Up to 53% of people, especially those who are seriously interested in sports, face various pathologies of the musculoskeletal system. Diseases develop for many reasons, including major injuries, fractures, excessive stress on muscles and joints.
One of the most common diseases of the lower extremities is the iliotibial tract syndrome, which manifests itself in pain and stiffness of movements. It is necessary to deal with this pathology in a complex way and immediately, otherwise serious complications and an emergency operation are not excluded.
What is iliotibial tract syndrome?
The syndrome of the iliotibial tract is understood as a pathology in which there is an inflammatory process or rupture of the fascia located on the outer surface of the thighs. This disease leads to serious disorders in the hip region and complicates a person's life.
Doctors refer to the features of pathology:
- pronounced symptoms, characterized by pain and difficulty in movement;
- rapid progression of the disease;
- requires long-term and complex therapy.
With a timely diagnosis and treatment started, the prognosis is favorable.
Causes of the disease
Basically, professional athletes face the iliotibial tract syndrome, since it is they who have increased loads on the lower limbs and regular exhausting training.
The main reasons leading to this pathology are called by orthopedists and therapists:
- Regular and excessive stress on the leg muscles.
At risk:
- runners;
As noted by orthopedists, 67% of runners develop iliotibial tract syndrome, as they systematically run different distances and overextend their calf muscles.
- cyclists;
- volleyball players;
- basketball players;
- football players and others.
Note: in general, at risk are all athletes who have a constant load on their lower limbs during training and competition.
- Injuries received, in particular, muscle strains, tendon ruptures, dislocations.
- Congenital disorders of the musculoskeletal system, for example:
- hallux valgus;
- flat feet;
- lameness.
In a person with congenital lower extremities, when walking, there is an uneven load on the muscles and joints.
- Not an active enough lifestyle.
At risk:
- bedridden patients;
- obese people;
- passive citizens who disregard the recommendations to regularly walk and play sports;
- people forced to sit for 8-10 hours, for example, office workers, cashiers and others.
Congenital or acquired muscle weakness.
When a person has weak muscles, then with any load there is increased pressure on the knee joints, which in turn can lead to the development of iliotibial tract syndrome.
Symptoms of pathology
Any person who develops such a pathology is faced with a number of characteristic symptoms.
Among the most important:
Pain in the knee joints and hips.
In 85% of cases, pain syndrome occurs when:
- running or walking;
- performing any leg exercise;
- lifting and carrying weights.
In a neglected form, pain syndrome is present even during rest and sleep.
- Crunching kneecaps, especially on waking.
- Swelling in the knees and hip joints.
- Inability to fully straighten the leg or walk.
The more severe the iliotibial tract syndrome occurs, the more pronounced the symptoms become.
Diagnostic methods
It is impossible to independently diagnose the iliotibial tract syndrome, since the pathology has similar symptoms of the course with other diseases of the musculoskeletal system. Only orthopedists, together with therapists and neurologists, can accurately identify the disease, as well as determine in what form it is.
To make a diagnosis, doctors resort to:
- Full examination of the patient.
- Palpation of the kneecaps and hip joints.
- Feeling the fascia with your hands.
- X-rays of the knee and hip joints.
- Blood and urine tests.
Basically, the patient is given a referral for a general analysis of urine and blood.
- MRI and ultrasound.
Magnetic resonance imaging and ultrasound are used when the doctor doubts the diagnosis or it is required to clarify whether there are concomitant disorders in the musculoskeletal system.
Also, in order to correctly diagnose, doctors need a complete picture of the course of the disease. Experts ask the patient about the nature of the pain and other symptoms, the duration of their course, when the person first felt discomfort, and so on.
Only the collection of all the information allows you not to make a mistake and correctly determine what kind of pathology a person has, and most importantly, what kind of treatment you need to resort to.
Treatment of iliotibial tract syndrome
After the diagnosis of the iliotibial tract syndrome is made, the patient is selected for treatment, depending on:
- the severity of the identified pathology;
- the nature of the pain;
- features of the knee caps and hip joints;
- contraindications;
- existing diseases;
- age group of the patient.
In general, if the syndrome of the iliotibial tract is not in an advanced form, and the person does not suffer from unbearable and poorly controlled pain, then a course is prescribed:
- Pain relieving ointments, injections and pills.
- Anti-inflammatory drugs.
- Physiotherapeutic procedures, for example, magnetotherapy, which enhances blood circulation, accelerates cartilage and articular recovery.
- Laser beam treatment.
With iliotibial tract syndrome, laser treatment is used when the patient has severe pain and swelling in the kneecaps.
- Compresses. Doctors admit that the patient makes compresses on his own and at home.
