Usually when a runner sustains a strain, I would recommend the runner to progress from a stationary bike, to elliptical, to running short periods, to running extended distances/duration, to training distances. Strengthening exercises along with strethcing, postural/functional training, manual therapy and modalities are usually performed as well to further facilitate the healing process and return to prior level of function. Continuing to run and train as usual when injured is usually not recommended as this could result in further injury, postural/functional compensation and injury to other areas as a result of compensatory patterns. Since you have been experiencing these symptoms for awhile now, it may be a good idea to consult with a PT to determine what is actually injured and to obtain a plan of care based on your findings. That way, you may be able to optimize your chances for being able to return to training and actually competing in the marathon. Good luck. "