The Athlete's Nemesis - Iliotibial Band Syndrome

Many runners are familiar with the popping sound in the knee that feels like stinging needles whenever their heel strikes the ground. With over 200,000 cases diagnosed in the US each year, Iliotibial Band Syndrome, or ITBS is a common overuse injury. Characterized by pain between the hip and knees on the outside of one or both legs, ITBS occurs when the ligament extending from the pelvis to the shin becomes so tight that it rubs against the femur, or thigh bone. Runners, cyclists, and weight lifters - people who frequently flex their knees and hips - will usually try to treat ITBS with rest, ice, stretching, or foam rolling, but these treatments do not address the underlying structural problem.

The IT band stabilizes the outside of the knee as it flexes and extends. If one leg is longer than the other, the pelvis is tilted, or someone has bowed legs, the IT band can be extremely tight leading to inflammation and pain when the knee moves. Runners may also experience IT band problems when they always run on the same side of the road, or run too many hills.

While icing, rest and massage may be the part of an ITBS recovery process, physical therapy New Haven can result in a permanent, structural fix. Musculoskeletal ultrasound, prolotherapy, and stretching and strengthening exercises may be prescribed in order to address the underlying causes of ITBS. Through these modalities, the structure of the hip and knee are stabilized and ITBS is treated at the source of the problem. For those who have an anatomical problem, shoe orthotics may be useful to correct leg-length discrepancies or a person's stride.

Many athletes are looking for a quick fix to their IT band problems. While most physical therapy patients fully recover from ITBS, it may take weeks or months. In the meantime, a doctor or physical therapist can suggest alternative physical activities that will not create inflammation in the IT band. These may include swimming, yoga, or weight training that does not aggravate the IT band.

ITBS is a frustrating part of many people's athletic experience, but it does not need to be permanent. With proper physical therapy Connecticut citizens can correct their underlying issue and get back on the road or in the gym, pain free.

New Physical Therapy Patients Have Tough But Rewarding Work Ahead of Them

Any patient diving into their first adventure to the world of physical therapy might not know what to expect. First, they are probably grateful and happy to have a name or diagnosis for their ailment, especially if that means they might avoid having to undergo surgery.

 However, of course, some patients do end up with a prescription for physical therapy New Haven, Connecticut after having had surgery. Either way, this effective course of treatment to get patients back into the swing of their lives as their injury heals.

What Is In Store for Patients Visiting a Physical Therapy Clinic?

Some patients have never visited a physical therapy Connecticut (PT) provider's facility — or perhaps they haven't visited many other medical offices — and might feel more confident about their upcoming treatment if they get a preview or a primer on what will happen during their first visit, as well as what they can expect from their treatment. 

Below are some basic bits of information about physical therapy and how it can help them:

• Patients Can Choose Their Physical Therapist. Primary care physicians recommend their first-choice physical therapy. Actually, the doctor can probably give the patient aseveral professionals' names, as long as those physical therapy professionals are in the patient's network of providers. Patients might choose their physical therapist based on proximity to work or based on word-of-mouth from a good friend, family member or colleague.

• The Patient's First Visit. Like any other healthcare visit, the first visit is largely focused on housekeeping, paperwork and discussions about the patient's expectations and hopes, as well as the physical therapist's goals. It is good to time for both to explore the points that diverge to see what sorts of compromises they can broker together. Physical therapists have the advantage of looking at — and deeply understanding the nature of the injury, as well — X-Rays and MRIs to see the full scope and extend of the damage to the area. PTs can see the spots that are weak and need restoration versus areas that are brittle and weak and need more gentle care.

• The Patient Will Receive a Lighter Therapy Session to Become Acquainted With the Physical Therapist. Even with all the bureaucratic matters during the first visit, physical therapist teams rarely want a patient to let a patient leave without providing some sort of treatment, so they might do some do some mild stretching, receive a massage or electrical stimulation.