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2013-12-16 10:42 AM

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Subject: Help regarding IT band
Hi. I know IT band problems have been discussed ad nauseam, so I apologize for any repeated questions but I wanted to get some specific advice.

Brief history. Never really had IT band problems in the past. Have done a full IM and several halves, so I have logged plenty of miles. Had a pretty good (for me) summer of running and increased my speed quite a bit, although not really by increasing mileage.

Early this fall I would occasionally feel (what I assume is) my IT band snapping or clicking over the bony part of the outside of my right knee. It didn't hurt before or after runs.Then on one run it started hurting about 2 miles in. By mile 3 it stopped me dead in my tracks. Excruciating pain. Stopped, stretched and tried to run again to get back home. I could only do a few seconds before the pain hit again. It even started radiating up the entire side of my leg and the outside of my hip became painful as well.

I've seen a chiro and a sports therapist. My hips were not too badly out of alignment. My IT band was extremely tight but the therapist got it loosened up, very painfully I might add. This was 1 week ago. I was advice with various stretches and strengthening exercises for my hip, specifically targeting the gluteus medius. I am doing these things daily.

Sorry for the long intro. I understand I may need to lay off running for 4-6 weeks and maybe longer. I'm okay with that. Well, not okay, but realize it must be done. I want to maintain other cardio activities as much as possible. I can cycle, elliptical and row without pain, but even sitting in a chair and bending and extending my leg I can still feel the IT band snapping over the knee. If I can do these activities without pain am I at a high risk of extending my recovery for running?

My concern is the snapping over the knee. My left side doesn't do that. Since my IT band has been loosened and I'm rolling and stretching multiple times daily, do I have possibly something else going on? Is the bursa under the band too inflamed? Could there be damage of some sort other than IT band that could cause the snapping?

I want to get healed of course, so I can get back to running, but I will go crazy if I can't stay in shape during this period. I will be swimming as well but I prefer the leg-related variety of activities.

Thanks for any advice.


2013-12-27 8:26 PM
in reply to: RazorTri

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Subject: RE: Help regarding IT band

While I can't tell you what exactly, it may very well be something other than the IT Band, since you stated you have been foam rolling and stretching daily.

When I had problems with my IT Band, foam rolling was a quick, easy solution.  Sure, I had to take two weeks off and simply foam roll, but it was solved and I was pain-free just from foam rolling and stretching alone.  I also had talked to two athletic trainers for college teams and one physical therapist, all of whom told me that foam rolling and stretching is the right way to go.

Sorry I can't tell you any more.  I just don't know myself.  But I can tell you it probably is something else other than just the IT band.

 

Let me know what happens, when and if you get diagnosed!

2013-12-27 8:26 PM
in reply to: RazorTri

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Member
166
1002525
Delco, PA
Subject: RE: Help regarding IT band

While I can't tell you what exactly, it may very well be something other than the IT Band, since you stated you have been foam rolling and stretching daily.

When I had problems with my IT Band, foam rolling was a quick, easy solution.  Sure, I had to take two weeks off and simply foam roll, but it was solved and I was pain-free just from foam rolling and stretching alone.  I also had talked to two athletic trainers for college teams and one physical therapist, all of whom told me that foam rolling and stretching is the right way to go.

Sorry I can't tell you any more.  I just don't know myself.  But I can tell you it probably is something else other than just the IT band.

 

Let me know what happens, when and if you get diagnosed!

2013-12-27 8:26 PM
in reply to: RazorTri

User image

Member
166
1002525
Delco, PA
Subject: RE: Help regarding IT band

While I can't tell you what exactly, it may very well be something other than the IT Band, since you stated you have been foam rolling and stretching daily.

When I had problems with my IT Band, foam rolling was a quick, easy solution.  Sure, I had to take two weeks off and simply foam roll, but it was solved and I was pain-free just from foam rolling and stretching alone.  I also had talked to two athletic trainers for college teams and one physical therapist, all of whom told me that foam rolling and stretching is the right way to go.

Sorry I can't tell you any more.  I just don't know myself.  But I can tell you it probably is something else other than just the IT band.

 

Let me know what happens, when and if you get diagnosed!

2013-12-30 2:49 PM
in reply to: C_Hassard

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NW Arkansas
Subject: RE: Help regarding IT band
Thanks for the response. I went to see an ART specialist. He did some tests and confirmed that the problem isn't the lateral meniscus, which was comforting.

He did some looking around and had me do some movements, which he recorded and showed me. It was very clear that my hip and glutes are not doing their jobs well, which is what most of my research had led me to believe. He's having me do a number of exercises to target the proper areas.

I'm able to cycle without seeming to irritate it. I even ran 2 miles the other day without any pain or discomfort. Was afraid to push it further. I'll continue to see the ART guy and do the strength work and hope it gets fixed.

I've had a number of minor nags over the last few years but this one is seemingly the hardest to get resolved.
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