Basically, such patients are recommended:
- salty compresses. To do this, dissolve 2 - 3 tablespoons of table salt in a glass of warm water. Then moisten a terry cloth in the solution and apply in the desired area. Wrap everything on top with cling film and leave for 20 minutes.
- soda compresses. They are made by analogy, like salted ones, only 200 milliliters of water requires two teaspoons of baking soda.
The duration of treatment is prescribed by doctors, they also establish a drug intake regimen and specific procedures that are acceptable for the patient.
Surgical intervention
For patients with diagnosed iliotibial tract syndrome, surgical treatment is indicated when:
- inflammatory processes of the fascia are not removed by potent drugs;
- the pain syndrome has become permanent and unbearable;
- the person did not seek medical help for a long time, as a result of which the pathology spilled over into the last stage.
Doctors fight the disease to the last and try to get by with an inoperable method of treatment.
In a situation where the patient is indicated for an operation, the person is routinely hospitalized, after which:
- doctors take all required tests;
- repeat ultrasound and MRI of the knee and hip joints;
- appoint the day of the operation.
During the operation, the bursa is removed or plastic of the iliotibial tract is performed.
Physiotherapy
It is impossible for people with diagnosed iliotibial tract syndrome to completely recover and recover without therapeutic exercises.
She is appointed by orthopedists and only after:
- passing a course of physiotherapy procedures;
- the end of taking all prescribed tablets and ointments;
- significant or complete elimination of puffiness and pain.
Basically, all gymnastic exercises for this disease are aimed at strengthening the hip muscles and developing the knee joints.
In general, patients are prescribed:
1. Support squats.
A person should:
- stand straight with your back to the wall;
- put your feet shoulder-width apart;
- descend smoothly to the knee line;
- fix your body for 2 - 3 seconds in this position;
- smoothly take the starting position.
2. Jumping rope.
3. Cross swings.
Required:
- take a chair with a back;
- stand to the chair with your face and hands hold on to its back;
- tear off your right leg from the ground to a height of 25 - 30 centimeters;
- swing the leg first forward, then backward, and then in different directions.
Swings are done 15 times on each leg.
Rehabilitation of the iliotibial tract syndrome
After undergoing a course of treatment, a person needs rehabilitation of the iliotibial tract syndrome, which includes:
- Limiting physical activity on the knee and hip joints.
- Refusal to train for 30 - 60 days.
In isolated cases, doctors may prohibit sports at all.
- Wearing only orthopedic shoes with special insoles.
- Regularly performing special gymnastic exercises aimed at developing the muscles of the thighs.
A detailed rehabilitation course is prescribed by the attending physician.
Consequences and possible complications
Iliotibial tract syndrome is a rather serious pathology that can lead to a number of consequences.
Among the main orthopedists are:
- Constant crunching of kneecaps while walking and upon waking.
- Recurrent pain in the hip joints.
In 75% of patients, such pain occurs during the weather, especially when there is a cold snap, after infectious diseases, and also when the climate changes.
- Lameness.
Lameness is noted only in 2% of cases and if complex treatment was not started on time or the operation was unsuccessful.
In addition, not taken treatment in time can lead to a number of complications:
- muscle weakness in the knee and hip joints;
- the inability to further walk a long distance without discomfort or pain in the lower extremities;
- periodic swelling of the kneecaps.
Any complications and negative consequences will be reduced to zero if treatment is started on time.
Preventive measures
To reduce the risk of developing iliotibial tract syndrome, orthopedists recommend preventive measures.
Among the most important:
- Moderate physical activity on the knee and hip joints.
- Warm up before the main workout.
During the warm-up, it is recommended to place great emphasis on warming up the calf muscles.
- Never lift heavy objects abruptly, especially from a sitting position.
- When performing any sports exercise, observe the correct technique for its implementation.
- If you have flat feet, then train only in special shoes with orthopedic insoles.
- Never go to a sports activity if a leg was injured or there was discomfort in the lower extremities the day before.
- Always wear and do your workouts in comfortable shoes that do not overpress the leg and provide an even load on the foot.
- Contact an orthopedist immediately, as soon as the first pain symptoms appear in the knee and hip joints.
It is also important to always increase physical activity gradually and exercise under the supervision of specialists. Iliotibial tract syndrome is a serious condition that often occurs in athletes, especially runners and cyclists.
This disease develops quickly, accompanied by pain, crunching in the knees and the inability to move fully. Treatment is selected after a complete examination, and only surgical intervention is prescribed in complex and neglected forms.
Blitz - tips:
- start therapy only when doctors diagnosed a pathology and selected a treatment;
- it is important to understand that if an operation is indicated, then you should not refuse it, otherwise you can become disabled;
- it is worth starting and ending the workout with a simple warm-up.
